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!

2013: SpaceCadet Creations

I believe that knitting & crocheting with gorgeous, vibrant colour makes people happier deep down inside. For me, dyeing is a cosmic adventure – a wonderful process of mixing each shade by hand and seeing where the colour takes me. I’m thrilled to be able to share the yarn I create!

spacecadetcreations.com/

 

Sponsor: Dog House Yarns

1. What is your website and email? 

www.DogHouseYarns.com       

E-mail:  There is a contact form on the website.

2.  What is your Ravelry name/group?   

Dog House Yarns

3.  Where are you located and what are your hours? 

708 Sunset Lane, Culpeper, VA  22701.  

From Northern Virginia take Rt. 29 from Warrenton to the fourth Culpeper exit which will be Rt. 29 business at the south end of the town.  Pass the motels and at the first traffic light turn right on Sunset Lane, start up the hill, and turn into the parking lot with the Good Earth Florist on the opposite end of the building.

Hours:  Always check the website because they sometimes change.  Right now it's Sunday noon to 4 p.m., Monday 11:30-ish to 5 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday - Closed, Thursday 11:30ish to 8 p.m., Friday 11:30ish to 3 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The "ish" on 11:30 is because the owner has an elderly dog that has difficulty walking because of arthritis and sometimes it takes her longer to leave home depending on what's happening with the dog.

4.  What kinds of things do you carry?  

We are a full service yarn shop, easily accessible to travelers using Rt. 29 from Northern Virginia to Charlottesville.  We always have a good selection of hand-dyed sock yarns in addition to yarns from the larger commercial companies.  We also offer a small selection of hand-dyed spinning fibers and some nice drop spindles from Kundert and KCL. Our main needle selection comes from Addi, Hiya-Hiya, and Chiao Goo in the circulars and Brittany and Chiao Goo in straights. And, we offer classes in basic knitting and crocheting, various knitting techniques and projects, beginner and intermediate spinning, and Tunisian crochet.  Classes are posted on our website.

5.  What's your favorite thing about having a LYS?  

The most obvious favorite thing is the opportunity to be around all the pretty colors and fibers of so many different types.  It's a pleasure to look around the shop and be greeted by color everywhere.  We've also met some very nice people, but in addition to that, having a shop has provided the catalyst for learning so many new skills.  The more one learns about various aspects of the fiber arts, the more there is to learn.  It tends to make you a very well rounded knitter who can crochet, spin, do Tunisian crochet, design basic patterns, and even do a little yarn dyeing.

2013: Snallygaster Yarns

We focus on self-striping (spiraling) sock yarn. We like bright colors and high contrast that make plain knit look spectacular. Many of our colorways are inspired by landmarks and neighborhoods in Baltimore where we grew up. We have recently expanded into hand-dyed rovings, and are experimenting with hand-dyed silk scarves.

 

www.snallygasterfibers.com

 

2013: Slippery Slope Farm

I have luxury fiber for spinners. Natural colored pygora, merino, and angora bunny fur from our farm animal. I also have hand dyed merino and pygora roving. My products are unique because Pygora is unique and unusual! I started our fiber farm because I am a fiber-oholic and what a better than to grow your own! And I love to share my treasures with others!

I am also a Greener Shades Dyes retailer. This is the brand of dyes that I use on my products.

www.etsy.com/shop/fibermenagerie

 

2013: Shalimar Yarns

Shalimar has a line of luxury hand dyed yarns and rovings, and patterns.

We carry exclusive yarns that range from 100% SW Merino to blends with cashmere, silk, alpaca and Yak (tba). We have over 70 regular colorways, both variegated and Stonewash, with pattern support for all of our yarn bases. 

www.shalimaryarns.com

 

Sponsor: The Knitting Boutique

1. What is your website? Email?
KnittingBoutique.com the KnittingBoutique@gmail.com

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



3. Where are you located and what are your hours?
The Knitting Boutique, 910 Cromwell Park Drive, Suite 108, Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Hours:

Monday - Closed

Tuesday and Wednesday - Noon to 7 pm

Thursday and Friday - Noon to 9 pm

Saturday - 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday - Noon to 5 pm

4. What kinds of things do you carry?
Needles: Addi, HiyaHiya, Plymouth Yarn: Malabrigo, Mountain Colors, Berroco, Noro, Juniper Moon, Debbie Bliss, Plymouth Bags: Hadaki



5. How long have you been in business, and what inspired you to open your business?  
The store opened a year and a half ago.  I wanted to open "A New Kind of Yarn Store" which means utilizing technology including electronic pattern library, cameras and monitors in the classroom for instructor's teaching aide, as well as open, comfortable space.

6. What's your favorite thing about having your business?
Our classes and our Famous Knitter Workshop Series. We have 8 instructors with classes for all levels including "Free Beginning Knit" three times a week.