One of my favorite yarns from last season was Rowan’s Alpaca Cotton.  Its such a beautiful yarn and unlike anything else on the market. The construction is really interesting.  The core is a like a tiny fishnet stocking made of cotton and the alpaca is blown into it, making this really soft fuzzy yarn.  Oh and did I mention it’s machine washable?!!

Last season it came in a beautiful array of naturals and this season it’s back with COLORS!

Rowan featured a beautiful book called Winter Solace, which has been admired by so many who walk in the shop as we have a gorgeous shop model of the poncho below.

We love Winter Solace and Rowan has come out with another new and amazing book this year, featuring all of their alpaca yarns called Homestead Classics. I have my eye on this one:

This book features not only Rowan Alpaca Cotton but also Lima, another favorite yarn.

Add Comment (1)

Continuing with our trend of interviewing designers that we love and inspire us, we set out to talk to Olga Buraya-Kefelian, the designer behind the fabulous book Ori Ami Knits. Check out our interview and a peak inside the book below!

Many of us in the shop have loved Habu Textile for so long, followed your designs on Ravelry, and are super excited about the publication of your new book Ori Ami Knits, which features some Habu yarns.  For those that are not familiar, can you give a little background on yourself?

Gladly, Courtney. My name is Olga Buraya-Kefelian and I am a knitwear designer born and raised in Belarus, who have been living, knitting, publishing and self-publishing my designs for almost 5 years now. As of this spring, I am also a co-author of a self-published title along with a talented photographer and graphic designer Vanessa Yap-Einbund and a contributor designer Kirsten Johnstone  - named Ori Ami Knits: Fiber geometry. A collection of innovative versatile designs of womens wear using alternative fibers of Habu Textiles.

What draws you to the Habu Textiles as a line to design with?

Habu textiles have been in American market for a decade now, in recent years with knitting making such huge comeback and many of us adopting it as a lifestyle. With a great  choice of conventional fibers at hand I became drawn to unconventional. For several years I have studied the fibers and their behavior and  it made me wonder how much more is out there available to a knitter and what amazing garments those fibers can produce. I got a feeling yarns from Habu Textiles gave me of wider range for creativity, one may feel that these fibers are expandable, array of exotic and unique in combination with natural gives you a choice for creating your own yarn that would suit the project perfectly. So depending on what you envision for the fabric in the final garment to do, can be easily achieved with Habu textiles yarns.

Can you tell readers a bit about the book and how it came to be? You also have a unique publishing model via digital subscriptions.  Can you talk a little about that?

For a while now, I have been approached by various publishing houses regarding working together. I have gave it a reasonable amount of thought and have had colleagues who shared their experience and feeling about it. Idea for self-publishing was lingering, but having noticed fellow knitwear designer friends taking a chance like Ysolda Teague, me and Vanessa have decided to do some extensive research. We chose things that were important for a customer and for production and at the same time satisfy our goals. I truly believe that publishing houses and editors are doing a lot of work trying to make your book the best, but we just went ahead ourselves and in the end I have gained even more respect for those in the trade.

I think sometimes knitters and crochets are intimidated about handling unusual fibers.  Can you talk about some ways in which to use or approach some of the more non-traditional knitting and crochet fibers?

Habu textiles provides you with a palette when you get their catalog of yarn snippets, you can imagine yourself an artist, you play with various pairing and swatch, there is a lot fiber exploration taking place, if you know what you want the knit fabric to do and it is achievable. And yet it is so accessible to anyone, yes it is a little more independence and work vs just buying yarn and pattern and making it up. But with Habu Textiles even though you maybe using same pattern, your yarn combination can be personalized and unique, that gives any knitter a designer feel to their finished garment.

Thinking outside the box is not always easy, I always suggest making a swatch, wash, pleat, play with possibilities. It is not necessarily that conventional garments would look great in experimental fibers, some work and some don’t. But please be more adventurous, in the end  you will be pleasantly surprised!

Where does your design inspiration come from?

I think this is always such a hard question to answer. To generalize it - life, things around me, architecture, natural setting. I am that person who is very observant and pays attention to details a great lot, I guess it comes from there. But also seeing people on the street, area your are in - other people’s creativity triggers your own, but the goal is to take it places further and create something that you love.

I LOVE Japanese craft books and design.  Can you recommend some of your favorite Japanese craft books or Japanese designers you admire?

I personally love Japanese stitch dictionaries that I collect, they refer to older forgotten resources and that is a great tool for a knitwear designer. I also admire Japanese sewing books, but I haven’t encountered that many I love. Pattern magic are my favorite series that provide me with a lot of inspiration. Designers who introduced world of Japanese fashion to the Westerners - Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto are still by far are my favorites. I had recently had a chance to visit their stores in Tokyo and they are utterly amazing, just breathtaking! Standing and staring just the way the dummies are dressed, the whole concept is different. And I like different. I am not brave enough to dress up entirely in avant garde attire, but I love to adapt the details of it into practical clothing. Balance is something that is very important.

What’s next?  Where do you see your designing going?

Being a designer is a non-stop creativity process, currently I am expanding my own line of patterns, so lots of knitting and writing, but I am also working on several designs with other yarn companies. Just several weeks ago I have released a design, which I am very excited about, it’s called Infinite loop and using Habu textiles yarn, it can be worn over 15 different ways and you can see it in a video that I made showing how to wear it.

Quick Facts:

On your iPod right now:

Florence and the machine - Dog days are over

If you were a yarn what yarn would you be?

I think I would be silk, smooth, drapey but sturdy.

Favorite place to knit:

My Ikea “Poang” chair with a lot of natural light.

Current project on the needles:

I have about 5, but on my lap right now I have a new design using pure linen.

Who taught you to knit?

My mother when I was 4.

You can purchase Ori Ami Knits here.

Please note: All photos copyright Ori Ami Knits and used with their permission.

Add Comment (0)

If there is one thing we love to do at Seed Stitch is inspire new folks to pick up needles or a hook and knit and crochet.  It’s so great to see students work through questions and technique and create a craft of their own.  We’ve had the privileged of teaching so many students at Seed Stitch and we thought that those you thinking about taking a class or pondering whether you can knit or crochet yourself might want to hear from some students just like you.

Nikki and Susan learn to knit at Seed Stitch from Seed Stitch Fine Yarn on Vimeo.

We have so many amazing teachers and Nikki and Susan learned to knit in Andrea’s beginning knit class.

Add Comment (0)

There are so many fabulous designers in the knit world and many of them spend some portion of their career at Rowan, an obvious giant in the hand knitting and crochet yarns. We had the opportunity to talk to one of the newest additions to the team, Grace Melville, about what it means to her to be a part of the Rowan team, her style, and her inspiration.

Grace, you just recently joined Rowan in September of 2009. Can you talk a little bit about how you came to join the team?

I graduated from Kingston University with a BA in fashion design in June, where I specialised in knitwear. I then was very fortunate in finding the Rowan Junior Design role online and applied straight away. I am a huge Rowan fan as my mother introduced me to the magazines from an early age. I have been very lucky to find myself in such a great position for my first job!

What does it mean to you as a designer to work with Rowan, which has promoted so many big named in the knit world?

It means a huge deal to me as a designer to work for Rowan especially for my first proper job in the fashion industry. I am learning an enormous amount in so many areas of the brand. I really feel my designing has developed greatly in the time I have been here. The design room at Rowan work very much as a team, so you get to see and be part of every stage of the design process from initial concept ideas to the proof reading.

Can you talk a little bit your first collection with Rowan Studio? How would you describe the collection? Your style?
Studio is a reflection of what is happening in fashion at the moment. So my first studio captured what was happening at that time. The trend then was slouchy, loose shapes and subtle pattern and fazed stripes. Obviously as a designer your own style is reflected in your designs. I think you can see my style in the silhouette of the pieces in studio 18.

What excites you these days from a design stand point? What do you think it going to be coming up next on the knit wear scene?
Everything around me has an influence on my designing. I love starting a new Studio and researching into current trends. There is a lot of lightweight layers and lace in the next Studio ready for spring.

Any sneak peak for your next collection or where your design style might take us knitters?
The next Studio is very feminine in fine yarns, I’m really happy and excited about this next Studio!

Quick Facts:
On your iPod right now: Poalo Nutini’s new album Sunny Side Up.
If you were a yarn what yarn would you be? That’s a toughy, hmmm I love the felted tweed family because of the lovely colours and how nice it is to knit with.
Favorite place to knit: With my mum on the sofa whilst having a movie marathon.
Current project on the needles: Swatches for up and coming projects.
Who taught you to knit? My lovely mum taught me to knit at the age of 6, she is still the best knitter I know!

Stay tuned for more designer interviews from A Yarn Tale that will bring you inspiration and ideas!

Add Comment (0)

You may remember hearing about a fabulous workshop we had before the holidays with Sharon Brant of Rowan.  I learned so much from this session and I know all who attended did as well.  For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we wanted to share a bit of our wonderful experience with Sharon here with you.

Our customers are very familiar with Rowan and was are tremendous fans at the shop, but can you give us your perspective on what makes Rowan such a special force within our industry and maybe tell us something we might not know about Rowan?

Everybody that works on the design and marketing are just as passionate as the consumers. We often wonder why, I think it was born as a very personal company and we have been lucky enough that Coats have allowed us to keep the ethos of the company even though we are part of a huge global company. I also think it is the detail of styling and briefs that make the seasonal stories so special.

Rowan has always been know for being on the cutting edge of the industry and birthing new fabulous designers. Can you tell us about some of the new and exciting developments at Rowan and any of the new designers that are on your watch list?

We work very closely with the universities and their tutors to make sure we find the new fresh talent. We also have key consultants in the industry that make sure the young designers make themselves known to us.

Your new book “The Ultimate Knitting Bible” has become one of my new favorite go too books.  Can you give readers a bit of insight as to what makes this book different and what you were hoping to achieve with this publication?

This was a reaction to all the workshops I do around the world. I have been asked so many times, “Do I have all of my tips written down somewhere?” Can you come home with me?” This is for those people. I have tried to keep it clear and simple to follow. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did for putting it together.

The workshop you just ran at the shop “How to suit a garment to you” was so fantastic and I learned a lot about how I should approach a project for myself.  What would be the one or two purls of wisdom you might give readers when they approach creating a garment for themselves?

Take time to get the tension right and make samples so you know you are going to like the finished piece. Be brave and try something new prepared that you may have to do it again with all the things you learn form not getting quite right the first time.

Also, it was so exciting to hear about some of the work you’ve done outside of Rowan for film knitwear costume design.  Can you give A Yarn Tale readers a bit of insight as to what your experience has been like in creating knitwear for some films?

Working with the films is so much fun but also quite demanding due to the timings. Working on Phantom of the Opera was my absolute favourite as it linked History and knitting. the detail they go down to is amazing and when you watch the film you wonder why? but it is all those fine details that make wonderful historical stories.

Working on the designs are fun and exciting but the challenge comes once you have produced some obscure piece and they say they love it and then need 6 identical pieces! Have a look at Luna’s jacket in Harry Potter and think of my poor mother who had to copy every single fringe in the same colour pattern as the original I made. (She loves me!!!)

Purchase Sharon’s latest book, The Ultimate Knitting Bible, here.

Add Comment (0)

I’m always interested in new up and coming designers, simple style, interesting stories, and those folks to watch for their future impact on fiber arts.  Some of you may already know Stephen West, but if you don’t he’s one to watch.  He’s a young designer who has a great blog, showcasing his designs and is quickly rising in popularity on Ravelry.  We caught up with Stephen to talk a little about his background, his work, and what’s next for him.  Check it out and check out his work!

Can you tell us a little bit about how you got started knitting and designing?

I started knitting in high school after a couple friends taught me, but my knitting looked as awkward as I felt doing it. Despite this rough first attempt, I was still interested, so I got a knitting book and learned all the basics. My first projects were acrylic scarves and hats until I went to college and found my LYS, Klose Knit in Urbana, IL. I discovered wool, alpaca, and other wonderful fibers and then there was no looking back. I brought projects with me everywhere and worked almost strictly from patterns for about a year. During that time I would often modify patterns to fit my taste and my 6′2 height. After modifying more and more patterns, it wasn’t too long before I started designing my own. By designing my own patterns, I can get exactly what I want or I end up with something completely different and weird, which may spark another design idea.

Shawls, shawls, and more shawls. They seem to be on everyone’s mind and you have some amazing shawl patterns in your line up. What is it about shawls that inspires your creative juices?

I love making them as much as I love wearing them. I particularly love smaller shawls that can be worn as scarves around the neck because they are easy to wear and they also look fun and stylish. Shawls as scarves or neck pieces are also quicker to make, often taking just one skein of sock yarn. Fingering weight yarn is one of my favorites because it drapes beautifully and the colors can be breath-taking. I don’t knit socks much, so shawls are another wonderful use for sock yarn. Shawls also have multiple functions. They can be wrapped around your neck, positioned several different ways, or draped over your shoulders. There are many different ways of constructing shawls. Most of mine start at the neck edge with just a few stitches and then gradually increase outwards. I love this method of construction because you quickly see progress and by the time rows become painfully long, you’re almost done. I am humbled by responses I receive from knitters who love my shawl designs. So, it is easy for me to develop shawl patterns when there is so much interest in them.

Where does your inspiration come from? Are their any designers out there today that are really inspiring you or you feel are on the cutting edge?

Sometimes my inspiration comes from images I come across or structures and objects in my environment, but mostly I am inspired by yarn, color, and the act of knitting. So, my designs often utilize simple stockinette and garter stitch, showcasing beautiful yarns. Simple, clear lines mixed with some interesting detail or shape appeal to me. I am always inspired by what other designers like Jared Flood, Ysolda Teague, Gudrun Johnston, and Kirsten Kapur come up with. I can tell that they are all passionate about knitting and I think their work has the ability to evoke a strong mood or emotion. All of them also take gorgeous photos, which is something I’d like to learn more about.

What’s up next for you?
A lot, actually. I am going to start working on a website soon and hopefully get my blog updated and going again. I’ve taught a few classes in my local area, but I am interested in expanding my class repertoire and traveling to different shops this year. I have been designing a lot of new patterns recently, which I am very excited about. Some of these new patterns will be part of a Westknits pattern collection that I’m planning to release later this year. I just started working with Deep South Fibers, who now distributes my patterns wholesale to yarn stores, which frees up more time for me to play with new design ideas. I’m also working on some knit art installations with Chicago-based fashion designer, Katrin Schnabl, These installations will be presented in Chicago and New York this spring.

Quick Facts:

On your iPod right now: Spring Awakening soundtrack. I can’t stop listening to it.

If you were a yarn what yarn would you be? Right now, I would be Malabrigo Twist because I can’t stop knitting with it.

Favorite place to knit: Outside in the shade

Current project on the needles: Farmer’s Market Cardigan by Connie Chang Chinchio, Chevalier Mittens by Mari Muinonen, Expedition by Todd Gocken, a new sweater design and scarf design.

Add Comment (0)

As many of you may know, we were lucky to host Leslie Scanlon of Mac & Me designs at the shop at the end of September.  One of the things we wanted to focus on when we bought the store was a celebration of local talents and fibers.  Leslie is from Newbury, MA and an amazing talent.  She joined us to talk a bit about her process and how she goes from inspiration to pattern.  It was a fantastic event and all who attended were so thrilled and inspired by her work and her words.  We know that many folks were not able to attend or only visit us online, so Leslie also agreed to do an interview for the blog as well.

Can you talk a bit about how Mac & Me got started?
I started out as just an ordinary obsessed knitter, as a young mom I would knit for Mac then started changing other people’s patterns. It didn’t take long for me to start getting my own ideas, the kids hats were my first creations. I also started to knit for yarn companies and other designers for the experience and to see how other people wrote patterns. As Mac grew so did my designs; things that I would like to see on her, on myself, then also my son. I started writing them down, then went to a few local stores and asked them to see if they would sell. A few tourists came to New England and bought them (you know how knitters are) they took them back to their local yarn stores and I started getting orders from far away lands like Michigan, Ohio and Texas. We then needed a brochure. Then we had a brochure so I had to keep designing…..It has been one decision and one store at a time.

What brings you inspiration?
YARN YARN YARN! Everything about it, color, texture, drape. I love the engineering and architecture of knitting and having a design in mind and figuring out how to express it.

How have your designs evolved over the years?
I have been told they have gotten more sophisticated. The ideas are clearer; what yarns to use, the construction and color. It has gotten easier to know when to stop, rather than throwing tons of embellishments, details, colors and techniques at a single garment I try to reduce it to its purest form, simplify. I think those are the garments you wear to death.

What are some of your favorite yarns to work with?
Blue Sky of course, Rowan’s KidSilk Haze is a problem (almost in need of an intervention) and I have been having a lot of fun with the small label hand dyed sock yarns, but not for socks!

What’s up next?
We are working on 2010 now, more kid’s items, woman’s sweaters and accessories, a beautiful men’s sweater in sport weight alpaca!

Quick facts:

Favorite book:
Just finished “The Help” and loved it!
On your music play list right now:
Classical
Item from your yarn stash you’re dying to use:
Zauberball by Schoppel Wolle that I saw at Seed Stitch during my visit
If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
8 ply cashmere
Favorite place to knit:
In my office looking out at the tree tops.
Current project on the needles:
You’ll have to wait and see!

We carry many of Leslie’s fantastic patterns in the store and hope to have them up online soon.  If you haven’t knit one before, you should totally think about one for your next project.  There is really something in her pattern catalogue for everyone.  Thanks Leslie!

See more photos from the event at our Flickr Stream.

Add Comment (0)

Veronik Avery is a fantastic designer who has been inspired by classic fashion trends. She’s teamed up with Classic Elite to launch her first yarn line and it’s due into to Seed Stitch in a matter of days.  The new line is called Nordique by St. Denis and is 100% wool, knits at 24–28 sts/4 inches on a U.S. size 2.5 -6, making it a fingering to sport weight, with 150 yards per ball.  This yarn has a wonderful luster and hand-feel and I think it destined to become a classic.  Veronik was kind enough to give us a little insight into the product, her design inspiration, and what we might expect next.

How does it feel to launch your own yarn line?

Frightening and exciting at the same time – I have been working on this for over a year now and while I love having creative control over every aspect of the line, I’m also terrified about what kind of reception it will have.

I think we’re all becoming more and more conscious about where our products are manufactured. Can you talk about your decision to have your line produced in North America?

It just doesn’t make sense to me to have products manufactured abroad when we have the raw materials and the ability to do so right here. It’s also often difficult to know where exactly our products come from even when they are clearly labeled – for instance, it is perfectly legal to say that a product is produced in a particular country even if only the last step in manufacturing was completed there. It could have been spun in China from fleece imported from New Zealand, but the label will simply say ‘made in Italy as it was plied and balled there. Not to mention that a product with that much mileage should be more expensive – the fact that it isn’t adds another concern to the equation.

Can you give readers a little synopsis of the magazine to accompany your yarn?

The magazine’s goal is to inspire and educate as well as present patterns. I think many of us have heard references to being either a product knitter or a process knitter – well, I think many of us are a bit of both. So, while the yarn line is intended to be a real knitter’s material – durable, crisp yet soft enough to be worn next to the skin – the magazine aims to showcase what we love about this craft.

How have your designs evolved since you started designing?

That’s difficult to say because of the way that I work – I studied visual arts through my teenage years and for a while in university and that has had quite an impact on how I approach design. It isn’t so much an evolution, as each collection and each piece within that collection is treated as an unit rather than part of a whole. I don’t love one silhouette, technique or construction method above all others – it all boils down to what I’m doing at the moment.

What designers have inspired your work?

Pam Allen, Marc Jacobs, Stanley Kubrick , Claire McCardell, Janet Morton, Issey Miyake, Paul Smith, Sonya Rykiel, Meg Swansen, Vivienne Westwood, Frank Lloyd Wright, Elizabeth Zimmermann (to name a few).

What’s up next?

I’m working on the second issue right now and waiting for the spring yarn samples to arrive. I’m also working on fall of 2010 – since my yarn is spun to my specifications rather than picked from a selection, I have to determine what kind of fleece will be used and how it will be spun and that needs to happen far enough in advance so as to have samples in time to knit with.

QUICK FACTS:

On your iPod right now:
The The

Item from your yarn stash you’re dying to use:
CEY silky alpaca lace

If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
Nordique!

Favorite place to knit:
anywhere but in the sun.

Current project on the needles:
Many swatches for book 2!

The yarn and the magazine will be in the store within a matter of days and I can’t wait to get my hands on them. I’m looking for your feedback as well, but I’m guessing it will be positive.

Add Comment (0)

We have such an amazing staff at Seed Stitch.  One of the faces that you might not see on a daily basis, but who is an integral part of our team is Helene Driesen.  Anyone who has taken one of her classes or had her finish one of their garments know how amazing she is.  But for those of you who have not met her yet, we should we’d give you a bit of insight into Helene.

Who taught you to knit and when?

My mother taught me how to knit when I was about 5 and still living in the U.S.  When I was 6 we moved to the Netherlands, where I entered first grade and where knitting is part of the curriculum.  I initially did not take to it as our first project was a cotton diaper cover (??).  Imagine, hot sweaty fingers trying to knit cotton stitches across plastic needles.  I hated it and did not knit, other than at school.  I did enjoy other crafts such as needlepoint which I did more of till I was about 12, when I became intrigued with cables I watched my mother knit.  So I jumped right back in and made my youngest cousin a beautiful cabled cardigan.  I was hooked.

What draws you to knitting or what is it that you love about it?

There is no one thing that draws me to knitting … it has been such a part of my life for so long.  For a period (from my late teens and early twenties) I made pretty much all my own clothes.  Partly because I wanted them to be different and partly to fit me better than store bought clothes.  Now, it gives me balance in life.  It is my time … I get up at 5:30AM, have coffee and knit … it’s how I organize my day .. solve little life problems … charge the battery.  During the day, my knitting pretty much consists of knitting for the business.

I think everyone who has taken a class with you has been amazed by the breadth of your skill and work. But many may not know that you also do finishing and custom work for Seed Stitch Fine Yarn. Can you talk a little bit about how this process works?

This business has grown a lot in the past few years. There are several different aspects of the business that customers can take advantage of.  First — repair and restoration of knitted and crocheted garments and items.  I have done some pretty extensive restorations, for instance family heirloom afghans.  I also finish and assemble sweaters and projects for people, who either don’t want to bother with it or do not have the necessary experience.

This is a busy business for you, but you do more than just knitting and crochet. You sew as well right?

Yes, this is one aspect that I can’t wait to get back to … design and sewing of children’s clothing.  I still have some fabulous fabric I bought in Europe and some great designs to put one of a kind outfits together.  The sewing has been put on hold as I have been so busy with the knitting in recent years.

I understand that you participate in two shows leading up to Christmas. Can you tell us a little bit about these and what it takes to get ready for these?

I participate in two shows to support two local schools.  One were my son goes and one is the Waldorf school as I like their philosophy.  Right now I am gearing up with working on inventory which pretty much consists of mittens, thrummed and felted and also fingerless mittens which have been such a hit these last few years.  I probably will also make some bags.

What designers do you think are really hot right now?

At the moment I really like the designs Jared Flood is putting out there.  I am more of traditionalist and he adds a little flair to some traditional garments.  Also, I am a total sock fanatic and love what Cookie A is doing in that department.  Martin Storey has also long been a favorite of mine and when it comes to color who else but Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably … I love what they do with color and I love how they can get you excited with a few little skeins of yarn.

QUICKFACTS:

Favorite book:
I don’t really have a go to book … own too many to have a favorite.

On your iPod right now:
I do not own an Ipod, do not text, twitter, blog or have a Face book page.  Favorite CD at the moment is Raising Sand by Allison Krause and Robert Plant.  Love them together.

Item from your yarn stash you’re dying to use:
Have some beautiful Noro Transition I am waiting to use.

If you were a yarn, which yarn would you be?
Favorite yarn … no question … cashmere or a cashmere/silk blend in a rich dark chocolate color.

Favorite place to knit:
In the winter in front of the wood burning stove with a good cup of coffee and a really good piece of chocolate overlooking the lake (frozen, probably).  In the summer … on our front porch overlooking the lake with a good scotch (if it’s after 5PM).

Favorite spot on the North Shore:
No question .. our lake.

Current knitting project:
Several Cookie A socks, Hanne Falkenberg top, Lizard Ridge Afghan, cashmere lace shawl, top-down sweater with Noro, Rona (from Rowan #46), and several other stray projects.

Add Comments (2)

You may remember from one of my previous posts me raving about the products from Imperial Stock Ranch.  Well they are here!  I’m even more excited about them than I was at TNNA.  The kits from left to right: A kit that makes the fantastic bangle bracelets, an unbelievable hat that laces up the back with ribbon, and this super cool honeycomb scarf. They are so fabulous and each kit comes with it’s own little cow bell of sorts.  As you can imagine, Mazie loved hers!  I find the behind the scenes of where our products come from to be fascinating and especially with those from Imperial Stock Ranch.  Below is an interview with Jeanne Carver who is the owner of the ranch.  Fascinating and I really want to go visit now.

I was so excited to find your products at TNNA. I made a b-line for your booth to buy some and was even more excited to learn the story of the ranch.  Can you give readers a bit of history on Imperial Stock Ranch and why it’s so special?

It was 1871, and Richard Hinton dreamed of being a stockman.  He headed into the interior of  Oregon….high desert country, and filed a homestead claim on 160 acres.  With a vision and a lot of hard work, over the next 30 to 40 years, he persevered and built his Imperial Stock Ranch into the largest land and stock empire in Oregon, and one of the largest sheep ranches in America.   Today, the ranch headquarters is a National Historic District,with most of the early buildings still in use.  The Imperial Stock Ranch has nearly 140 years of continuous operation on the same landscape and utilizing many of the same facilities, producing sheep, cattle, grains and hay.  The ranch is family owned and operated.

One more interesting piece of history specific to the sheep……young Richard Hinton was visionary.  He conducted early experiments crossbreeding wool breeds with meat breeds of sheep, to produce an animal that would have great meat characteristics, and a superior fiber in the same animal. They are a true American breed, and considered the most useful sheep in the world.

Can you talk a little bit about the yarn and their manufacture?

Our primary yarns are woolen spun, to our custom request at a family owned and operated mill which utilizes an 1869 spinning mule. Mule spun yarns are the commercial equivalent to handspun. Because of the “draw and release,” they have a character that the more commercial frame spun yarns do not have.  The wool is processed without chemicals or extreme heat; it is not carbonized as most wool that is processed commercially.  We have been testing our micron for a number of years now, and selecting for that characteristic in replacing breeding stock.  We have a good quality 22 micron fiber that is well suited to outerwear. And….we have a wool that felts well for felted projects. We also have great pattern support and kits, as you know, to support our yarns.

How did you guys team up with Leigh Radford? The combination of your yarns with her designs is simply magic.

We are very committed to working within our region.  Since the beginning, we have only used Oregon designers…and in the beginning, only those from the central Oregon desert. The patterns/designs play a very important role in helping people new to our yarn, choose a project.  We had been interested in finding someone to work with us more consistently, and in researching the work of a number of designers, the pieces designed by Leigh were “speaking to me.”  Something about the colors, silhouettes and “spirit” in Leigh’s work drew me.  So we reached out….dreaming.  We were thrilled when she agreed to do some initial work for us.  Since then…..we’ve formed a stronger relationship and are excited about the ongoing work and collaboration.

One of the things I really liked about your line was the recent addition of fibers dyed from all natural dyes from the ranch.  Can you talk a little about what kinds of natural items are used for dyeing and how this process works?

Oregon is full of creative and spirited thinkers!  We love our coffee,microbrews, wines and local food!  It was another natural step to partner with a local dyeworks that is crazy about dyeing with all natural dyes.  2 of my favorites in our new offerings:  Cowboy Coffee……yes the residue from a great coffee house (our coffee at the ranch isn’t quite that good…but stout! for sure); and Oregon Merlot….you guessed it.

Can readers experience the ranch in person?

Yes, we do tours by appointment.  If you’re looking to make a vacation out of the visit, our daughter and son-in-law have a fantastic lodge and restaurant 20 minutes away on the Deschutes River…designated a national scenic river.  A fantastic fishery, the Deschutes is a destination for fly fishermen from all over the world. The lodge (Imperial River Company) has theme decorated rooms (Cattle Baron, Homestead Room, Railroad Room….) and the restaurant features beef and lamb from the Imperial Stock Ranch.  With a beautiful lobby with fireplace, outdoor firepit, outrageous patio, bar, conference room…no phones or TV in the rooms….it is truly a little paradise in the desert. That’s the best place to stay when coming to visit the ranch.  They also do guided whitewater rafting on the river.  The total package of the Imperial Stock Ranch and Imperial River Company is a fabulous experience for people with all interests.

What might we expect next from the Ranch?

Well….besides becoming part of the family, there will be more great new Leigh Radford designs coming in January.  At least one will be from the Tracie yarn…which is a terrific yarn, and not just suited for socks!  The yarn community may not know this, but the Imperial Stock Ranch has collaborated with regional textile artists in the design and production of fabrics and apparel for the past 8 years or so as well.  We have just completed 4 years selling through a national clothing retailer.  However, we have partnered in the past 8 months with a fabulous young fashion designer from Oregon (she was with us at TNNA in June!) who is not only talented but committed to leading a truly sustainable effort in the apparel industry.  We will launch the first/*Imperial Collection */as a headliner at Portland Fashion Week in October.  This line is being designed by Anna Cohen.  This will be great exposure for the yarn, as well as the apparel line. Anna serves as the Creative Director for the yarn line as well.

QUICK FACTS:
Favorite tunes at the ranch:
Anything by Ian Tyson!

Best ranch landscape color inspiration:
The new growth on the sage in spring……Spring Sage

Dog or horse’s name:
How do I choose????!!!! Katie…my shadow and number one helper.  Apache…my warhorse….no battle’s too tough.

Favorite book:
My husband’s:   Farmer’s Almanac

We hope to have these up online soon, but if you have to have one beforehand, just call the store to place an order.  They are beautiful!

Add Comment (0)