2020 Classes, Swag, and the Ever-Popular Longest Thread Competition

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 you two new intermediate technique classes this year:

Mosaic knitting is a technique using two colors of yarn and slipped stitches to create colored patterns in knitting, working only one color per row. We'll give a brief description of mosaic knitting, show some samples, talk about yarn and needles choices, how to read mosaic charts and written instructions, and will end with a small sample project. Yarn will be provided, or bring your own contrasting colors.

© kiraknits

Want to take your crochet to the next level? Smitten with color work and want to get it on your hooks? Just have a cross stitch pattern laying around that you think would make a really cool throw pillow? Come learn how to do tapestry crochet and add those crisp color patterns to your next project. Grab any two colors and a hook, and we'll show you all the rest. Knowledge of how to chain and single crochet are helpful, but absolute beginners can learn too.

© tobebeatrice

In our popular More Ways to Cast On class, we'll show a few different options - 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.

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

12:45 – Intro to Crochet

1:15 – Mosaic Knitting

1:45 – Intro to Drop Spindle

2:15 – Tapestry Crochet

2:45 – Intro to Drop Spindle

3:15 – More Ways to Cast-On

3:45 – Longest Thread Contest

4:15 – Intro to Knitting

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.

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 hats for the 500 Hats Project. Some hats will be started if you'd like to stop by and add a few rounds. You can read more about this year's project here.

We'll have large and small Homespun Yarn Party bags in new colors, stickers, stitch marker boxes, key tags, tape measures, and buttons for sale at the HYP swag table just inside the door. 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...

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 welcome wheel spinning and electric spinners outside. 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).

2019 Classes, Contests, 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 popular intermediate level classes this year and add an intermediate crochet class:

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'll be able to watch a spit splice demonstration then try it on your own!

We're also offering a new class this year on crocheted granny squares. If you've mastered the basic crochet stitches and are ready to try something a little more advanced, join us to learn how to make the building blocks of an afghan. Granny squares are a great portable project. We'll review how to read a basic crochet pattern, how to get started crocheting in the round, how to turn a corner on a square, and how to join your squares together.

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

12:45 – Intro to Knitting

1:15 – Intro to Crochet

1:45 – Intro to Drop Spindle

2:15 – More Ways to Cast-On

2:45 – Intro to Drop Spindle

3:15 – Granny Squares

3:45 – Longest Thread Contest

4:15 – Weaving In and Joining Ends

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.

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 for the 500 Hats Project. If you have any extra yarn you'd like to donate, we will be happy to take it off your hands at the charity table. Some hats will be started if you'd like to stop by and add a few rounds. You can read more about this year's project here.

We'll have Homespun Yarn Party bags, stickers, stitch markers, stitch marker boxes, key tags, tape measures, and buttons for sale at the HYP swag table just inside the door. 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 welcome wheel spinning and electric spinners outside. 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 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.

Breaking News! One-on-One Help from our Roving Teachers!

Do you have a project in the works that could benefit from some quick expert advice?  Bring it along!

In addition to our regularly scheduled classes this year, 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!

As a reminder, our class sessions are detailed here:

1:15 - More Ways to Cast On
1:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle (bring fiber & spindle)
2:15 - Weaving Ends and Joining Yarn
2:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle (bring fiber & spindle)
3:15 - Fixing Your Mistakes (bring your swatch, needles, and a hook)
3:45 - Longest Thread Contest (bring fiber & spindle)
4:15 - Intro Knit or Crochet or Sock Machine and Spinning Demonstrations

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.

2017 Classes, Contests, Prizes, Swag, and more!

For the last few years, 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. In honor of our 10th anniversary, this year's winner will receive former local vendor Sarah Eyre's Craftsy class, Professional Yarn Dyeing at Home, donated by our spinning teacher Lauren.

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 you two new 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.

We're also bringing back the "Fixing Your Mistakes" class. Bring a 3"x3" stockinette swatch on large needles with you and we'll teach you how to easily pick up a dropped stitch, add a yarnover when you realize you've missed it on a later row, and fix a twisted or accidentally purled/knitted stitch. Bring a crochet hook appropriate for the yarn used in your swatch if possible; picking up stitches will be easier with one. If you don't have time to swatch you can watch our demo.

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

1:15 - More Ways to Cast On
1:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle (bring fiber & spindle)
2:15 - Weaving Ends and Joining Yarn
2:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle (bring fiber & spindle)
3:15 - Fixing Your Mistakes (bring your swatch, needles, and a hook)
3:45 - Longest Thread Contest (bring fiber & spindle)
4:15 - Intro Knit or Crochet or Sock Machine and Spinning Demonstrations

In addition to our group sessions, our teachers will be available for one-on-one project help and Q&A throughout the day.  More details are available here.

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 comfort monsters for TAPS, hats and scarves for Alternative House, and chemo caps for Anne Arundel Medical Center in memory of HYP volunteer Beth Haneke. 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 some limited edition 10th anniversary buttons this year. 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...

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 an antique sock machine. Keep your fingers crossed for lovely weather, but our vendors are all indoors so we are mud-free and dry, rain or shine!

Classes, Prizes, HYP Swag, and the popular Longest Thread Contest!

For the last few years, 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 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 and yarn 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 you a new knitting class this year.  Bring a 3"x3" stockinette swatch on large needles with you and we'll teach you how to easily pick up a dropped stitch, add a yarnover when you realize you've missed it on a later row, and fix a twisted or accidentally purled/knitted stitch.  Bring a crochet hook appropriate for the yarn used in your swatch if possible. Picking up stitches will be easier with one.  

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

1:15 - Intro to Knitting

1:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle (bring fiber & spindle)

2:15 - Intro to Crochet
2:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle (bring fiber & spindle)

3:15 - Advanced Beginner Knitting - Fixing Your Mistakes (bring your swatch, needles, and a hook)

3:45 - Longest Thread Contest (bring fiber & spindle)
4:15 - Intro Knit or Crochet or Sock Machine Demonstration

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 - 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 comfort monsters and scarves for TAPS and Alternative House and 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. Donors will be entered into a prize drawing.  Some hats and 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. 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...

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, batt making, and an antique sock machine.  Keep your fingers crossed for lovely weather, but our vendors are all indoors so we are mud-free and dry, rain or shine!

Classes, Door Prizes, Charity, and the popular Longest Thread Contest!

For the last few years, 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 classes on knitting, crochet, and drop spindle throughout the day. Have your needles or hook ready for knit and crochet lessons; yarn will be provided - for the spinning lessons, you can purchase some fiber and a spindle from one of our lovely vendors or bring your own. Classes are held at the center tables.

1:15- Intro to Knitting

1:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle

2:15- Intro to Crochet

2:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle

3:45 - Longest Thread Contest

We'll also 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 - 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 comfort monsters and scarves for TAPS and 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. You can read more about this year's project here.

Finally, we'll have HYP tote bags, project bags, and buttons for sale at the HYP swag table just inside the door. 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.

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

Classes, Door Prizes, Charity, and the popular Longest Thread Contest!

For the last two years, 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 classes on knitting, crochet, and drop spindle throughout the day. Yarn and loaner hooks/needles for knit and crochet lessons will be provided - for the spinning lessons, you can purchase some fiber and a spindle from one of our lovely vendors or bring your own. Classes are held at the center tables.

1:15- Intro to Knitting

1:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle

2:15- Intro to Crochet

2:45 - Intro to Drop Spindle

3:45 - Longest Thread Contest

We'll also 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 - 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 hats for Alternative House and 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. You can read more about this year's project here.

Finally, we'll have HYP tote bags, project bags, buttons and other fun goodies for sale at the HYP swag table just inside the door. 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.

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

Sponsor Profile: Blended Threads Workshops

1. What is your website? Email?
www.blendedthreadsworkshops.com
bobbi@blendedthreadsworkshops.com

2. What is your Ravelry name/group?Ravelry: BTW - Blended Threads Workshops

3. Where are you locate?
 14512 Cobblestone Drive
Silver Spring, MD 20905
301.758.7298


4. Tell us about your business.
Blended Threads Workshops and Designs create opportunities to express the creative side and rejuvenate the soul. Not a typical brick and mortar store, we offer you the chance to learn a new skill or more fully develop one you already enjoy in an environment away “from it all.” Peaceful settings help you relax and soothe away some of the tangles of the modern world.

Retreats, multi-day workshops from presenters and instructors in many fiber arts disciplines as well as wellness workshops for hand crafters are the specialty of Blended Threads. Be it knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving or dyeing, there’s an event for you.

Explore 4™ on the Eastern Shore with Deborah Robson started the ball rolling in 2013. Deb will be back in October 2014 for another great week. Also in early planning stages are retreats with Donna Druchunas, Sivia Harding, and Cheryl Potter. Plans for Spring and Summer 2014 Spinning Day Out Events at local farms are coming too.

Blended Threads Designs are knitting and crochet patterns that reflect our passion for the unique beauty of natural fibers. We don’t do a lot of intricate stitch manipulations that distract the artist from the relaxation and rejuvenation of the craft, rather easy to learn and repeat patterns to soothe the spirit.

5. What's your favorite thing about owning your business?
We love getting the opportunity to work closely with the experts and bring their particular skills to small group environments - for all to share.

Longest Thread Competition, Classes, Prizes, Charity Collection, Winding Station, and Swag!

Last year we ran The Longest Thread Competition at Homespun Yarn Party. It was such a hit, that we’re doing it again!

Bring your favorite drop spindle, and we’ll provide 10g of fiber. 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? Lauren will teach you! We'll offer classes on knitting, crochet, and drop spindle throughout the day. Yarn for lessons will be provided - just bring a set of needles or a hook, or pick up some fiber and a spindle from one of our lovely vendors. Classes are held at the center tables.

We'll also 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 - 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 hats for HomeStretch and 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. You can read more about this year's project here.

Finally, we'll have a fun little giveaway to commemorate the 6th annual Homespun Yarn Party and we'll also have HYP tote bags, project bags, and other fun goodies for sale at the HYP swag table just inside the door. 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.

Weather permitting, the deck will be available to hand out and socialize if you need a break from shopping. Keep your fingers crossed for lovely weather, but our vendors are all indoors so we are mud-free and dry, rain or shine!

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.

Charity Crafting, Classes, and Demonstrations

Charity: Knitters and Crocheters Care

We're excited to have Knitters and Crocheters Care coming to the event to coordinate some charity knitting. We'll have some interactive crafting during the event: bring squares for children and baby blankets and we'll assemble 'em into blankets while we are there. Squares should be either 7" by 9", or 8" square. There will be donated yarn on hand if you want to work on this project. You are also welcome to bring extra yarn or finished items for donation - baby hats, animal blankets, memory pillows ... just about anything is welcome.

Free Classes

Our free classes will be at the introductory level, so come prepared to pick up a new skill. We'll have sessions on knitting, crochet, and spinning on a drop spindle. Classes will be announced before they begin, and will be limited by space availability at our class tables on a first come, first served basis. We will have yarn, needles and some hooks available, but you will need to provide your own spindle and fiber for the spinning class. Several vendors will have spindles available for purchase at the event.

Fun Demos

Space and weather permitting, we will be presenting some informal demonstrations during the event as well. Watch yarn be created before your eyes, or try your hand at spinning on a wheel or drop spindle. We plan to have several different models available for you to look at, and our spinning instructor would be happy to discuss lessons if you get hooked.