Woolful

Sponsor: Shibui Knits was born in 2007, in the basement of Darcy Cameron’s yarn store Knit Purl in Portland, Oregon. Faced with the limitations of yarn from big-brand companies, she started her own label, bringing yarn of the highest quality to small, independent stores like her own. Shibui Knits has since grown to represent timeless sophistication in local yarn stores worldwide. All of the Shibui yarns are designed to become unique, luxury fabrics in a coordinated palette made for mixing, at any gauge. Each pattern is tailored with thoughtful techniques, resulting in an intuitive knitting process and garments with optimal fit. Today, they continue to be grounded in the concept of simplicity well executed, with loving attention to detail. In March of this year Shibui launched the SS17 collection along with their newest yarn Lunar, a lace weight merino and silk blend. You can view the SS17 lookbook along with the full line of Shibui yarns at shibuiknits.com and make sure to follow along on Ravelry and Instagram @shibuiknits Fiber folk: When I think of shawl designers, Melanie Berg is one of the first to come to mind. Her work has inspired a generation of shawl knitters and her soft and sweet presence charms anyone who’s had the opportunity to […]

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. The most recent issue GROW features a collection of wonderful finds as we close out Spring and step in Summer. With lessons in dyeing, making dolls, kefir, brunch and herbal recipes, essays on Marion Stoddart and the wonder of cacao, and a collection of knitting, crochet and sewing projects. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag. Fiber folk: Beatrice Perron Dahlen is a woman of many talents and I’m continually amazed with her creations and contributions to this fiber world, whether it be knitwear, embroidery or dyeing. But more than that, Beatrice is a mother who invests in her family, exploring creative ways to provide and balance being a maker […]

Sponsor: The Sated Sheep opened in February of 2015 in Dripping Springs Texas by Allison Wilcox. After practicing as a clinical psychologist for 30 years, Allison began looking to do something different..to focus on being a part of and building community, which led her to open The Sated Sheep. Allison shares, “I really believe that you change the world one moment and one soul at a time, and that a big part of that is education. I spend a lot of time just talking with folks who come in about where the yarns come from, how they are made, what the story is behind the person/company who made them etc. That’s super important to me personally and I try, as much as I can, to have that reflected in the choices I make in the shop.” The Sated Sheep is passionate about making craft accessible to everyone and they’ve partnered with the local library to offer free classes twice a month. So if you’re in the Austin or Dripping Springs Texas area or just passing through, make sure to seek out The Sated Sheep. Stop in for coffee or tea beer or wine, and try some of their homemade raw dark […]

Sponsor: Sunday Knits has quickly become one of my new favorite yarns to knit with. Started in 2008 by Carol Sunday, Sunday Knits is a collection of 4 merino and merino blend yarns and beautiful patterns designed by Carol. From the 100% extra-fine Australian merino to the French Angora, all their fibers are humanely sourced and then milled in Italy to Carol’s meticulous and caring specifications. Aside from this yarns obvious qualities, they’re a dream to knit with…so soft yet sturdy and the breadth of colors are beautiful and perfect for color work…I have yet to move beyond swatching, as there are so many great uses for this wholesome yarn. And if you enjoy knitting shawls, make sure to take a look at Carol’s latest patterns, Windfeather and Water Hyacinth, featuring lacework and texture…a little warmth and a lot of style makes these beautiful shawls a wardrobe staple, and an enjoyable knit in any of Sunday Knits’ yarns. You can also find kits for these designs on their website. Visit Sunday Knits at sundayknits.com or if you can make a trip to Roscoe, Illinois near the Wisconsin state line, make an appointment to visit Sunday Knits gorgeous studio. You can follow […]

Sponsor: Making is a bi-annual handcrafts publication created by Carrie Bostick Hoge of Madder, that brings crafts people from different areas of focus to one publication. The act of making helps to connect us to the past, knowing that many craft skills were practiced daily out of necessity. We also connect to our present, as we stop to slow down and enjoy the work at hand, leaving behind the stress of our busy days. And, possibly at the heart of our creations, is the future. As the sweater we knit or the blanket we quilt becomes an heirloom for our family to use, enjoy, and pass down to the next generation. Circling back and tying us to the past. All these connections are equally important and help to bring meaning and value to the beauty and utility we make. Subscriptions just opened for 2017, with the Spring issue DOTS shipping in May, which includes a Q & A piece with today’s guest Maura Ambrose and myself, and the Fall issue LINES shipping in October. This year you’ll enjoy projects, essays and more from And if you missed past issues, they’ll be available beginning next week from the shop. Make sure to […]

Sponsor: Taproot Magazine, is a quarterly print magazine full of delightful stories and photos written by and for people living fuller and digging deeper. Each issue is created around a subtle theme, featuring amazing recipes, crafts, and tales, all with the intention of inspiring people who are interested in deepening their connections to their families, communities, and themselves as they strive to live locally and closer to the ground. The content in each issue consistently blows me away. It is fulfilling and inspiring. The most recent issue WEAVE features a collection of wonderful finds as we close out Winter and step in Spring. With lessons in growing Cosmos, Paleo and homemade bitters recipes, Wendell Berry and Tasha Tudor essays, and a collection of knitting and crochet how-to’s. There is so much goodness in each issue. You can visit Taproot Magazine online at Taprootmag.com and on Instagram @taprootmag. Fiber folk: Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Matt and Christina of Greenbow Farm…first discovering their yarn, visiting their farm and following their incredible journey on Instagram. This first generation family run farm is an inspiration, that with hard work, sacrifice, gumption, drive and business savvy, you can achieve your farm dreams. […]

Sponsor: Scratch is an innovative new yarn and craft supply shop located in Lebanon, New Hampshire. They’re committed to providing a beautifully curated selection of yarns and supplies for knitters, as well as roving, tools, and kits for needle felters. Their shop also features embroidery, sewing, and select fine art supplies. Scratch operates with the guiding notion that makers are curious and creative, and  should be able to find exciting, high quality materials to work with all in one place. Scratch is also home to the areas only handcraft focused makerspace–home to a sewing bar, multiple looms, common workspace, a tool library, and more! Explore their full schedule of classes, and weekly Craft Night focused on building the creative community in the Upper Valley. You can find Scratch online at www.scratchmakerspace.com, and on Facebook & Instagram: @scratchmakerspace Fiber folk: Sylvia McFadden has a gift…evoking grace, calm and desire by combining wool, imagination and a keen eye for color and composition. I’ve been a big fan of Sylvia’s work for some time and am enamored by her designs and most recent book, Shawl Joy. Her tenacity for life and her various photography and youth based programs gives you a bit more of a glimpse into her life and heart. I […]

Sponsor: Designs by Romi came about serendipitously in 2005 when designer Romi Hill began creating a collection of simple and elegant shawl pins as a solution to her problem of the shawls she’d worked so hard on, not staying put. What started as a bespoke side project, soon turned into passion, leading to knitwear designs many of us have come to love. Romi’s style transcends the common wardrobe, appealing to both novice and seasoned knitters. Her most recent eBook from the 7 Small Shawls Series, Asymmetry is a celebration of lace, a brilliant collection incorporating lace patterns with some of our favorite yarns. Make sure to check find this eBook on Ravelry. And on February 1st Romi will be releasing a new eBook subscription. And Feb 24-26, if you find yourself at Stitches West, make sure to stop by and say hi to Romi in person who will be at the Verb for Keeping Warm booth #917,919 and 921. You can find Design by Romi at designsbyromi.com and follow her on Instagram @romidesigns Fiber folk: I first became captivated by Shannon Haye’s work when I came across her site after searching ‘Multigenerational Farming’ and quickly became engrossed in her blog and books. Shannon […]

Sponsor: Located in Historic Downtown Laramie, Wyoming, Cowgirl Yarn is a fiber-lover’s paradise. Their unique collection of scrumptious yarns, luxurious needles, fashion-forward patterns, one-of-a-kind accessories, and oodles of inspiration provides the ideal home for any and all knitters, crocheters, weavers, and spinners. They are proud to offer a large and exclusive selection of yarns and fibers that are produced in Wyoming. They also represent over 25 brands that are made in the USA as well as stock goods from 6 out of the 7 continents. Enjoy a taste of the world, of the United States, of Wyoming at Cowgirl Yarn. Make sure to visit cowgirlyarn.com for a list of their gatherings and classes, including their community gathering everyone Monday evening. And follow along with their fiber exploration on Facebook, Instagram, the Cowgirl Yarn blog or join our Email list. Fiber folk: Erika Barratt has created a whimsical world from natural fibers and dyes, trimmings, buttons and do-dads. What began as a fiber fascination early in life, bloomed into a beautiful fiber journey that’s lead her to create heirloom dolls, each with their own story. I’ve long admired her attention to detail, use of natural fibers and the playfulness she brings to her […]

Sponsor: By Hand is a series of lookbooks that focus on different fiber and fabric “making communities” around the country. Each serial features photo journals and interviews with both up-and-coming and well-known yarn designers and dyers, local yarn stores, knitwear designers, fabric artists, and other makers who share the same philosophy and aesthetic of hand crafting functional forms to share and connect with others in the community. Projects, patterns, classes, and opportunities to purchase the artists’ work are also included, as well as opportunities to share what is beautiful and unique about each locale. Issue #1 features Portland, Oregon – meet local yarn dyers, designers, companies, and an amazing local yarn store. Find recipes, exclusive knitting patterns made from our featured yarns, and other hand craft projects.  Learn about some of the artists who make up Portland’s creative community, including a pastry chef, an indigo dyer, a letterpress designer, and a team of ceramics artists.  Find hand making classes in Portland that will inspire and challenge you.  Take a photographic day trip to Timberline Lodge and enjoy the beauty and diversity of Portland.  Coming up:  Issue #2, featuring Portland and mid-coast Maine (to be released late Jan. 2017), and Issue #3, […]