Meet the Yarnivores!
Cathy
Skills: crochet, knitting, and some cross stitch
When did you learn? I crocheted as a child, learned cross stitch as a young adult, and began knitting about four years ago.
What inspires you to stitch? I love the crafts and creating something special.
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? I really enjoy knitting at this time.
Caryn
Skills: Knit, crochet, weaving, a little cross stitch and needlepoint; I'm also an occasional photographer and painter.
What’s your crafting superpower? I can knit almost anything and crochet most things (like my Wacky Weave Rainbow in the Round blankets) while reading.
When did you learn? My Grandmas taught me to crochet and knit when I was a kid. I made my first crochet project when I was six; it was a pink and royal blue belt for my favorite Uncle…and it was about a foot long, lol. I knit my first sweater at nine. I made it from lime green Red Heart yarn. Sadly(!), there are no photos of either project.
What inspires you to stitch? I love making things. Part of that love is playing with color and learning new skills. Sometimes, I’m inspired by a pattern that hits me like love at first site. Y’all know that feeling, right? It’s like the aliens in Toy Story, “ooooh, the Claw!”
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? Right now, I’m making a lot of tops. I’m able to make about one a month while also working on other projects.
Anything else? If you don’t see me in the shop, I am probably working in my home office, ordering more yarn and cool tools. Plus, someone has to pay the bills and I can’t concentrate on anything but yarn in the shop.Darian (Dee)
Skills: Crochet, knitting, and cross stitch
When did you learn? I learned to crochet and knit from my mom, many, many moons ago….
What inspires you to stitch? New patterns, new colors, new fiber…
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? I like asymmetrical shawls and felting bags
Anything else? I also love to sew, mainly tote bags; I’m still using my mom’s sewing machine.
Denise
Skills: knitting
What’s your crafting superpower? Mosaic knitting, top down sweaters
When did you learn? My grandmother taught me to knit when I was 9 years old.
What inspires you to stitch? I love the transitions of colors and the lovely textures of beautiful hand-dyed yarns.
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? I love trying new things, learning to crochet, picking up cross stitch again, needlepoint for gifts, quilting bags and totes.
Anything else? I love the social aspect of being part of an active crafting community.
Han
Skills: mainly knitting and crochet, but I’ve dabbled in needlepoint, cross stitch, weaving, and spinning
What’s your crafting superpower? Recognizing mistakes in knitting and repairing lace.
When did you learn? My mum taught me to knit and crochet when I was a little kid but didn’t pick it up in any way until I was 18. I’ve been collecting craft knowledge ever since.
What inspires you to stitch? Usually it’s an evocative design or how the colors play with each other, but sometimes it’s simply because I want to see if I can create something from my imagination.
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? I love recreating clothes or items from fictional worlds, whether tv, movies, or books. It’s always fun seeing them come to fruition.
Jackie
Skills? Cross stitch, crochet, embroidery
What’s your crafting superpower? Cross stitch
When did you learn? I learned cross stitch in the late 90s and embroidery and crochet as a child.
What inspires you to stitch? The creating process, including choosing colors and handling fibers.
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? I love them all!
Marrow
Skills: Knitting; I'm learning to crochet these days
Moses
Skills: crochet, knitting, spinning, weaving, needlepoint
What’s your crafting superpower? Being a sassypants.
When did you learn? I’ve been crocheting since late 2000, knitting since 2009, spinning since 2013, weaving since 2014, and needlepoint since 2019.
What inspires you to stitch? All of the wonderful patterns and work of other crafters and designers.
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? Crocheted blankets and amigurumi. Knit shawls, fingerless gloves, and socks.Nancy
Skills: Crochet, knitting, needlepoint, and cross stitch
When did you learn? I learned to needlepoint in 3rd grade, started cross stitching in the 80s, and learned to knit & crochet in 2010.
What inspires you to stitch? I like working with all kinds of fibers, color, and embellishments. It's fun to watch projects come together! Most of all, I love working with others to help them select projects, fibers, and then enjoy the stitching journey with them.
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? I can't pick just one, I enjoy all of them!
Suzy
Skills: Knitting! I also know how to crochet, and have done some cross stitch and embroidery.
What’s your crafting superpower? I make lots of mistakes and endeavor to learn from them! Sometimes, it begins by reading the pattern correctly!
When did you learn? My Granny taught me to knit when I was about 10. She taught me the other needlework, too. I started out with embroidery as most young girls did.
What inspires you to stitch? I find it relaxing, and I enjoy making items for myself and others.
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? Knitting shawls, but I enjoy making baby/young children items as they are finished quickly. I like to knit socks, too, even though I don’t wear them regularly.
Anything else? I enjoy teaching others to knit. After 26 years of teaching high school German, I suppose I’m a teacher at heart!
What do you like to do in your non-yarn life? I enjoy puttering in my garden and spending time with my family. I have two daughters. I am an avid reader (I read 145 books last year!) I enjoy ballroom and Latin dancing. I have taken Argentine tango lessons for 10 years! I regularly go to the gym and walk, lift weights, and swim several times a week.
Wendy
Skills: Knitting, crochet, spinning, dyeing, sewing, embroidery, cross stitch... If it's done with yarn or thread, I've probably tried it.
What’s your crafting superpower? I can knit with yarn in either hand, working forwards or backwards, with any stitch pattern.
When did you learn? I've been making things with yarn for as long as I can remember.
What inspires you to stitch? Everything! Colors, shapes, textures - they all make me want to get yarn and needles and experiment!
What’s your favorite craft or type of project? I love knitting sweaters!
Anything else? Facts about me:
-I've worked at Yarnivore since we first opened in 2006.
-I have approximately a billion cats.
-I'm immunocompromised, so I feel loved when people wear a mask.
-I almost never use patterns.
-I can't pick a favorite color because I love them all.