pieni
lankafestivaali
4–5 September 2026
Pohjankartano School, Oulu
Open
Friday 5-8 PMSaturday 10 AM-4 PM
info
Pieni Lankafestivaali [small yarn festival] is a craft event held in Oulu for the second time. The festival is a celebration of creativity and community! Entry to the event area is free.
This colourful two-day event offers visitors everything from professional craft lectures to a handcraft rave. It also features the yarn market, a shared handicraft corner for festival visitors, a community lane, and textile art.
Held on the first weekend of September, this free event brings craft enthusiasts of every skill level and age together under one roof to learn and be inspired.
Pieni Lankafestivaali is part of the Oulu Days programme.
values
Pieni Lankafestivaali is committed to promoting equality by embracing diversity, ensuring a safer space, and striving for accessibility. The festival is open to everyone, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, physical or psychological traits, language, or level of experience.
We believe that diversity enriches the heritage of crafts, equality guarantees fair participation for all, and inclusion creates a safe environment where everyone can showcase their creativity and skills.
Crafting belongs to everyone, whether you are an experienced artisan or a beginner. We aim to create a warm and welcoming event where anyone can participate, explore what the festival has to offer, or simply knit and enjoy the atmosphere.
program
The list is still growing; a detailed schedule will be published later.
festival & market open
- Friday Sept 4
- 5-8 PM
- Saturday Sept 5
- 10 AM-4 PM
courses
- Buy ticket
Friday Sept 4 · 5:00–6:00 PM
Lady Domina - the secrets of yarn dominance
Host: MinskuKnits
Yarn dominance in stranded colourwork, and what it means for how a motif turns out. How on earth do you knit yarn dominance, and how do you choose the dominant yarn? Bring yarns in a few colours and your needles; you can cast on in advance if you like. The classroom will be announced closer to the event in the Pieni Lankafestivaali program and schedule.
The course runs with 4 participants; the maximum is 14. The course is conducted in Finnish.
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Saturday Sept 5 · 1:00–2:00 PM
Mini ryijy rug
Host: Novasalo
On this course you will make your own small ryijy rug with guidance, using a quick and easy technique and no complicated tools. We work with thick materials using nothing but our fingers. There is a yarn buffet, a ready-made base to start from, and written instructions if you want them. Let your creativity bloom and make a unique piece of art that also puts recycled materials to use. All skill levels are welcome and the course suits beginners too. The exact location will be announced closer to the event in the Pieni Lankafestivaali program and schedule.
Festival offer, now only 25 € (normally 35 €)! Card payment on site.
The workshop is drop-in, so no advance registration is needed. Please note that materials are limited. The workshop is conducted mainly in Finnish.
- Buy ticket
Saturday Sept 5 · 2:00–3:00 PM
Knitting for beginners
Host: Selkosilmukat
An excellent course for anyone curious about the basics of knitting, and for those who would like to refresh their memory. In one hour we go through casting on, knit and purl stitches, and binding off. Yarn and needles are lent to participants for the duration of the course. You also get a plain-language pattern to take home, so it is easy to keep practising. The classroom will be announced closer to the event in the Pieni Lankafestivaali program and schedule.
The course runs with 5 participants; the maximum is 10. The course is conducted mainly in Finnish.
free area program
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Collaborative yarn artwork
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Community lane
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Textile art
afterparty
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Saturday Sept 5 · 7:00 PM
Kässäreivit [Handcraft rave] - the official afterparty
The official Pieni Lankafestivaali afterparty is held at Puistokahvila Makia, with music by DJ Lara Kaaos. Free entry, and the venue is accessible.
market vendors
contact & social
venue
Pohjankartano School
Leevi Madetojan katu 1, 90140 Oulu
getting here
Pohjankartano School is conveniently located within walking distance of Oulu’s railway station and city centre, and can be easily reached on foot, by public transport, or by car.
Parking is on the south side of Pohjankartano School, by the Madetojan Sali concert venue.
Coming from the city centre by bike or on foot, the main door is on the Suvantokatu side, next to Karjasilta library.
accessibility
Arrival
There are two accessible parking spaces under the canopy in the school’s inner courtyard. The distance from the parking spaces to the entrance is less than 10 m, and the route to the entrance is level.
There is a canopy above the entrance, and the door has an automatic opening button.
Mobility
The 1st floor facilities at Pohjankartano are mostly accessible. There are accessible pathways to the entrance halls, auditoriums, and restaurant areas.
Upper floors can be reached by elevator, and the door opens automatically.
Accessible restroom
The accessible restroom is located a bit further down the school corridor, but on the same level as the entrance hall. You can find signs in the entrance hall area, located near the ceiling, which are black and white in colour.
The accessible restroom has support rails on both sides of the toilet and includes a changing table suitable for baby diaper changes.
Fragrance-free
Please kindly consider other event visitors and avoid using strong fragrances.
Signage
Pohjankartano’s information signs are in Finnish, but the accessible restroom is also marked with a pictorial disability symbol.
Pieni Lankafestivaali has its own information desk in the lower lobby, where you can find the venue map and any other information you need.
Sensory sensitivities
You can find quiet and calmer areas in the event spaces compared to the main hall, which we aim to keep dimmer in lighting as well. In the corridor where the accessible restroom is located, you will find a small alcove that you can recognise by its colourful seating. All quiet areas are marked on the map, which you can find at the info desk.
The centre of the event in the main hall and around the stage is lit with ceiling lights and through the windows surrounding the hall. There are no flashing lights at the event.
In the main hall and around the stage, the ceiling height is three storeys high, which adds to the feeling of spaciousness and brightness.
The yarn market vendor spots are located against the windows of the main hall, where the ceiling height is considerably lower. In these areas, for example, sound echoing is minimal.
General restrooms
In the immediate vicinity of the main hall there are women’s and men’s restrooms. The facilities include several sinks and a number of separate toilet stalls.
A gender-neutral restroom can be found in the corridor near the community lane, following the accessible restroom signs.
