11th Annual Thank You Post

Thank you for another great Yarn Party!

We had a really great time today and want to thank everyone who came and participated. We had around 650 visitors this year and appreciated the steady stream of arrivals throughout the day.

Our generous sponsors:

Tier 1 sponsors:

• Charm City Yarn Crawl (April 6-15 at LYSes in the Baltimore area)
• Cloverhill Yarn Shop (Catonsville, MD) who also provided hooks for our classes and some pretty great pens!
• Fibre Space (Alexandria, VA)
• Frederick Fiber Fest (June 2-3 at Frederick Fairgrounds)
• Knits and Pieces Annapolis (Annapolis, MD)
• The Knot House (Frederick, MD)
• Looped Yarn Works (Washington, DC)
• Lovelyarns (Hampden/Baltimore, MD)
• Red Fox Yarns, LLC (Fairfax, VA)

Tier 2 sponsors:

• Leona's Gallery (Savage Mill)
• Second Story Knits (Bethesda, MD)
• Two Rivers Yans (Purcellville, VA)
• Woolwinders (Rockville and Annapolis, MD)

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 bags, jewelry, woodworking, or buttons by hand in small batches. You can find profiles of each of the vendors  here on the blog.

• 29 Bridges Studio
• Backyard Fiberworks
• Brediculous Yarns
• Crabapple Yarns
• Dancing Leaf Farm
• Dimensions
• Dragonfly Fibers
• Duck Duck Wool
• Feederbrook Farm
• Fibernymph Dye Works
• Folktale Fibers
• Fully Spun
• Hobbledehoy Yarn and Fiber
• JUL Designs
• MarigoldJen Hand Dyed Yarns
• Metis Industries
• needleclicksEtc
• Rajkovich Designs
• Shalimar Yarns
• Snallygaster Fibers
• SpaceCadet
• StarKnits
• Taylored Fibers
• Tempting Ewe Yarns Inc
• That Clever Clementine
• The Fiberists
• The Wood Rasp Shop
• Three Ravens Studio
• Unplanned Peacock Studio
• Wandering Wool
• Wild Hare Fiber Studio
• Wolles Yarn Creations

(double thanks to those of you who also provided a volunteer door prize)

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.

• belladiddley
• claireleah
• cwashing
• cyb
• eissak
• EmpirePhoenix
• geniap
• gottoknit
• hopefultoast
• imjustlori
• jennalyn
• jhankie
• joneice
• Kate314
• KatMacPet
• kbladow
• Kiraknits
• Klevitan17
• knittyone
• laramary
• laurenhaiken
• Lesfisch
• LiisaB
• ljhaynes
• LuckbeaPanda
• Miscellaneaarts
• mizzleahmae
• mountchic
• mrgcaster
• MtownKnitGuy
• Mypsel
• p1lambird
• pef1996
• pelageyka
• PhDelicious
• Qwilter
• rachels
• Sandrag08
• shawnknitter
• somebunnyslove
• Su1282
• supercraftygirl
• Tanno
• tcknit
• textilegeek
• TheManny
• tichubabe
• TipsyTarsier
• vaacosta
• Vegetarianwmn
• woolarina
• woundtootight
• xavyor
• Nicole
• TaShon
• Yvonne

Special thanks to our teachers:

• geniap, TipsyTarsier, laurenhaiken, ljhaynes, and all of our fabulous Roving Teachers

Our selection committee, who have the difficult job of narrowing down the applicants to fit our space.

Everyone who brought FOs for TAPS and Artemis House and yarn for Knitters & Crocheters Care, and everyone who stopped by the charity tables to work a few rows on our scarves and hats.

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

Please share your photos on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Ravelry! #homespunyarnparty

-Jess, Lindsay, and Corrine

Today's the day!

Come party with us!

Here's a round up of information about this year's event:

Where: Historic Savage Mill - 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763

When: Sunday, March 18, 2018 from 12-5pm

Admission is FREE!

• Maps and venue information to plan your shopping
• Classes, door prizes, HYP swag, spinning contest
• 2018 charity event at Homespun Yarn Party
• Great tips from HYP fans in our Facebook group

 

Carpool if you can and come later in the day to avoid the crowds. We promise there will still be great yarn, fiber, prizes and other treasures. We recommend parking in the West lot (at the far end of the mill), and you can usually find street parking in the neighborhood within a few streets.

We're excited and we hope you are too. See you soon!

2018: Wolle's Yarn Creations

Wolle's Yarn Creations makes Color Changing Cotton yarns -- the original gradients. Now also available as Cotton/Silk/Merino blends. All yarns are handmade and super soft - a pleasure to knit and wear.



Website: wollesyarncreations.etsy.com
Twitter: @wollesyarn
Instagram: @wollesyarn
Facebook: Wolles-Yarn-Creations
Ravelry: Wolle's Yarn Creations yarn page, Fans of Wolle's Yarn Creations

2018: Wild Hare Fiber Studio

Wild Hare Fiber Studio offers hand dyed yarns and fibers both wild and mild, and is home of the Weave-a-Round Circle loom.  Known for black light reactive and nerd-inspired colorways as well as gradient dyed, be sure to check out new 'splatterdash' yarns and vegan and linen blend spinning fibers.



Website: www.wildharefiber.com
Instagram: @wildharefiber
Facebook: wildharefiber
Ravelry: Wild Hare Fiber Studio yarn page

2018: Wandering Wool

Wandering Wool carries a variety of wool and wool blend yarns, all dyed by hand in my home studio. I specialize in gradient colorways with long color changes in addition to semi-solid and variegated colorways. My colorways are inspired by nature and travel.



Website: www.wanderingwool.com
Twitter: @WanderingWool
Instagram: @wanderingwool
Facebook: wanderingwool
Ravelry: Wandering Wool yarn page, Wandering Wool Ravelry group

Sponsor Profile: Frederick Fiber Fest

What is your website? Email?

www.FrederickFiberFest.com (email: droutzahn@newspost.com)


What is your Ravelry group?
Frederick Fiber Fest


Where is the festival and when is it happening?
The Frederick Fiber Festival is held at the Frederick Fairgrounds, located at 797 East Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701, on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3, 2018.

We are excited to announce that the Mother Earth News FAIR and Fiber Fest are teaming up in 2018 to feature all your favorite producers, spinners and dyers, plus take home great craft items for gifts or yourself! Come spend the day with us shopping for fiber-related products, meeting new friends, and working on your latest projects.

What kinds of vendors and activities will you have?
Fiber related vendors, classes and demonstrations

What inspired you to start the festival?

To give local vendors a chance to showcase their products in this growing industry!

What's your favorite thing about the festival?

My favorite part of the festival is our large community area where people can sit, talk and work on their projects.

2018: Unplanned Peacock Studio

Unplanned Peacock dyes the finest quality yarns and fibers in our unique colorways.  We have variegated, tonal, self striping, gradients, mini skeins, and colorful kits.  Our fibers include merino, alpaca, silk, cashmere and BFL.  We also have hand made shawl pins and buttons.  Our colors range from brilliant to subtle.



Website: www.unplannedpeacock.com
Twitter: @unplannedpeack
Instagram: @unplannedpeacock
Facebook: unplannedpeacockstudio
Ravelry: Unplanned Peacock yarn page, Unplanned Peacock Ravelry group

2018: The Wood Rasp Shop

Pursuing my love of beautiful wood grain, I create unique, handmade wood pins to be used as shawl/hair pins or ornamentals for any knitted or crocheted wearables. I also make unique buttons.  All my pieces are hand shaped, finished and oiled then buffed with Carnauba wax to a jewel finish.



Website: www.thewoodraspshop.com
Instagram: @thewoodraspshop

2018 Vendor Map and Location 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 - get directions from your location here. It's pretty convenient from I-95, right off Rt 32. For your GPS, the address is 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763.

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!  Street parking is also available in the surrounding neighborhood.

While folks tend to line up outside the room before doors open, please come a little later if you can...this ensures that our vendors and volunteers can set up safely and is courteous to our neighbors at the Mill.  If you prefer to avoid crowds keep in mind that the shopping experience is always much more relaxed after the first hour.  We promise you there will be tons of great yarn to check out all afternoon, and we will encourage vendors to hold back some of their best sellers until later in the day!  We'll be announcing new door prizes every 30 minutes.

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, a game shop, and more to see! Save room for a delicious french pastry at Bonaparte Breads or a sweet treat at Sweet Cascades Chocolatier. The rest of the Mill is open until 6pm.  If the weather is nice, go for (or send your family on) a walk on the Savage Mill Trail or take a self-guided tour of Savage!

2018 Classes, Contest, and Swag

For many years now, we've run The Longest Thread Competition at Homespun Yarn Party. Its been such a hit, that we’re doing it again!

Bring your favorite drop spindle and 10g of the fiber of your choice. Everybody gets ten minutes to spin as much singles yardage as they can. The longest singles wins GLORY, and a prize!

Hope you join us!

Don't know how to spin on a drop spindle? We will teach you! We'll offer free classes on knitting, crochet, and drop spindle throughout the day.  If you're a beginner looking to pick up a new craft, loaner needles and hooks will be provided for intro to knit and crochet lessons. For the spinning lessons, you can purchase some fiber and a spindle from one of our lovely vendors or bring your own.

We're excited to bring back two of our intermediate level classes this year:

We'll show a few different cast ons - i.e. for toe up socks, or the circular cast on for shawls (instead of the tab), or even how to knit that tab. Time permitting, we may add some cast-off options, such as a stretchy bind off for socks or cuffs.

For both knitters and crocheters, we will give tips on how to weave in ends. Then we will show some methods to join new yarn in the middle of a project to avoid having ends to weave in at all. Among other options, you'd be able to watch a spit splice demonstration then try it on your own!

We're also offering a new class this year on adjusting your gauge. You've seen that cryptic heading of GAUGE in your pattern but paid little attention to it? You've seen it and paid attention but wondered just how flexible you could be with it? You really want to use this great indie dyer yarn that is kind of bulky in a pattern that calls for worsted weight yarn? This workshop is for you. We'll have some sample swatches and rulers on hand, but if you have your own ruler bring it along with a swatch and a pattern that you are planning to make - preferably for a rectangular finished object (i.e. scarves, shawls, some hats, some fingerless gloves, etc.).

Classes are held at the center tables. Space is limited and classes are first come, first served.

1:15 – Cast-On Options

1:45 – Intro to Drop Spindle

2:15 – Weave In, Join Ends

2:45 – Intro to Drop Spindle

3:15 – Adjusting Gauge

3:45 – Longest Thread Contest

4:15 – Intro Knit/Crochet & Demos

In addition to our group sessions, our Roving Teachers will be available for one-on-one project help and Q&A throughout the day.
Do you have a project in the works that could benefit from some quick expert advice? Bring it along! Our teachers have generously offered to make time available for those needing a bit of help on a project (e.g. picking up stitches, tightening holes in heel gussets, those blasted side stitches that like to get messy, joining new fiber on your spindle without losing twist, interpreting a tricky pattern instruction) and offer impromptu mini-sessions and on the spot Q&A on crochet, spinning, and knitting.

If you see one of our teachers sitting at the class table without an active class session, or roving about, sporting an HYP "Roving Teacher" button, feel free to flag them down for assistance!

Our teachers will be out and about throughout the day. We want to make sure our teachers get some shopping time in, so if they don't have their button on, they're off-duty. The 4:15 class session will depend on interest - we definitely want to enable new knitters and crocheters - but most Yarn Partiers are already pretty savvy so we will likely have best availability in the 4:00 hour.

We'll have fantastic door prizes throughout the day, courtesy of our vendors and sponsors. You'll get a raffle ticket as you enter, and we'll draw winners every half hour. Prize packages will be on display at the HYP Door Prizes table (aka the TABLE OF AWESOME) - 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.

Don't forget to bring your knitted/crocheted accessories and comfort monsters for Artemis House, Shelter House, and TAPS. If you have any extra yarn you'd like to donate, Claire will be happy to take it off your hands at the Knitters and Crocheters Care table. Some scarves will be started if you'd like to stop by and add a few rows. You can read more about this year's project here.

We'll have Homespun Yarn Party bags, stitch marker boxes, key tags, tape measures, and buttons for sale at the HYP swag table just inside the door. We will have a few limited edition 10th anniversary buttons left, in case you missed getting one last year. Brand new this year: HYP stitch markers, available with lobster claw or split rings. If you don't have a swift and ball winder at home, or if you just can't wait to start working with your new purchases, we will offer winding for $2 a skein at the HYP Winding Station. All proceeds support future Homespun Yarn Party events.

Here's a preview...

photo by kaylavie - RatchetCatBoutique

Weather permitting, the adjacent deck will be available to hang out and socialize if you need a break from shopping. If the deck is open and it's warm, we may also have some fun demos of wheel spinning and electric spinners. Keep your fingers crossed for lovely weather, but our vendors are all indoors so we are mud-free and dry, rain or shine!

NOTE: Our class tables must be kept open for our scheduled sessions and Roving Teachers, and our charity tables for those actively working on a charity project. We ask that shoppers leave their wheels in their vehicles until the final hour of the event unless the deck is open (check first as we have no public storage space). We understand if you need to take a few moments to sit and recover from the yarn fumes but please be courteous of your fellow shoppers and share time at the social tables.

2018: The Fiberists (New vendor!)

The Fiberists are dyers and curators of colorful yarns and luxury fibers.  We approach the creation of our products with a research based process. We get our inspiration from the work of influential naturalists and scientists and their discoveries of colors, forms, and structures.



Website: thefiberists.com
Twitter: @TheFiberists
Instagram: @the.fiberists
Facebook: thefiberists
Ravelry: The Fiberists yarn page, The Fiberists Ravelry group

2018: Three Ravens Studio

I create highly textured and often brightly colored spinning and felting fibers and handspun yarns. I also feature necklaces made with crystals, copper, and my handspun yarn, spindles, and new this year are crochet kits for making plant pods and handspun yarn assortments for crafts like weaving.



Website: www.threeravens.net
Twitter: @xiane_3ravens
Instagram: @xiane_threeravens
Facebook: threeravens.net
Ravelry: Three Ravens Studio yarn page

2018: That Clever Clementine

If you have things to tote and protect, try my handmade project bags, zipper wristlet clutches, snappy little notions pouches, and reversible fabric yarn bowls.

Customer comments? Got those, too!

"They are well made, attractive ... practical"

"The fabric's divine ... workmanship is absolutely superb ..."

"Best cootie catchers ever."

Website: ThatCleverClementine.com

Twitter: @clevrclementine

Instagram: @thatcleverclementine

Facebook: ThatCleverClementine

Sponsor Profile: Woolwinders Yarn Shop

What is your website? Email?  
Woolwinders.com
info@woolwinders.com

What is your Ravelry name/group?  
Woolwinders Yarn Shop

Where are you located and what are your hours?  
Woolwinders Rockville:
404 King Farm Blvd., Suite 150,
Rockville, MD  20850

Woolwinders Annapolis:
709 Skippers Lane
Annapolis, MD  21401

Hours at both locations:
Tuesday - Saturday  11:00 - 6:00
Sunday  12:00 - 5:00
Closed Monday

What kinds of things do you carry?  
Large assortment of yarns, needles and accessories

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open your business?  
Woolwinders has been in business for about 15 years.

What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?  
We love helping customers with their knitting projects!

2018 Charity Collection

This year The Homespun Yarn Party and Knitters and Crocheters Care are collecting knit and crocheted shawls and scarves for Artemis House, a domestic violence shelter, and hats, scarves and mittens for men, women, children and infants at Shelter House. We are also collecting Comfort Monsters/stuffies and water bottle holders for TAPS. Let’s wow them with our generosity!

Artemis House is Fairfax County's only 24-hour emergency shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking (operated by Shelter House - see below).

Shelter House, Inc. is a community-based, non-profit organization serving homeless families in Fairfax County, Virginia. They operate a number of shelters, for people who are homeless, disabled and/or survivors of domestic violence. They also provide transitional housing and case management services. Its goals are to prevent and end homelessness and domestic violence by engaging the community, building effective relationships and providing crisis intervention, safe housing and supportive services.

TAPS provides a wide variety of programs and information to all those affected by a death of a loved one in the line of military duty. Each Memorial Day weekend, TAPS invites their members to attend their four-day Memorial Day event in Arlington, Virginia. Members are offered workshops and other forms of support where they learn to share, cope and heal from some of America’s leading experts on trauma and grief. Since 2003, Knitters and Crocheters Care (KCC) has attended this event; we teach knitting and crocheting and provide comfort items to attendees that stop by the KCC table.

Additionally, if you’re looking to destash - Knitters and Crocheters Care is collecting yarn for charity projects and charitable organizations throughout the DC metro area.

You can also grab your knitting needles and/or your crochet hooks, and come and knit/crochet with us. You are welcome to bring your own yarn, however, we will provide charity yarn for you to work with. We will have a couple of knit and crochet charity scarves going at the charity table. Please come by and add a few rows!

Hope to see you there!!

Photos of last year's donations can be seen here and here in our Ravelry Group!

2018: Tempting Ewe Yarns

Vibrant, hand dyed yarns and fibers for knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers. We're unique because we've got two dyers who work to compliment each others colorways. Each dyers aesthetic allows us to appeal to a wider range of customers so we've got something tempting for everyone!



Website: Temptingeweyarns.com
Twitter: @TemptingEweYarn
Instagram: @temptingeweyarn
Facebook: temptingeweyarns
Ravelry: Tempting Ewe Yarns yarn page

Sponsor Profile: Knits and Pieces of Annapolis

What is your website?

knitsandpiecesmd.com

What is your Ravelry group?

Knits and Pieces of Annapolis


Where are you located and what are your hours?
626 Admiral Drive, Suite E,
Annapolis, MD. 21401
(410) 216-2897

hours:    
Tuesday, Friday     11-6

Wednesday, Thursday  11-8

Saturday      10-6

Sunday        12-6

What kinds of things do you carry?
We carry all sorts of yarns and fiber arts tools.  Some of the yarn lines we offer include Malabrigo, Blue Sky, Baah, Berroco, Lang, Plymouth, and Yoth.  We have a wide assortment of indie dyers including Yarn Hero, Leading Man, Unwind, Unplanned Peacock, Susquehanna and more.  We have one of the widest needle offerings in the state - Addi, ChiaoGoo, Knitter's Pride (Dreams, Karbonz, Zings, Cubics) and Lykke.

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open a LYS?
We have been in business since May 2017.  I felt that there was a strong demand for a local yarn shop that offered not only merchandise, but a community for knit and crochet enthusiasts.


What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?
How can there be just one favorite thing about owning a yarn shop?  I love being surrounded by beautiful fibers and a community of crafters who inspire me daily!

2018: Taylored Fibers

Hand dyed yarns and fibers, specializing in super soft large hanks of alpaca.



Website: www.tayloredfibers.etsy.com
Facebook: TayloredFibers
Ravelry: Taylored Fibers yarn page

Sponsor Profile: The Knot House

What is your website? Email

www.knothouseyarns.com

Email: cathy@knothouseyarns.com

What is your Ravelry group?

The Knot House

Where are you located and what are your hours?

129 E. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD

Hours:

Monday Closed

Tuesday 11AM-9PM

Wednesday thru Saturday 11AM-5PM

Sunday 12-4PM

What kinds of things do you carry?

We carry almost all Indie dyed Yarns including:

Shalimar

Magpie

Swift

Western Sky Knits

Julie Asselin

Olann

Spincycle Yarns

Just to name a few, as well as Shepards Wool, Shibui, and Kelbourne Woolens.

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open a LYS?

July will make 5 years. There wasn't a local yarn shop for over 3 years, so we thought with the building, light and hard work we would open one. We have enjoyed bringing the small Indie Dyers to the community, and enjoy looking for "what's new" all the time.

What's your favorite thing about owning a LYS?

Our favorite thing about owning The Knot House is the incredible sense of community it brings. Customers often say it is a happy place, and I don't think you can ask for more than that.

The Knot House also has a podcast! 

2018: StarKnits

Quality project bags, fabric baskets, stitch markers, customized crochet hooks and more!

I create what I call project support. I think everyone needs a little color and fun in their life! I offer quality project bags in very useful shapes and sizes and fun attractive fabrics,  stitch markers (both knitting and crochet) and custom crochet hooks. I love helping to organize and protect your projects as you carry them around.



Website: www.starknits.net
Twitter: @starknits
Instagram: @starknits
Facebook: StarKnits