2020: Duck Duck Wool

Duck Duck Wool chases whimsy and color, skein by skein, as a small indie-dyer operation located in Northern Virginia. All yarns are dyed by hand, in small quantities, by the owner and creator, Sandra Miracle. Most colorways are inspired by simple things that unlock a favorite memory. Once I have a color in mind, I can't help but chase it. And it is my sincerest hope that the colors captured might call to others, too.

Website: duckduckwool.com

Instagram: @duckduckwool

Facebook: duckduckwool

Ravelry: Duck Duck Wool Yarn Page

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to start your business?

Since 2013. I started dyeing as an extension of my knitting journey--I had certain colors in my mind and I embraced the challenge of trying to create them myself.

What's your favorite thing about being a yarnie?

The community! Hand dyeing has connected me to so many fellow makers who are as passionate about fiber and color as I am. It's truly the best.

For the Virtual Homespun Yarn Party, March 22, 2020, 12-5 PM:

• Online shopping: Place orders on www.etsy.com/shop/duckduckwool
• Virtual Booth: Flickr: 2020 Duck Duck Wool
• Discount / Special Offer: free domestic shipping with code (plus special volunteer discount - check your emails)
• Platform(s) for the virtual HYP:  Facebook, Instagram, Ravelry

2020: CreateTricks (new vendor!)

CreateTricks produces hand-crafted project bags with vintage and limited quantity, high-quality fabrics. Many bags sport vintage and specialty buttons from my mother, who collected them for decades! All bags are designed and made with creativity and care by a knitting addict. Project bags range from the largest Liz Tote with snap closure for blankets and sweaters, to medium zipper and drawstring bags, to small notions bags. The Janice Bag (an exclusive design) sits up on the table or can be worn on the wrist, and holds shawls and mid-sized sweaters. Fabric is sourced from estate sales, interior designers, destashers, and thrift stores. Every Bag has a Story!

Website: createtricks.com

Instagram: @thecreatetricks

Facebook: TheCreateTricks

What shops carry your products?
SO Original Yarn Studio, Sandy Spring, MD

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to start your business?
Full-time since January 2018. It started with buttons. Hundreds of them. I’m not making that up. Mom said I could have them but only if I put them to good use, so I made myself a knitting project bag and added a button. Then I made another. And another (there were a LOT of buttons)! I started changing up the patterns, adjusting them to fit my needs. Friends began to ask whether they could buy my bags, and CreateTricks bags were born. Fabric for my bags comes from estate sales, destashers, friends, interior designers, and fabric store clearance racks. I love vintage and mid-century modern designs. Recycling and reusing materials helps keep my prices reasonable.

What's your favorite thing about being a maker?
Playing with color and texture, my bright sun-filled studio, interacting with knitters!

Is your shop involved in any charity or educational efforts you’d like to let people know about?
For every 10 bags sold, CreateTricks donates a bag to organizations working on behalf of at-risk women and children. Every purchase helps someone in need.

For the Virtual Homespun Yarn Party, March 22, 2020, 12-5 PM:
 

Online shopping: Place orders on www.etsy.com/shop/CreateTricksBags

Virtual Booth: Flickr: CreateTricks

Discount / Special Offer: 10% off if 3 bags are purchased in one transaction

Platform(s) for the virtual HYP:  Facebook

 

2020: Crabapple Yarns

Hand dyed luxury yarn and fiber including yak, silk and merino. This year I'm bringing back luscious spinning fiber in bright, vibrant colors.

Website: crabappleyarns.com

Instagram: @crabappleyarns

Facebook: CrabappleYarns

Ravelry: Crabapple Yarns Yarn page

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to start your business?

I’ve been in business for 11 years. I started my business as an outlet for my anxiety and depression. I found if my hands were busy, my mind was good. I started dyeing beautiful yarn for myself to knit and weave with and my business was born!

What's your favorite thing about being a yarnie?

I enjoy this community so much. It’s made up of so many types of people, from all different backgrounds. It’s just amazing.

For the Virtual Homespun Yarn Party, March 22, 2020, 12-5 PM:

• Online shopping: Place orders on crabappleyarns.com
• Virtual Booth: Flickr: Homespun Yarn Party 2020 and YouTube: Homespun Yarn Party Preview
• Discount / Special Offer: I will be offering a kit specifically for show "attendees" as well as a 20% discount with code
• Platform(s) for the virtual HYP:  Facebook, Instagram

2020: Brediculous Yarns

Going for my B.A. in college, yarn dyeing was not exactly a part of the career path I was going for. But now I am a full time yarn dyer using crock pots to created variegated colorways. That's right, crock pots. Different, unique, and tons of fun!

Website: brediculousyarns.etsy.com, brediculousyarns.com

Instagram: @brediculousyarns

Facebook: BrediculousYarns

Ravelry: Brediculous Yarns Yarn Page

What shops carry your products?
Stockist list: brediculousyarns.com/pages/retailers

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to start your business?
I been in business since 2016. It all started when I was in college going for my B.A. when I picked up knitting. From there I wanted to do more. I was introduced to a local yarn shop called Lovely Yarns, and from there I was introduced to the wonders of hand dyed yarn. From there I graduated college, got a couple jobs, and saved up money to invest in dyeing yarn. From there I have been hooked.

What's your favorite thing about being a yarnie?
Creating beautiful colors

Is your shop involved in any charity or educational efforts you’d like to let people know about?

Even though the event is ending soon there is a charity for DSI going on. If you buy the colorway Unicorn Barf in my shop all proceeds will go to that program.

For the Virtual Homespun Yarn Party, March 22, 2020, 12-5 PM:

Online shopping: Place orders on brediculousyarns.etsy.com, brediculousyarns.com

Virtual Booth: Flickr: 2020 Brediculous Yarns

Discount / Special Offer: 15% off entire order with code

Platform(s) for the virtual HYP:  Facebook 

2020: Black Purl Magic (new vendor!)

Black Purl Magic is a BIPOC woman-owned business that creates items that are useful to crafters. It is our goal to create craft inclusive items, including but not limited to, project bags, stitch markers, enamel pins, etc. that bring an eclectic and diverse feel to the fiber community.

Instagram: @blackpurlmagic
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackPurlMagic

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to start your business?

I’ve been in business for one year. I was inspired by my love of knitting notions and wanting to see representation in the knitting community. Through this inspiration, I put together quirky and cultured notions, pins and bags for the fiber world.

What's your favorite thing about being a maker?

The community. It’s so fulfilling and overwhelming to know that so many people in the fiber community can identify with the items I have to offer. This is truly an amazing circle of people!

 

 

For the Virtual Homespun Yarn Party, March 22, 2020, 12-5 PM:
 

Online shopping: Place orders on www.etsy.com/shop/BlackPurlMagic

Virtual Booth: YouTube: Black Purl Magic

Discount / Special Offer: 15% off all orders with code. 20% off for fellow vendors. 

Platform(s) for the virtual HYP:  Instagram, Facebook

 

2020: Backyard Fiberworks

Backyard Fiberworks produces inspired colorways pulled right out of the backyard. Our work is grounded in rich and complex color, luxurious and hardworking fibers, and an attention to detail that creates extraordinary yarns. We are located in Maryland and specialize in hand-dyed yarn, offering extraordinary colorways in wonderful bases that provide knitters with an opportunity to select uncommon materials to create exceptional and unique projects.

Website: backyardfiberworks.com

Instagram: @backyardfiberworks

Ravelry: Backyard Fiberworks Yarn Page

For the Virtual Homespun Yarn Party, March 22, 2020, 12-5 PM:

• Online shopping: backyardfiberworks.com
• Virtual Booth: TBD
• Discount / Special Offer: TBD
• Platform(s) for the virtual HYP:  TBD

2020: Avalon Springs Farm

Avalon Springs Farm is a small farm and fiber art studio. We produce our own yarns and roving based on our fiber. We also have an variety of hand dyed yarns, kits, patterns and a few finished goods.

Website: avalonspringsfarm.com

Instagram: @avalonspringsfarm

Facebook: avalonspringsfarm and Yarn & Fiber SALE, Avalon Springs Farm

Ravelry: Avalon Springs Farm Yarn Page
Ravelry Group: Friends & Fans of AVALON SPRINGS FARM
YouTube: Avalon Springs Farm

Do you have a brick & mortar location people can visit?

29100 Ridge Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771 

We do monthly and annual events including farm tours, however, currently we are operating on "by appointment only" for under 10 persons at a time. We will follow MD state guidelines and policy as the situation evolves.

How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to start your business?

We started the farm part back in 1997 and slowly began the yarn and fiber part between 2003 and 07. I was a public school art teacher and I made a career change to do my own art and craft. I feel lucky as I have been passionate about both!

What's your favorite thing about being a farmer, yarnie, or maker?

Yes - Hooray! I am a farmer, yarnie and maker! For me - to live is to create! And I love two primary aspects of what I do... I love the doing and the making and the creative part of all the yarns and the rovings, but I am a people person too. So, I also love connecting with people about their own artistic passions!

Is your shop involved in any charity or educational efforts you’d like to let people know about?

We have two: We sell Saint Mary's Scarf kits that when knitted up make a wearable "pink ribbon" to support Breast Cancer and the Cancer Society. The second one is we sell fiber angle ornaments. They support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In both cases proceeds are sent to the foundations.

 

For the Virtual Homespun Yarn Party, March 22, 2020, 12-5 PM:

Online shopping: Place orders on www.avalonspringsfarm.com/shop

Virtual Booth: YouTube: Avalon Springs Farm Channel

Discount / Special Offer: 15% off with code free shipping on all orders for $100

Platform(s) for the virtual HYP:  Facebook, Instagram, Ravelry