Homespun Yarn Party

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Friday, March 25, 2011

Where we'll be!

Savage Mill is a super cute old complex that was once a fiber mill. It's got spinning areas, carding areas, weaving areas, and a cotton shed. You can read more about the history and renovation here. It's the perfect venue to hold us and our fiber fanatics!

Savage is just north of Laurel - directions are provided on their website here. It's pretty convenient from I-95, right off Rt 32.



Once you're at the mill, we'll be in the Great Room. There are maps around once you're in the door, so it shouldn't be hard to find us! Parking is easiest in the west lot - it gets pretty crowded in the closer lots! We encourage people to arrive throughout the day - our vendors will have great stuff all day and we'll be announcing new door prizes every hour.




(view bigger map here!)


Also, take some time to check out all the great antiques and furniture! There's a used book store, craft and scrapbooking stores, a pottery shop with yarn bowls, the Noni studio, and more to see! If you get hungry, there are plenty of options! Save room for a delicious french pastry at Bonapartes! If the weather is nicer than expected, go for (or send your family on) a walk on the Savage Mill Trail!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Sirona Labs

1. What is your website?
Sironalabs.com

Sirona Science


2. What do you make?
I make instantly-absorbing natural soothing skin care products, mineral cosmetics, and
perfumes.

3. How did you get into making stuff?
I started out as a soap maker. My dad was diagnosed with aggressive thyroid cancer,
and was going to be treated with an extremely high dosage of radiation. He asked me
to make him a cream to remedy his expected radiation burns. He gave me 3 months in
which to do this. Please understand, asking a soap maker to make a healing skin cream
was much like asking a licensed driver to build you a working spacecraft. After teaching
myself the basics of lotion making, lightening struck and Sirona Original Moisturizing
Crème was created. Sirona Labs is now proud to announce the addition of Sirona Argan V,
a natural, vegetarian alternative to Sirona Original, which contains Emu oil.

4. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
I love the beautiful and unique things that people create with their hands. My mom is
a knitter as were both my grandmothers. I’ve always admired their sweaters but felt so
badly for them when their hands would tire and chap. It brings me great joy when my mom
or other fiber crafters use my Moisturizing Crème to soothe their achy joints and dried
skin from overwork.

5. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
There’s nothing like the feeling of knowing I created something that helped someone
else feel better. Whether it’s relieving aches and pains with Sirona Moisturizing Crème,
improving confidence by helping someone’s inner beauty shine through with Sirona cosmetics, or delighting the senses with my perfumes, my crafting feeds my soul in a way
no other thing ever has.

6. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
There is no failure, there are only experiences that pave your way to success.

The Crooked Elm

1. What is your website?
thecrookedelm.com
Crooked Elm Ravelry Pattern Store
Etsy Shop

2. Your Ravelry username?
alianthe

Crooked Elm


3. What do you make?
I design and write knitwear (and occasionally crochet) patterns, and also make stitch markers, row counters, and slighty quirky office accessories like abacus bracelets, badge holders, lanyards, and jewelry suitable for office wear. I am in the process of putting up how-to videos for knitting and crochet techniques, to spread the gift of fiber artistry around.

4. How did you get into making stuff?
From the time I could stack a couple of blocks together, I've never not made stuff. For me, creation isn't something I do so much as something I am. From childhood, my grandmother and mother taught me a wide variety of crafts, and I always loved working with my hands. When I grew older, I realized I had a talent for design - my degree and
first career is actually in civil engineering. I bring the same principles to both infrastructure design and fiber arts - the key to human success above every other animal is that we are the only ones who change our environments to suit ourselves rather than adapting ourselves to suit our environments. What we build and surround
ourselves with is important. Beauty in the every day world is important. So, the things I make are about creating beauty that works, and a better immediate environment for our soft and vulnerable selves. Beyond that, creation has always been very soothing to me. I am a person who always feels the need to be accomplishing something, and so
for me there was always great appeal in the meditative qualities of quilting or knitting or crochet. It keeps my hands busy and my whole self engaged in a literally constructive act, which allows my mind to relax, and gives me time to process and mull on the things that have been going on in my world.

Crooked Elm


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
Everyone is so friendly and supportive of one another. It's quite refreshing to be in a group of people who all appreciate the importance of the work of one's hands, and whose main uniting focus is the love of and delight in beauty and texture and color.

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
I make incremental beauty in the world, and in small ways, that influences everything. Doing good little things and sending them out into the world makes other good little things happen out in the world, like dropping a stone in a pond makes ripples in the surface a long way away. I make physical embodiments of love and caring and warmth
for the people I love to carry around, so they will get to feel good more often and smile more often. Every time my best friend puts on the hand warmers I made her, she feels warmer AND she remembers that I care about her. She might be having a stressy day, but I'll bet it makes her smile a little every time, and whoever she smiles at is
perhaps a little bit happier than they would have been otherwise, too. I make patterns so that other people can make physical embodiments of their love for their loved ones to carry around, and the ripples go a little further. I think this makes me a happier person than I would otherwise be, and I think it makes the world a little nicer, which in turn makes my life a little nicer in perhaps unexpected or seemingly unrelated ways.

Crooked Elm


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
It's okay to reinvent yourself, as many times as you need to. It's scary, but it's worth it.

Mid Valley Fibers

1. What is your website?
midvalleyfibers.com
midvalleyfibers.etsy.com

2. Your Ravelry username?
linspins

3. What do you make?
Handspun yarns from local alpaca and wools; handknit accessories including shawls, scarves, neckwarmers, fingerless mitts and hats; angels from unspun wool and knitting patterns and kits.

4. How did you get into making stuff?
I've been knitting since the age of 8. My elegant, tall, gorgeous aunt taught me. I wanted to be just like her. I achieved the knitting goal, but the didn't make it to 6' tall and thin! Oh well, I love the art of knitting and added spinning about 20 years ago so that I could go from their backs (the animals) to mine.

5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
I've met so many people through fibers in the last few years. Through my local knit groups and fiber guilds I've had a chance to share techniques and learn so many new techniques that I did not have access to when I was a solitary knitter for so many years. I've also met many fiber producers and really enjoy learning more about the animals and what it takes to make a good yarn from the farm. I have any fiber producer friends and let them know that as a fiber consurmer I really appreciate the hard work it takes to produce good fiber fleeces.

midvalley2

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
Seven years ago my grandson was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. I had the chance to be his primary daycare provider and daytime caregiver. Since he slept so much, I had the chance to knit furiously and after gifting so much I turned to offering my handknits to public. I donate a portion of the proceeds to Cystic Fibrosis research in honor of my grandson, Noah. (He's doing quite well with all the new respiratory therapies, drug therapies and new preventative regimens that have been developed in the last 15-20 years.) In addition to the CF aspect, I've had the chance to develop patterns and teach both knitting and spinning in the last two years and look forward to more opportunities for these.

7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
I fell in love with alpaca several years ago when I made friends with a local alpaca producer. She got me involved in a new fiber guild, invited me to help out when they sheared their animals and just generally encouraged me to work with alpaca fiber. Since then I've become involved with the Maryland Alpaca Breeders Association and have made many friends through this group. The educational seminars that groups like this put on are invaluable to fiber artists and I highly recommend and encourage others to make friends with fiber producers of all types. The more you learn about the fiber and how it is produced, the better you understand the fibers and how to create yarn and garments appropriate to those fibers.

midvalley3

Wild Hare Fibers

1. What is your website?
wildharefiber.com
Etsy Shop

2. Your Ravelry username?
wildharefiber

Wild Hare Fibers


3. What do you make?
I spin, dye, knit, crochet, felt and weave... if it involves yarn or fiber I've probably tried it, as I love to experiment, learn new things and combine techniques. In my booth, you will find handspun art yarns and hand-dyed yarns and fibers for spinning and felting.

4. How did you get into making stuff?
My great-grandmother taught me to crochet, sew and embroider when I was pre-school age -- I've been making things my entire life. She didn't spin, but had her great-grandmother's flax wheel, and I would play with it, and dream of creating my own yarns from raw wool. I've now been spinning 20 years, focusing on art yarns in the last five.

Wild Hare Fibers


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
I love the vitality and excitement -- there are so many new people learning and falling in love with knitting, spinning and other fiber arts. The creativity and enthusiasm is intoxicating!

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
What I do and what I make and 'the rest' of my life are like warp and weft -- integrated and vital to one another. I'm a fiber artist and a mother. Having my own business gives me flexibility to be there when my children need me, sets an example of self-reliance for them, and makes me a happier person and therefore better parent. Being able to pursue my passion for fiber arts is a blessing that I am most thankful for.

Wild Hare Fibers


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
'Wild Hare' refers to craziness, not bunny hair. It's from an old saying based on male hare's antics to impress the females, and was used to describe someone who does something unexpected or out of character -- I chose it as my shop name to express my creative, no-rules approach to fiber arts.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Alpacas of Maryland at Peace Hollow Farm

1. What is your website? and email?
www.alpacasofmaryland.com
alpacasofmaryland@yahoo.com

2. Your Ravelry.com username?
alpacasofmaryland

Alpacas of MD


3. Where are you located?
Westminster, MD

4. What do you make?
We make alpacas! We breed them for their ultra soft fine warm fleece and have it spun into yarn. We also have the raw fleeces available for spinning.

Alpacas of MD


5. Do you make fiber/yarn/etc. full-time?
Yes

6. How did you get into making stuff?
We started with the alpacas, then after a short lesson, I practiced spinning for two years, and after that learned knitting and crocheting. I'm still very new at both, but am finishing my first feather and fan pattern scarf.

7. How long have you been doing this?
Been raising alpacas for over five years. Spinning for two years, and knitting and crocheting for about two months.

Alpacas of MD


8. Where do you find inspiration?
The wonderful soft yarn from my own animals is so inspiring. I love the natural color, and knowing which animal I am working with is very special.. I'm also inspired by the people in this whole fiber community.. It's as though a whole new group of very kind folks have appeared in my life just when I can really appreciate them.

9. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
Sometimes the opening of a life path happens in the most subtle way. After falling in love with the farm that we eventually bought, we fell in love with alpacas. That has led us to the most wonderful experiences and life style we could imagine. I'm raising these peaceful loving animals every day and hopefully learning to create things of beauty. Life just keeps giving surprising gifts in abundance.

Avalon Springs Farm

1. What is your website?
avalonspringsfarm.com
Avalon Springs Farm blog

2. Your Ravelry username?
AvalonSprings

Avalon Springs Farm


3. What do you make?
I make several kinds of yarn -- handspun, cottage spun and hand-dyed. I also make specialty packs of dyed locks, felt and roving.

4. How did you get into making stuff?
I was an Art teacher for 12 years. My whole life long, I don't think I've ever stopped making stuff. However, more specifically about fiber -- about 15 years ago I got a small group of weathered male angora goats and named them all after different knights of King Arthur's round table. That was the beginning of Avalon Springs Farm, and my love of fiber art, but making yarn and roving is a little more recent.

Avalon Springs Farm


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
That it really is a community. What a lovely group of people. Between the couple of e-groups like Rav. and Phatfiber, local shows, other fiber farms, and a few loyal customers I really do see a define group. And, it is a warm, inviting, enthusiastic group!

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
I am so happy being a fiber art person. I loved teaching because I loved the vibrant evolving connection to the kids. But, now - I feel so fulfilled making and creating directly myself. Working with color and texture, the fiber is my canvass, nothing is better!

Avalon Springs Farm


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
This show comes just on the heels of a very exciting time on our farm -- kidding season! This was a super year. Everyone arrived happy healthy and full of life. We've had nine baby goats born so far, and one set of triplets (kind of unusual for Angoras). My family loves to watch them play, lovingly hold them, and name them - we never tire of it; its really a blast.

Wullenstudio

1. What is your website?
knitswithsticks.com

2. Your Ravelry username?
SheilaR

Two Ravelry Groups: Sheila Rovelstad Designs and Knitting Behind Bars

Sheila Rovelstad - Wullenstudio


3. What do you make?
Hand-dyed sock yarns, sterling silver and semi-precious stone stitch markers.

4. How did you get into making stuff?
I have always done it for myself, I went into business when I retired and started dying sock yarn to keep myself in interesting sock yarns, but kept selling it to my friends before I could knit it up!

Sheila Rovelstad - Wullenstudio


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
I am always so pleased at the generosity of the local fiber community. The community keeps our "Knitting Behind Bars" program at the Men's prison in Jessup in yarn and knitting needles. They come through whenever we are in need of supplies. They also have come through with over 3,000 books, including a full law library for the inmates. It blows me away! We teach our guys to "pay it forward" when it comes to knitting. We use what the knitting community is doing for them as an example!

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
First, making what I want stirs my creativity. But I also listen to my customers. They let me know what colors they are dreaming about, and I love to come up with the yarns to paint their dreams.

Then , I love the serenity knitting brings to my life. My friend Lynn and I take that love of knitting and the resulting serenity, to teach self control, sharing and creativity to the inmates we teach in our program. After a year and a half we still get a great deal of satisfaction from this program.

Sheila Rovelstad - Wullenstudio


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
Do what you love, love what you do!. I knit, therefore, I rock!

Sponsor: Noni Patterns

1. What is your website? Email?
nonipatterns.com
nora@nonipatterns.com

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
my name on Rav is nonibags
I have a few groups that are dedicated to Noni: Noni Designs, Love Noni Patterns, and Noni Bags & Flowers

3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
Noni is located in the Savage Mill, Carding Studio 108: one flight up from bonaparte bakery and down the hall. I am in the studio Monday through Friday from about 10 am until 5pm. My studio doubles as a little shop and gallery of Noni, but it is a working studio, so some days I’ve got the latest project spread out all over the teaching table, and some days it looks more boutique-ish. There is always something interesting to look at: I have the full line of Noni patterns on display. Any bags and garments that are not out visiting other yarn stores are on display as well, some come and browse the samples, patterns, and yarn.

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
I specialize in felting yarn and the supplies to make the bags: stiffener, bag feet, closures. I carry my own pattern line and Stonehedge Fiber Mill’s Shepherd’s Wool, the entire palette, plus Tilli Tomas Flurres, as well as an assortment of other felting yarns.

5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open your business?
My studio has been open for a little over a year, but Noni has been in business 6 years this August 19, 2011.

6. What's your favorite thing about having your business?
My shop is specialized, obviously, with a focus mainly on offering patterns and supplies for felted bags, flowers, and accessories. I love to teach and am in the process of developing an education program for the studio. That’s my favorite part. . . And I like meeting people from all different parts of the country who get excited about felting.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sponsor: Stitches South/XRX Inc.



1. What is your website? Email?
We can be found online at two places: knittinguniverse.com and knitalk.com
To contact us via email, use customerservice@knittinguniverse.com for any questions.
The latest news with us can be found on each of our Facebook pages and do not require an account to see them:
facebook.com/XRXBooks
facebook.com/KnittersMagazine
facebook.com/STITCHESExpos

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
We participate in various groups:
Knitter's Magazine is moderated by Molly, the Operations Manager
Think Outside the SOX
Entree for Entrelac
Inside STITCHES Knitting Expos
STITCHES South
STITCHES West
STITCHES Midwest
STITCHES East

3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
You can find XRX, Inc. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota during the office hours of 9AM to 5PM Central Time.

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
We offer a magazine that appeals to all knitters who want timeless garments along with beautiful books and conferences full of classes and a market to shop. The events at our conferences include a market for shopping, an opening day speaker with a "meet the teachers" luncheon following, classes of different intensities, a fashion show with dinner, a student banquet for "show and telling" to share, and finally a "little" pajama party thrown by Kimberly (aka, Some Bunny's Love).

5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open your business?
XRX, Inc. has been in business close to 30 years -- 28 to be exact. It all started when the family's weaving shop decided to publish their own newsletter. A couple of years later, Knitter's Magazine was born!

6. What's your favorite thing about having your business?
We love how knitters can come together in order to help. The genuine solidarity in their kindness is a great example of how people of different backgrounds and beliefs can still work alongside for a purpose.

Feederbrook Farm

1. What is your website?
www.feederbrook.com

2. Your Ravelry username?
Feedrbrook

Feederbrook Farm


3. What do you make?
Hand spun / hand dyes artisan Yarns and Roving from Sheltand Sheep, Alpacas and BFL crosses. Fibers are home grown or from local producers. We also offer fiber CSA memberships and educational oportunities.

4. How did you get into making stuff?
In 1996 the tenants on the farm left and forgot to take their cats and sheep. So we decided to keep the flock and the felines. We knew absolutely nothing about livestock, farming or fiber, but we learned fast. A few years past and the bags of fleeces began to build up, so as a joke I asked my family for a spinning wheel for Christmas. Well they did not think that I was joking. That was 15 years ago and the rest is history.

Feederbrook Farm


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
The folks that I have met thought the fiber community have been such an inspiration.

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
Everything I do revolves completely around the animals and fiber.... my family can attest to that. There are some days the house is a wash of fiber from the kitchen and livingroom to the porch and even the ceiling. Most days we get it put away before my husband walks in the door. Although there are other days (especially during lambing) he is wondering where the sound of the newborn lamb is coming from.

Feederbrook Farm


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
Farming happens rain or shine and you might as well have a smile on your face even when the sheep escape and the pig has made a bed out of 10 bales of your best alfalfa.

Sponsor: Metro Yarn Crawl



Metro Yarn Crawl April 9–17, 2011

Website: metroyarncrawl.com

Nine days of shopping bliss and fab discounts at the DC metro area’s finest yarn shops! Receive 20% off at all participating shops and be entered for a $100 prize! Join our “crawl” around the beltway by purchasing a tote at any one of the participating shops. Totes are available on or after March 15th. The crawl is from April 9-17, 2011.

How do I participate in the crawl?

Join the Metro Area Yarn Crawl by purchasing the MYC tote – available at any of the participating shops for $13. This canvas tote is your ticket for discounts at all participating shops!

What do I get for participating?

Show your tote at any participating shop from April 9-17, 2011 and receive 20% off your entire purchase of full priced yarn, fibre, books and patterns. You may use your tote as often as you like during these nine days.

*This discount may not be combined with any other discount.
*Please note the shop hours of each store. Some shops are not open on Sundays. The Yarn Spot is not open on Saturdays.

How do I get entered for one of the prize drawings?

Collect stamps on your “metro card” (given to you with your tote). Each shop that you visit will provide one stamp. Get 7 of the 10 stamps and you can then enter to win a drawing at the shop of your choice! Each prize is valued at $100. You may enter at any participating shop and are then eligible for the drawing at that particular shop.


For more info, including a list of participating shops, please visit the Metro Yarn Crawl website!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Neighborhood Fiber Co.

1. What is your website?
Website
Twitter
Facebook page

2. Your Ravelry username?
karida

Neighborhood Fiber Company


3. What do you make?
hand-dyed yarns, patterns and kits

4. How did you get into making stuff?
My best friend taught me to knit after college and opened up the whole world of crafting to me.

Neighborhood Fiber Company


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
I love how rich and diverse it is. There are so many people in DC/MD/VA area who are being creative and making stuff! It's really a great source of inspiration for me.

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
Being the only non-lawyer in my immediate family, I tend to always feel a bit different. Doing something that I love, making yarn, helps me feel free to bask in my difference. Also, it's nice to have a job where I can have tattoos and funny hair!

Neighborhood Fiber Company


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
My business has moved from DC to MD to OH and now back to MD. I'm in Baltimore now and I finally feel like I'm somewhere permanent.

Alpacas of Windswept Farm

1. What is your website?
www.WindsweptAlpacas.com

2. Your Ravelry username?
WindsweptAlpacas

Alpacas of Windswept Farm


3. What do you make?
We make a variety of yarn with alpaca and other natural fibers. We hand dye/paint a large portion of our yarn selections but also offer 100% natural, un-dyed for those concerned with allergic reactions. All our alpaca fiber is raised in the USA; from our own farm or neighboring farms. We also try our best to support the other local farms when we need other natural fibers. We also offer roving, batts and raw fiber for the quilter, spinner or crafter. Our latest addition to our project list includes making scarves and shawls from our yarn.

4. How did you get into making stuff?
The making of the yarn, roving etc. was a natural extension of raising the livestock. We both have a creative side expressed through gardening and eventually hand dying of yarn/fiber.

Alpacas of Windswept Farm


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
The People – no doubt about it. We have met so many wonderful folks who are involved in either raising livestock or using the fiber for yarn or craft projects. It’s always a joy to speak with people and share experiences and stories.

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
After 20+ years in the IT industry, it is pure bliss to work with the alpacas and the fiber. It was the best change we have ever made to our lives.

Alpacas of Windswept Farm


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
Every day is a treasure just waiting to be unwrapped.

Gnome Garden

1. What is your website?
Website
Etsy Shop

2. Your Ravelry username?
gnomegarden

Gnome Garden


3. What do you make?
I make hand dyed fibers for spinning and crafting and hand spun yarns

4. How did you get into making stuff?
Always been a chronic crafter. My sister taught me to knit maybe 10 years ago, and I slid down the slippery slope into fiber arts soon after. I love it so much and am sort of panicked if I don't have something yarny or crafty going at all times.

Gnome Garden


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
I love the festivals and the friendliness of the fiber people. It is a very generous community.

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
Well, there are a lot of sparkles flying about our house....

I love sharing the love of fibery pursuits with people. Especially teaching kids to knit.

Gnome Garden


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
Hmmn, well many of life's mysteries can be solved with a little Pee-Wee Herman.

As he so sagely said--"The mind plays tricks on you. You play tricks back! It's like you're unraveling a big cable-knit sweater that someone keeps knitting and knitting and knitting and knitting and knitting and knitting..." That quote can help explain the unexplainable in a pinch.

Ive been making some "worry yarns" inspired by my girls. We've had a bit of hard-life happenings lately, and my youngest is a big fan of telling her worry dolls about her troubles before bed. Then she spreads them out on her pillow and goes to sleep. When she wakes up they are all tangled up in her hair. I thought that was a really great look and also a nice image to make yarn that turns into garments that will carry your worries for you & look after you. I've also been incorporating Latin American Milagros-- little silver charms that represent prayers or hopes and wishes. I think it's good to think positively-- a sort of practical magic. :)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Sponsor: Nature's Yarns, Inc.

1. What is your website? Email?
naturesyarnsinc.com/
info@naturesyarnsinc.com

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
Group name: Nature's Yarns, Inc.

3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
11212 Lee Hwy (Jermantown Square)
Fairfax, VA 22030
Hours: 10am until 6pm Monday through Saturday, 10am until 8:30pm on Wednesdays, 12-5 on Sunday

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
Local fibers (alpaca and wools) and roving, Blue Ridge yarns, our own hand dyed yarns (Reflections), and tons more. We'll special order wheels and looms but usually don't have them in the store.

5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open a LYS?
We've been in business 3 and a half years. We really enjoy all of the fiber arts and LOVE working with others that share our interests and/or want to dive into fiber.

6. What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?
Meeting the people and touching the yarn!

Kate's Cauldron

1. What is your website?
Etsy Shop

2. Your Ravelry username?
katbyrd

Kate's Cauldron


3. What do you make?
Over the years, I've professional crafted in a number of media. I started with pottery, then gradually shifted to stained glass which I designed and sold for at least a decade. For the past few years I've been playing with fibers---something I had been wanting to do for years. Right now I spin (and sometimes re-spin, in the case of reclaimed yarns) and make wooden spindles. I'm especially fond of spindles with spiral tips that really seem to help maintain an even spin. I love the wood I'm using for my spindles and hate to waste any of it. I've alos been using the scraps to make shawl pins and buttons when the mood stikes me.

4. How did you get into making stuff?
I've always loved making things. I was an anthropology and archaeology student and still find that I have a need to know, hands on, how and why people do what they do. Tools and craft are such a big part of that. I love looking at form and function, that place where culture, spirit and art collides with neccessity and work.

Kate's Cauldron


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
Those I've met are just big hearted, creative and just wacky enough to keep things interesting.

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
Craft is sometimes, just something I have to do to keep my sanity. Things going on around me may influence the colors and designs that inspire me at any given moment. I am currently being seduced by the palette of a halved avacado, for example, although I've yet to figure out what I'm ging to do with this vision (other than make guacamole).

Kate's Cauldron


7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
Kate's Cauldron is an odd name for a spindlemaker. I can't seem to abandon my original business name that I've been using since I first started making pottery. The photo in my logo is a hand built Goddess/fertility pot made over twenty years ago and the only largish pot I kept for myself. Nowadays I use it to hold my spindles, so I guess it belongs after all.

Sponsor: Fibre Space



1. What is your website?
fibrespace.com

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
Group Name: Fans of Fibre Space

3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
102 N Fayette Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Mon-Tues, Fri-Sat: 10 am – 7 pm
Weds – Thurs: 10 am – 9 pm
Sun: 11 am – 6 pm

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
spinning fibre
Sanguine Gryphon
Miss Babs
Neighborhood Fiber Co
Sweet Georgia
String Theory
Blue Sky Alpacas
Brooklyn Tweed Shelter

5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open a LYS?
We have been in business since July 2009.

the fibre space shop grew out of Knit-a-Gogo, Inc., which was opened in October of 2006 to provide knitting classes, parties and events at coffee shops and bakeries in the DC metro area. Danielle Romanetti was the sole teacher and operator of the business until 2008. In August of 2008, the business expanded to six additional teachers and three new locations. The Knit-a-Gogo following grew and eventually demanded a permanent home. In July 2009, Knit-a-Gogo expanded into fibre space, a new retail store space with a classroom and events space.

6. What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?
I love being inspired by my customer’s creativity. Every day, someone points out a new great pattern that they found or puts together two colors that I would never have thought of putting together. I really have the greatest job in the world.

Sponsor: A Tangled Skein



1. What is your website? Email?
atangledskein.com

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
Group Name: A Tangled Skein

3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
5200 Baltimore Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20781

HOURS:
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 11-7
Wednesday 11-9
Saturday 11-6
Sunday 1-5
Closed Monday.

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
Lots of yarn, including Noro, Rowan, Schaefer, Neighborhood Fiber Co., Abstract Fibers, Berroco, and many others. We also have a good selection of books and individual patterns.

6. What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?
Meeting our customers. They're such creative, interesting people. And we like having the shop be a community gathering place. (Of course, it doesn't hurt that the workday is spent surrounded by piles and piles of wonderful colored yarn.)

Classes and knitting groups:
We have Sit and Stitch twice a week, on Wednesday evenings and Thursday afternoons, and Sit and Spin on the fourth Friday evening of the month. Our complete class schedule can be found on our website.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sponsor: Aylin's Woolgatherer

1. What is your website? Email?
Aylin's Woolgatherer

Email: aylin@aylins-wool.com

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
Group name: Aylin's Woolgatherer

3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
7245 Arlington Blvd., Suite 318
Falls Church, VA 22042
703-573-1900

Regular Store Hours:
Mon - Sat: 10 am - 5:30 pm
Thu: open later, until 8:30 pm

Directions from Washington, DC:
Take Rt. 50 into Nothern Virginia approximately 8 miles to Graham Rd.
(Next stop light after Annandale Rd.) Turn left and make the next right into
Loehman's Plaza shopping center. Go to the 3rd floor of "7-11 building" in the middle of the center.

Directions from the Capitol Beltway (I-495):
Go to Northern Virginia. Exit onto Rt. 50 East.
Proceed just under a mile to Graham Rd. (4th traffic light after the Beltway) and turn right.
Make the first right turn into Loehman's Plaza shopping center.
Go to the 3rd floor of "7-11 building" in the middle of the center.

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
We offer a wonderful selection of high quality yarns, exquisite fibers, an extensive library of books and patterns, implements, unique gifts and accessories. I love the creations of Blue Ridge Yarns and are very interested in finding more local dyers. I would be very interested in promoting and applauding the new talents coming into our industry. Above all, at Aylin’s Woolgatherer we offer to share our ideas, expertise and enthusiasm in the art of knitting and crocheting with all other enthusiasts near and far.

5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open a LYS?
I started Aylin’s Woolgatherer 36 years ago, on the 2nd of January in 1975. A good friend Mrs. Wynn Gnam, who owned The Woolgatherer downtown, urged me to open up my own shop. At the time, I had a little girl and I was most concerned with participating fully in her early development. With the encouragement and guidance from my friend, owning my own business seemed like a natural choice. I have never regretted it, even for one day.

6. What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?
My favorite thing about owning a yarn store is the opportunity it gives me to combine my lifelong love and interest in the textile crafts with my love of working with and being around people. It allowed me to find, develop and nurture a community of like-minded people who really became a second family to me. I have always been blessed because the hard work it takes to run a business never felt like “work” to me.

Persimmon Tree Farm

1. What is your website?
Persimmon Tree Farm

2. What do you make?
I have been doing fiber shows for about 18 years now up and down the east coast and Midwest. I have even had a booth at Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival, Black Sheep Gathering and Estes Park CO. I hand dye custom/commercial spun yarn. I also produce hand dyed blended 50/wool/50/mohair roving for handspinng/felting. I also carry handspun yarn, hand knit/woven finished items. Raw and washed natural colored mohair.

Persimmon Tree Farm


3. How did you get into making stuff?
I got into all this wonderful stuff when my husband and I bought a farm in 1989. We needed some lawn mowers, so first came some Border Leicester sheep, and then came Natural Colored Angora goats.

4. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
They are just as nice and friendly as the local sheep and goat breeders, wonder people.

Persimmon Tree Farm


5. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
Just ask my family, it is my life, and they get drug into it also. It is a huge part of my life. I enjoy working with the animals and the fiber.

Persimmon Tree Farm


6. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
Stories?? Which one do you want to hear? Fiber and animal folks are full of stories. Like when the head gasket blew on the way to Michigan and we had to stop every hour to put water in the radiator, or the time the truck/trailer broke down going up the mountain getting home from SAFF, or even the time I put diesel in the gas tank and could not figure out why the truck would not run ,,that was on the way back from Michigan another year. I could go on and on. Life is an adventure. I keep telling my girlfriend we should write a book.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Folktale Fibers

1. What is your website?
Etsy Shop
Folktale Fibers Blog

2. Your Ravelry username?
folktale

Folktale Fibers


3. What do you make?
I make handspun yarn from sustainable fibers, mainly local small farm wool and fiber recycled from large spinning mills. I'm trying to make my entire process more sustainable now that I have my own small farm - I've been experimenting with solar dyeing, and am in the process of switching over to low impact dyes. I buy most of my local wool as raw fleeces and wash, dye, card, and spin them myself. This year I will have a few yarns spun from my own pygora goats fiber available, for the first time ever!

4. How did you get into making stuff?
I can't ever remember not making stuff, even when it was just badly constructed doll clothing! My mom was really crafty and artsy, so probably picked up a lot from her.

Folktale Fibers


5. What is your favorite thing about the local fiber community?
It's hard to pick one thing, but I think my favorite thing would be everyone's generosity. I've never met a more welcoming bunch of people!

6. How does what you do/make influence the rest of your life, and vice versa?
I think each craft sort of leads to another for me - I started out sewing and crocheting. I learned to knit in high school, then got really obsessed with spinning, and then I ended up getting very interested in the animals the fiber comes from. Now I have my own mini herd!



7. Any funny stories, words of wisdom, something else to share about you or your business?
This past year, I discovered that I really, really love goats. My business isn't just a fiber business anymore, I'm now starting a small farm/homestead and will be expanding into raising animals and growing herbs and vegetables.

Alpaca Yarn Arts

Email: alpacayarnarts@yahoo.com

Alpaca Yarn Arts


Do you have products for knitters/crocheters, spinners, weavers, etc?

Handwarmer Kits: Try working with laceweight yarn with my handwarmer kits-- hand-dyed alpaca yarn in sport or worsted weight with matching laceweight for ruffles, dyed at the same time, for knitters, The laceweight is dyed with the sport weight or worsted weight, so it matches exactly.

Knitting patterns: Another style of handwarmer, and a hat with vertical stripes created by knitting horizontal stripes using three methods in the same hat with earflaps, peruvian style.

Felt: I've had alpaca fleece made into sheets of luscious felt for seamstresses that will make beautiful jackets, vests, slippers, lap-robes and other items, even one piece of llama felt that would be a lovely soft, springy rug to put your feet onto in the morning.

Felted soap: Don't miss my thinly felted soap (the bubbles come right through). The soap is handmade in Maryland, and covered with dyed alpaca fleece raised in Maryland. I also have some unscented soap, felted with undyed alpaca fleece.

Sponsor: The Yarn Spot


1. What is your website? Email?
The Yarn Spot website
victoria@theyarnspot.com

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
The Yarn Spotters (and Victoria is The Loomist and Jill is riproaring)

3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
11406A Georgia Ave., Wheaton, MD (on the site of the former Anchor Inn)
Sunday 10 - 5
Monday 10 - 6
Tuesday 10 - 6
Wednesday 10 - 8
Thursday 10 - 8
Friday 10 - 5
Closed Sat.
Stitch Gatherings: Sundays 2-4 PM, Wed. and Thursday evenings 6-8 PM

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
We carry many standard yarns, as well as Alchemy, Schaefer Yarns, Blue Heron Yarn, Three Irish Girls, Rock Creek Yarn, and will be adding Dragonfly Fibers soon.

We also carry Kromski spinning and weaving equipment, Schacht spinning and weaving equipment as well as a good range of fiber for spinning and a small selection of cone yarns for weaving.

5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open a LYS?
We have been open since November of 2009. We opened the store because of our love of yarn, fiber and craft and it seemed like the right time to embark on our next great adventure!

6. What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?
Meeting wonderful people who enjoy fiber as much as we do, working with yarn ALL DAY LONG and having flexibility in my schedule. Must attend school shows and events!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Sponsor: Yarns International


1. What is your website?
Yarns International

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
Our Ravelry group is Yarns International.

3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
We are an online store only. Our office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
We carry only Shetland yarns which we import directly from the Shetland Islands. These include 2-ply jumper weight in both undyed natural colors and dyed colors; lace weight yarns, both gossamer (cobweb) and 2-ply, in five natural colors. We have a wide variety of patterns using all of our yarns.

5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open a LYS?
We had a brick and mortar store in Bethesda for 12 years, from 1994 through 2006, when we went online only.

6. What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?
What we loved about our store, and what we miss most, is the community of knitters that were centered in our store. We stay in contact with many of our customers through our online business and at Sheep and Wool Festivals in Maryland and in New York. We also hold “live” events in Bethesda several times each year.

Sponsor: Looped Yarn Works

1. What is your website?
Looped Yarn Works

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?
Looped Yarn Works



3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
1732 Connecticut Avenue, NW #200
Washington, DC 20009

Hours:
Tues. and Thurs. 11 am – 9 pm
Wed. and Fri. 11 am – 7 pm
Saturday 11 am – 6 pm
Sunday 11 am – 5 pm
Monday closed


4. What kinds of things do you carry?
Malabrigo, Tilli Tomas, Kangaroo Dyer, Madeline Tosh, Rowan, Blue Heron, Blue Ridge Yarns, Abstract Fibers



5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open a LYS?
We opened August 19, 2010. We wanted to bring yarn back to Dupont Circle and provide a friendly, warm and helpful environment for knitters and crocheters.

6. What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?
Our customers.