Indie Dyers
Nancy Olfs
My fiber journey started when when I was a little girl. I remember Sunday evenings, the family would gather to watch slide shows. As we sat together in the dark I could hear my grandmother’s knitting needles clicking and my desire to knit grew from those moments.
My knitting practice started and stopped many times throughout my young adult life. I didn’t realize how important knitting would become to me until my daughter unexpectedly passed away and knitting quickly became my go-to release. Fast forward many years, and once again I found myself turning to knitting as a stress reliever when my husband was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
I taught him to knit when he became too ill to work, and he loved it! We started to play with yarn dyeing too, but it got set aside as he got sicker. He was a trooper, but his body grew tired and he passed away. Trilogy Yarns is in memory of him; I know that with each skein I dye, he is there with me.
You can also find Trilogy Yarns on Facebook and Instagram.
Jessica Whitmore
Jessica Whitmore’s passion and specialty is dyeing vibrant colorways to inspire makers to show their creativity and unique style. Jadawoo Designs started in August 2020, borne out of a love for yarn, and the realization there was room for more colorways and dyers in the fiber community. In Jessica’s words “There is no great pandemic story behind the start of my yarn dyeing business. The truth of the matter is that I love yarn! I love going to yarn stores and being inspired by all of the colorways. I love finding the perfect yarn and pairing the perfect pattern to go with it. It is our mission to help bring communities together, through a common love for the fiber arts.”
Besides her website, you can find Jessica on Instagram.
Sarah Kain
A Love for Nature Fires My Love for Color
Nature has always been my primary source of artistry for color. The Tetons are the inspiration for most of my colorways. There are always new color revelations around every corner; from the blooms of wildflowers, the high mountain lakes, to fiery sunsets. I founded Teton Yarn Company because I love to knit, I love color, I love the mountains and being able to combine my passions to share with you.
At Teton Yarn Company, we celebrate yarn, color, and the Tetons! Offering a variety of hand-dyed wool yarns for the fiber artist, from delicate laceweight yarns to worsted weight yarns, and all weights in between. All my yarns are hand-dyed by me in my studio in the heart of Teton Valley, Idaho. I dye small batches of one of a kind variegated multi-color colorways and a rainbow of tonal colorways for the fiber artist.
You can also find Sarah on Facebook and Instagram.
Molly Brusewitz
Quantum Entanglement Yarn began in our tiny kitchen in Kenmore, Washington when I got tired of looking at some yarn that had been in the shop for YEARS. No one was buying it and a customer suggested over-dying it. My husband Bob and I wound the yarn into cakes and placed them in gallon sized mason jar. We were hooked! Bob came up with the name “Quantum Entanglement” because he’s proud to call himself a geek and he wanted something “spooky action at a distance” sounding. It’s been a fun learning experience for me; I knew nothing about physics prior to this venture. We now have 7 yarn lines under the Quantum Entanglement brand, and Bob does all the naming: he’s so good at it!
Quantum Entanglement can be found at Ties That Bind Yarn in Moses Lake WA as well as online on Facebook and Instagram.
Selah Martin
Bigfoot Yarn is a small, one woman owned and operated indie dye company based on the Key Peninsula in Washington State. While working in the ER for nearly 20 years, I found that I needed a way to decompress after stressful shifts. I’ve always been a bit artistic, so I started knitting as a form of meditation. Spinning wool became a natural progression of the fiber arts. My next step was yarn dyeing and with that I was hooked and have been dyeing ever since. I am so grateful that I get to spend my time doing what I love.
I try my best to bring a little bit of the spooky, moody, personality of the Pacific Northwest to my customers by dying yarns based on my favorite myths and legends as well as the misty forest that I live in. When I’m not dyeing yarn, you can find me chasing my four-year-old around our little hobby farm, hanging out with my sheep, and hiking in the Olympics, all while drinking an unhealthy amount of coffee.
In addition to my website you can find me on Instagram and Facebook.
Farm To Fiber
Heidi Lucey
My lifelong love of the fiber arts began with me crocheting at my great grandma’s knee. As an adult, I took up the practice again, and began taking classes to build on my skills. I particularly enjoyed spinning workshops taught by Barbara Seeler, who has become my mentor.
Mad Caper Farm started as my 7 year old son’s rabbitry, eventually becoming a family project on 20 acres raising Cheviot & Cormo Sheep, Angora Goats, Hucaya Alpacas, geese, ducks, chickens, Mini Rex & Angora Rabbits, as well as providing a home for a troublesome family of beavers. Now our focus is my heritage size Cheviots and a wandering flock of chickens.
Mad Caper Farm can be found on Facebook and Instagram
Pronkin’ Pastures Alpaca Ranch
LeeAnna Jorgenson
I started raising alpacas 18 years ago, when my husband and I purchased our home on a 10-acre parcel of land on beautiful Whidbey Island. We decided to raise livestock. That led me to alpacas. Three months after we moved in, the beginning of our herd arrived; 3 pregnant females and 2 crias. Over the years we continued to breed and at one point we had a herd of 50! That proved to be a little too ambitious, so we are now comfortable with a herd of 25.
I enjoy the entire process from raising babies to picking the finished product for each fleece. I love alpaca fiber, but almost always have it blended with other animal and/or plant fibers to create a unique, one-of-a-kind product. We have a shop onsite where we sell our yarn and handmade items. We give farm tours with an appointment. When I’m not involved with farm tours, alpacas, or fiber, I love working in my flower garden, cooking, and playing with my dog, Lexi.
In addition to their website you can find Pronkin’ Pastures Alpaca Ranch on their Facebook page and on Instagram
Local Yarn Stores
Shelley Stone
Shelley Stone owns and operates The Yarn Underground in Moscow, Idaho, and dyes yarn as Palouse Yarn Co. She is currently working on small-batch yarn sourcing, sharing an old love of darning with anyone who will listen, and learning to weave, in between trips to the woods, rivers, and berry patches of Idaho with her family.
. The Yarn Underground has been a hub of the fiber community since 2010, and we’re here to bring you quality, squishy yarn, irresistible fiber, affordable tools, classes with really fun teachers and most importantly, good help! Our mission is to keep the fiber community vibrant while supporting local and American companies.
This year The Yarn Underground is being represented by Ashley Beals, one of the fabulous staff members. Ashley shares her sunny disposition and her fiber arts knowledge with everyone who will listen, tries every new thing possible, including dyeing and her current rabbit hole, Tunisian Crochet. She is fluent in Spanish, loves to travel, and is behind all The Yarn Underground’s social media and emails.
You can visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Erica Kafka
Erica has spent many years in the fiber industry, both in retail and production. She used to joke with friends about what her dream yarn shop would look like and in 2021 that wish became a reality! “My dreams were generally about the aesthetic; the lovely community that has assembled since the opening of my little shop is more than I could ever have imagined! I am so overwhelmed by the love and support of our local fiber community; stitching is better when we are all together!”
Three Loves offers boutique yarns, needles, notions, and gift items for all sorts of stitchers from beginner to seasoned expert. Their goal is to supply, care for, encourage, and grow the community of makers in the Treasure Valley and maintain a hands-on shopping and teaching facility. “Come see all the colors! Join us for our trunk shows, potlucks and late Friday nights; open until 9:00 p.m.”
You can also find Three Loves on Instagram and Facebook.
Three Loves, 411 Caldwell Blvd. Nampa, Idaho 83651 (208) 943-1937
Other Artisans
Jenny Selby
Jenny is an ER nurse by day, soap maker by days off (because you know nurses are not getting nights off!) Jenny lives in Caldwell with her husband, children, horses, chickens, dogs, cats and one burro. When Jenny isn’t at work, or caring for her crew, she’s making soap, lotions, lip balms, body scrubs and solid dish soaps in her studio. She started making luxury self-care products during the pandemic as a way to cope with the stress that came with it, especially for the medical profession.
All Saponum products are handcrafted by Jenny, using fresh, locally sourced, (whenever possible) all natural, skin-loving oils, butters and botanicals. She uses only natural fragrances and essential oils. Her philosophy on skin care is to keep everything as natural and organic as possible, but also functional so they work effectively, while nurturing your sense of smell and touch.
You can find Jenny on Facebook and Instagram.
Laura Mate
Laura hails from Union Kentucky and recently retired after working 35 years as a pipeline engineer for Duke Energy in the Cincinnati area. Laura and her husband Anthony have one son who is currently a student at Purdue University.
Fiber.Love.Retreat. will be the Mate’s first visit to Idaho, and they’re both excited to have the full retreat experience.
Laura started out making project bags to swap for yarn in a swapping/social group on Ravelry. That was 14 years ago, and that first drawstring bag has evolved into many different styles and fabric choices to keep things interesting “I love matching fabric to the bag style that will accentuate it best. Whether it be special fabrics, or embroidered embellishments each bag is unique; I’ve never made the same bag twice.”
You can find Laura Mate bags in her Etsy Store
Ginger Englert
Ginger is a lifelong crafter who has dabbled in knitting, spinning, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking and even needle tatting and ribbon embroidery. Her crafting journey began at age 5, when she received her first sewing machine to sew clothes for her Barbie. Her knitting journey began at the age of seven when she first learned to knit and although it didn’t stick at the time, she relearned the craft when her (now adult) children were small. Spinning and rigid heddle weaving soon followed. At one point, Ginger even owned two sheep.
Ginger Snapped specializes in whimsical decoupage tins for organizing your fiber arts accessories. Ginger has a passion for combining functionality with fun, adding a playful charm to your crafting space. Each tin lovingly designed to bring a touch of handmade magic to your organization game.In addition to her website, you can also find Ginger on Instagram and Facebook.
Stacy Tucker
I have been crafting since childhood, making loom rugs, potholders, and beaded bracelets, which eventually led to other fiber arts. I learned to crochet when I was 20, initially making gifts for family and friends. When I began knitting in 2007 it opened up a whole new crafting world for me. I launched my Knitter Mama Etsy shop in 2010. I also started to participate in craft shows, farmers’ markets and festivals. Around 2020 I began making tools and accessories, adding that little touch of snarkiness that makes my customers smile.
When I’m not in my office/craft room sewing yarn cozies, I spend time with my son, his fiancée, my three grandchildren and two crazy dogs.
Knitter Mama, a black-woman owned business, caters to fiber crafters who share Stacy’s sense of humor and who enjoy accessories and notions that are snarky, sassy, and very sweary.
You can also find Stacy on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, X, and TikTok
Candice Bledsoe
Candice started her journey in 2008 as a graphic designer and photographer for a large yarn and needle wholesaler. Knitting and crochet were hazards of the job and she soon became hooked on the hobby. She was surrounded by fiber and loved it. In 2018 she became a stay-at-home mom and started her other passion, woodwork.
Candice loves to combine her love of knitting and needlework with graphic design and woodworking. Most of her designs play with symmetry and clean lines while also sticking close to fiber arts and nature. She started creating Book Boxes because of her love of reading as well as puzzles. They make a perfect and fun way to store accessories and sharp objects such as scissors and needles.
You can find Candice on Etsy and she can also be found on Instagram.
Sponsors
Kelly Souder
The Yarn Shop is a small family-run business that values supporting Idaho and USA-made products whenever possible. Here you can find yarn, needles, hooks, notions, classes and social stitch nights. They also carry items like stickers, pottery, bags, and even Idaho made marshmallows. Kelly believes that using high-quality fibers and tools is important when you’re spending hours creating. She works diligently to source premium products for her customers. The goal of The Yarn Shop is to provide a safe and friendly environment for everyone to have the opportunity to shop, create, learn, and socialize. Yarn it up!
Kelly lives in Twin Falls, Idaho with her husband Lon, and 5 children. They’re a proud military family. She is a US Navy veteran, and Lon is currently serving in the US Army. She’s a creator of all types: from creating the most adorable children, to baking, and all the arts of knit/crochet, sewing, making stitch markers, earrings, and pattern writing. She loves to dabble in the creative, and bringing joy to those around her is her top motivation. She survives purely on coffee, sarcasm, humor, love of her family, and ALL things yarn.
You can also find The Yarn Shop on Facebook and Instagram.
Kerrie Nicholson
Kerrie, the owner of I Yarn For You, had been looking for a business opportunity she could build and rely on to retire from her career job as an environmental consultant. When the Twisted Ewe closed, Kerrie knew that she could fill a gap in the community. Hence the beginning of I Yarn For Ewe. The shop proudly offers yarns and fibers, in a wide variety, for those who are budget conscious, as well as luxury yarns. They also offer tools, classes, one of a kind project bags, as well as carrying a selection of handmade gift items, crafted by local artisans.
“I love yarn, knitting, and crocheting, and I love to hang out with those who also love yarn, knitting, and crocheting. I’m here to provide the goods, a place to gather, and a place of inspiration. I look forward to learning from all of you.”
Let’s knit and crochet with beautiful yarn forever!
You can find Kerrie at her website, on Facebook, and on Instagram.
Lynda Vrgora
In 1993, from humble beginnings, Keep Me In Stitches was founded. With hand spun and individually dyed unique and one-of-a-kind items, Keep Me In Stitches has been the heart of the crafting community for nearly 30 years. The shop carries exquisite yarn blends from silk and cashmere to alpaca and merino. Nestled in the mountains of Idaho, Keep Me In Stitches is the top spot to go to for yarn, good laughs, and great company.
Lynda can be found on Instagram too.
Keep Me In Stitches, 136 E Lake Street, McCall, Idaho 83638 (208)634-2906
Julia Withers
The Lucky Four Farm is a small fiber farm nestled among vineyards, orchards, and farms, in Marsing, Idaho and has been a labor of love for the Withers family since 2009. The farm has been a dream come true for Julia, who took her love of knitting all the way to the finish line of raising her own sheep! The Lucky Four have merino cross sheep and dairy goats. They produce beautifully hand-dyed, mill-spun yarn, hand-spun yarn, spinning fibers, goat milk soap, felt dryer balls, and felting kits.
Please visit us at Lucky Four Farm, Instagram, and Facebook.
Leah Hintz
Leah is a sixth generation Treasure Valley native and a proud mother of 6 & grandmother of 3. She runs her quaint farm in Kuna Idaho where she sells raw goat milk as well as duck and chicken eggs.
Recently, after thumb surgery, she managed to knit one handed! She is a lifelong crafter and an avid knitter. She has an eye for seeing something deemed no longer useful and transforming it into something functional and new. Her latest creation has been finding old aluminum knitting needles and crochet hooks, and making fun and whimsical jewelry.