Sponsor Post: Metro Yarn Crawl

Get ready for this year’s Metro Yarn Crawl! Visit the MYC shops from April 14–22, 2012 for nine days of fabulous discounts, events, and fun! Purchase the MYC tote for $10 from any of these shops to enjoy 20% off full-priced yarn, fiber, books, and patterns! Earn stamps for visiting each shop and earn an entry for the grand prize drawing at the shop of your choice. Visit metroyarncrawl.com for more details.











Participating shops:
Aylin’s Woolgatherer
fibre space™
In Stitches Needlework
Knit and Stitch = Bliss
The Knitting Boutique
Looped Yarn Works
A Tangled Skein
Uniquities Yarn Shop
Woolwinders Yarn Shop
The Yarn Spot

Thank You!

We had a really great time today and want to thank everyone who came and participated! Apologies in advance to anyone I have inadvertently left out here…

Our generous sponsors:
(see their profiles on earlier dates and links to their websites on the left)
Fibre Space (Alexandria)
Knit and Stitch = Bliss (Bethesda)
The Knitting Boutique (Glen Burnie)
Looped Yarn Works (DC)
Nature’s Yarns (Fairfax)
A Tangled Skein (Hyattsville)
Aylin’s Woolgatherer (Falls Church)
Dog House Yarns (Culpeper)
Frivolous Fibers (St. Michael’s)
Uniquities Yarn Shop (Vienna)
Woolwinders (Rockville)
The Yarn Spot (Wheaton)
Yarns International (online/Cabin John)

Door prize donors:
All of our vendors, Aylin’s Woolgatherer, Fibre Space, Namaste, Nature’s Yarns, Uniquities, Unicorn Fibre, Yarns International, Lauren and Kim

Our talented vendors:
All of our vendors make their own products in some way, whether that means raising the animals, dyeing the fiber, spinning the yarn, or crafting by hand in small batches. You can find profiles of each of the vendors on our blog, with links to their websites.

Our wonderful volunteers:
We couldn’t do this without you and truly appreciate all your hard work helping spread the word and ensuring everything comes together on the day of show.
Angelique, Beth, Carole, Christine, Christopher, Courtney, Cybele, Eric, Greg, Janet, Jenn, Kimberly, Laura, Liz, Liz D, Lori, Marseille, Melissa, Sarah, Suzanne, Theresa N, Theresa W, Mila, Liisa, Su, Ash, Arthella, Michelle, Trish, Kathie, Cindy, Ellen, Dorothy, and anyone else who helped throughout the day or dropped off postcards at their local shops and groups

Our selection committee:
Who have the difficult job of narrowing down the applicants to fit our space

Our teachers and demonstrators:
Marseille, Claire, Lauren, Cyb, Lori, and Kendrahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

CHINS Hat donors:
lots of you! Claire reports that we got nearly 100 hats for children and infants this year. Fantastic!

And everyone who came to shop and socialize and learn and be awesome together!

Please share your photos in our 2012 Flickr Group: Homespun Yarn Party 2012

We’ll see you next year!

-Jess, Paula, Corrine, and Lindsay

Spinning and Knitting Contests at the Yarn Party

This year, The Homesupun Yarn Party is creating a little friendly competition! At 3:00, we will be holding a longest thread and at 4:15, a fastest knitter contest.

Longest Thread: Each contestant will be asked to bring their favorite spindle. We will provide 10g or fiber. Each friendly competitor will be given 15 minutes to spin the longest single they can. At the end of 15 minutes, a judge will count the yards and a winner will be declared. If a thread breaks in unwinding, the longest piece will be counted.

Fastest Knitter: Each contestant will be asked to bring their favorite size 8 needles. We will provide a ball of worsted weight yarn. Each friendly competitor will be given 15 minutes to cast on 25 stitches and knit a garter stitch rectangle as long as they can. At the end of 15 minutes, a judge will count the stitches and a winner will be declared.

A prize will be awarded to the winner of each contest, so bring your best and brightest to the competition! A batt to the spinning winner, and a hand dyed skein of yarn for the knitting winner.

Schedule of Events

We have a lot planned for this year's Yarn Party!! Here's a general schedule of events:

Shopping
- Doors will open for shopping at Noon and close at 5 pm.

Door Prizes
- We will be drawing door prize tickets every half hour throughout the day. Prizes packages will be on display at the HYP Swag table - place your ticket in the jar for the prize you'd most like to win but make sure you'll be in the room when that ticket is drawn - you must be present to claim your prize.

Intro Classes
- Intro to Spinning on a Drop Spindle at 1:30 and 3:30
- Intro to Crochet at 2:30
- Intro to Knitting at 3:30

Contests
3:00 we will hold a Spinning Contest and at 4:15 we will host a Knitting Contest - more details to come!

(Supplies and loaner needles/hooks will be provided for each class and the contests.)

Demos
Weather permitting, we will hold demos out on the deck of needle felting, wheel spinning, fleece carding and combing, and an antique sock machine in action.

Charity Hat Collection
As a reminder, we are collecting hats for charity this year too. Drop by the Knitters & Crocheters Care table in the center of the room any time throughout the day.

Sponsor: Woolwinders

We're happy to have Woolwinders as a sponsor this year!





Beginning on April 1, 2012, Woolwinders Yarn Shop will have new hours!
Our new hours will be:

Sundays 12-5 PM
Mondays Closed
Tuesdays 11-6 PM
Wednesdays 11-6 PM
Thursdays 11-7 PM
Fridays 11-6 PM
Saturdays 11-6 PM



Join Woolwinders on Ravelry!

We are located at 404 King Farm Blvd. in Rockville, MD 20850 off of Route 355.

We carry top of the line luxury fiber yarns from such industry leaders at Rowan, Madelinetosh, Art Yarns, Blue Sky, Cascade, Schaefer, Berroco, Classic Elite, Malabrigo, Shalimar, and Stonehedge Fiber Mill as well as Addi needles, buttons, bags, current knitting books and magazines. We also offer a full-range of multi-skill levels knitting and crocheting classes year round as well as special group knitting events.



Woolwinders has been in business for almost ten years, however, I have recently purchased the business and have been the new owner for the past two years. What inspired me to buy the business was all the wonderful knitters and crocheters that I have an opportunity to meet everyday!

My favorite thing about owning this business is seeing everyone's beautiful projects and getting to play with all the beautiful yarns!

Sponsor: Frivolous Fibers

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




2. What is your Ravelry name/group if you have one? Frivolous Fibers

3. Where are you located and what are your hours? 112 N Talbot Street, St Michaels, Md 21663 10:00 - 5:00 Mon - Sun

4. What kinds of things do you carry? Unique handpainted, handspun, artyarns, natural fibers,, patterns and books, Addi, Knitpicks and Signatures needles, knitting and crochet accessories

5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open your business? Opened in 2005

6. What's your favorite thing about having your business? Our favorite thing is all our amazing customers and then Yarn, Yarn, Yarn











Do check out Frivolous Fibers the next time you're in beautiful St. Michael's! (a great place to check out, btw!)

Sponsor: Dog House Yarns

We've got a new-to-us sponsor this year: Dog House Yarns!



This shop is located in Culpeper, Virginia: 708 Sunset Lane, Culpeper, VA 22701

HOURS
Sunday: Noon to 4 pm
Monday: 11 am - 5 pm
Tuesday: 11 am - 5 pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11 am - 8pm
Friday: 11 am - 3 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 5 pm

Please check out this shop next time you're out that way - looks like a lot of fun yarns!

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 37 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.

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.

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!

Sponsor: Knit + Stitch = Bliss

Our website is knitandstitch.com. You can reach us at 301-652-8688 or info@knitandstitch.com.

Ravelry group: Knit+Stitch=Bliss

We are located at 4706 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda Maryland 20814. The store is at the intersection of Wisconsin Ave and Bethesda Ave (behind the Starbucks). We have a free parking lot and are 3 blocks from the Bethesda Metro.

We are open:
Mon, Tues, Wed and Friday 10-6:30 pm
Thursday 10- 8 pm
Saturday 10- 5:30 pm
Sunday 12-5 pm



My goal is to be a friendly local yarn shop with something for everyone. We carry everything from Plymouth Encore to exquisite hand-dyed yarns. We carry yarn from most of the major yarn companies: Blue Sky Alpaca, Rowan, Cascade, Berrroco, Tahki, Plymouth, KFI, Skacel, Euroyarns. We also have an extensive selection of hand-dyed yarns (my soft spot)--Swans Island, String Theory, Madeline Tosh, Jade Saphire, Manos, Malabrigo, The Fibre Company, Prism, Great Adirondack, Claudia Hand Painted, We carry a good assortment of books and patterns, needles and bags (Attendi, Blue Q, Chica).

I'm going into my 12th year of business. I used to shop at the yarn store that was previously in the same location and when it went out of business, I decided to dump the law and do something I loved. When I opened, I was a beginner knitter (I also sold needlepoint in the beginning) with no business experience. God protects drunks and fools and I was able to survive all the mistakes I made. In case you are wondering about the name, Knit + Stitch = Bliss, I had to pick a name that no one else had used, (for trademark purposes). In my mind, knitting and stitching equal bliss.

My goal was to be very user friendly since I had felt very intimidated when I was learning to knit. I now have a fantastic group of women and a man who share my commitment to being friendly and helpful. Since we all have different taste in fiber and types of knitting, their input has helped us to become a well rounded knitting store.



My favorite thing about having the store is helping customers find a project that excites them. I enjoy matching the customer's interest, skills and budget with the perfect project. I also love my store's part in creating a knitting community where people are happy and comfortable.

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.

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: 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!

Sponsor: Uniquities

1. What is your website? Email?
uniquitiesyarnshop.com
service@uniquitiesyarnshop.com

2. What is your Ravelry name/group if you have one?
Rav Group - Friends of Uniquities
Facebook - UniquitiesYarnShop



3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
421 Church Street NE, Suite D, Vienna VA 22180...on Church Street between Beulah Road and East Street
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - 10am to 5:30pm
Weds - 11am to 6:30pm
Sat - 10am to 5pm
Closed Sundays, except in December

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
We carry a wide selection of yarns and fibers for knitters, crocheters, and spinners, as well as a huge variety of needles and notions (knitting notions, knitting bags, handcrafts). We also carry spinning wheels and other spinning equipment.



5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open your
business?
This fall will be 18 years in business. We started as a way for handcrafters to sell their products, but it quickly grew into a knitting shop, and from there we expanded our inventory and added spinning. We still have a small selection of hand-made pottery and a few other handcrafts.

6. What's your favorite thing about having your business?
Sharing our hobby with others! There are so many new and exciting things out there for knitters and other fiber artists, and we love to be able to be a hub for these activities and share the product and knowledge with others.

Vendor Map and Venue Info

(Click the image to enlarge)

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.

Also, take some time to check out all the great antiques and furniture! There's a used book store, craft and scrapbooking stores, a bead shop, and more to see! If you get hungry, there are several options at the Mill and nearby! Save room for a delicious french pastry at Bonapartes! If the weather is nice, go for (or send your family on) a walk on the Savage Mill Trail!

2012: The Verdant Gryphon

The Verdant Gryphon is one of the two companies into which The Sanguine Gryphon has morphed. Look to us to find the same luxurious yarns, complex and mysterious colours, quirky names, and anachronistic charm you loved from SG.



Website: verdantgryphon.com

2012: Snallygaster Fibers

We are Snallygaster Fibers, a small yarn studio that produces hand-dyed yarns. Many of our colorways are inspired by landmarks or neighborhoods in our hometown of Baltimore. Each Baltimore colorway is accompanied by a blurb of its history. Our focus is on superwash wool sock yarn. We now dye worsted and bulky superwash merino too.



Website: SnallygasterFibers.com

2012: Space Cadet Creations

I create hand-dyed yarns for knitters and crocheters in multi-tonal and semi-solid colourways. Every shade is created entirely by hand, by mixing the basic primary colours to achieve the exact hues I’m aiming for. I think of it as “dyeing from scratch” and it’s an incredibly satisfying way to dye!



Website: spacecadetcreations.com

2012: Three Ravens

I blend amazing fibers, colors, and textures into a tactile rainbow of awesome.

I am a former DJ who is now a fiber artist; I favor fun, unusual, and eye-catching colors, textures, and techniques. I specialize in artistic and conceptual yarns, art batts, hand-dyed fibers, and couture fiber jewelry.



Website: threeravens.net

2012: Mid Valley Fibers

Handspun yarns for fiber artists including super bulky corespuns plied with thread to stabilize them, Spiral boucles, and Jazz yarns with additions of novelty yarn snippets. Interesting colors, fibers and spinning techniques are featured. All fibers are from regional farms and indie dyers from the tri-state area. Don’t miss our kits, project bags and wool angels too.



Website: midvalleyfibers.com

2012: Persimmon Tree Farm

I started my business more than 20 years ago when buying a farm. I now raise Colored Angora Goats and use their fiber in my custom spun yarn, and custom made socks. I also have 9 alpaca that I use the fiber from. I hand dye all commercial/custom spun yarn, roving, and knit finished items.



Website: facebook.com/PersimmonTreeFarm

2012: No. 222

My slogan is “Knit Local”. I like to support local farms and I specialize in single origin (i.e. - single animal fleece) yarns. The animal's name, breed, and farm are included with each skein. I often visit the farms I buy from to ensure that the animals are treated ethically and the fiber is top quality.



Website: nmbr222.com

2012: Neighborhood Fiber Co.

Neighborhood Fiber Co. offers hand-dyed yarns and fibers in vibrant, one-of-a-kind colors inspired by urban landscapes. Each color is named for a different neighborhood in DC, Baltimore, or Columbus, OH. In addition to an array of luxurious yarns and fibers, I’m excited to offer a variety of kits.



Website: neighborhoodfiberco.com

2012: Folktale Fibers

I spin yarns made from local & sustainable fibers, including fiber from my own small herd of pygora goats. Many of my yarns start with locally grown or rare breed fleeces that I wash, card, and dye myself before spinning. I also make art batts and hand dyed mill-spun yarn.



Website: folktale.etsy.com

2012: Flying Goat Farm

We offer hand-dyed commercial and handspun yarns, many of which are made from the fleece of my own animals. We also sell hand-dyed fleece and roving from our own and commercial sources. We offer local and sustainable choices, some of which are also organically grown.



Website: flyinggoatfarm.com