Winter 2022 Offering

allstitch studio’s goal is elegant tools for the modern knitter. Ok we’re listening... And so we sampled their flower stitch markers and were hooked! They are pretty, practical, and a tactile pleasure to slip from one needle to the other as you knit. Who would have thought even this part of your knitting experience could be enhanced?

Jade at Cats’ View Farm in Germantown produces little bars of happiness. That is, soap using only fresh, whole, hormone and antibiotic-free goats’ milk and nourishing oils. No chemicals, preservatives, powdered milk, fillers or detergents! It’s a perfect pick-me-up self-care treat that we have in a range of uplifting scents.

Black indie dyer Robin Guy of Birch Hollow Fibers is based in the Hudson Valley and is inspired by, among other things, nature, her family and books she is reading. We were delighted to host her on a Saturday in early December and we continue to have her dreamy yarn in three weights: bulky, DK and sock. Robin brought Siren’s Song, an exclusive colorway she designed for YFK inspired by our location on the Kingston waterfront and our shop colors – purple and green.

We are slowly bringing in small batches of fabric for projects and hand or machine sewing. First, this fall we introduced two of our picks: a 100% linen in a range of colors – baby pink, baby blue, lime green, coral red, mustard yellow, navy blue, wine and natural; and a handful of vibrant cotton African wax prints. These we thought just perfect to pair with our Miyako bag straps (see below). This winter we present a limited selection of cotton fabrics from afar: cotton prints from Sri Lanka and hand block prints from Gujarat, India. Both are also good for Miyako no-sew and traditional sewn bags, or for clothing, accessories or home goods that you dream of yourself.

Adding to our fiber from Buckwheat Bridge Farm and Crafter Gamer Geek presented this Autumn (undyed and dyed, respectively), we are slowly introducing more and more fiber for our Yarn Farm Spinners. We now have Bluefaced Leicester combed top (excellent for beginners and what we use in our beginner intensive class), alpaca, Romney (fleece), and other fiber dyed and undyed in braids, roving, and for sale by weight.

For our Yarn Farm Weavers and those curious about weaving, we’ve launched our weaving tools offering with two three sizes (we’ve recently brought in an XL size with stand!) of Funem Studio’s weaving looms that allow you to make tapestry weavings and also yardage! These are in addition to the continuous weaving looms we have that are locally made by woodworker Fred Ricci - a different weaving technique but similarly compact and portable.

Furoshiki bags were a big hit in our Autumn offerings and so many of our Miyako straps flew out the door. We’re supplementing the straps with printed furoshiki fabric squares that work with our leather bag straps (restocked!) or on their own to wrap gifts. Here’s one link on this Japanese folding technique.

Galler Yarns This Lower Hudson Valley-based company has been creating luxury yarns for over 70 years. We are so happy to partner with Star Galler, granddaughter of Joseph Galler who founded the company in the 1950’s. Our first collaboration is a pre-launch of Galler’s latest yarn line, Wool You Be My Baby, in Valentine, a deep and rich ruby color. This is an exciting new release as well as a fundraiser! 25% of your purchase price of Valentine will be donated to a non-profit working to fight heart disease and promote heart health. We’re using this yarn for a PetiteKnit Sophie Shawl.

One of our wine bar/gift picks is the British Gluggle. It’s a worldwide ceramic icon, and continues to be handcrafted – hand cast, hand dipped, and hand finished – in the UK. At YFK we use ours for water… come by to hear it gurgle, and maybe take one home for your very own! We have fish and roosters in fabulous fun colors. Jocelyn’s Peace Corps friend Almaz (Ethiopian-American living in Belgium) raved about hers and everyone in our Peace Corps girlfriends’ group got one to stay hydrated and happy!

We’ve kicked off our handsewing offerings with kits from Jessica Long Embroidery and love so much of her story. She tries to make designs that make people smile (check), she was initially terrified about hand embroidery when first starting (yes! Starting something new can be like that!), and she appreciates that this craft teaches us to be easy and in the moment. Pick up a kit… it’s self-contained, all-you-need, portable creativity.

Knit.Coffee Company offers a whole bean Italian medium roast coffee roasted right here in the Hudson Valley. The coffee is organically grown and kosher with a low acid profile and smooth taste. You could drink Knit.Coffee coffee all day long! The company founder is a phenomenal small business promoter and collaborator and one of YFK’s early cheerleaders, and for this we appreciate her very much!

Manos del Uruguay not only has beautiful kettle-dyed yarn, but a beautiful business approach! Manos is a non-profit cooperative in Uruguay that aims to provide work to women artisans in rural areas and preserve local crafts and traditions. Certain of their yarns are also handspun, including one of our in-shop picks, Wool Clasica a 100% Corriedale aran weight single, slightly thick and thin. Lest you think good deeds and good business don’t go with high fashion, check out this article on a recent event by designer Gabriela Hearst and Manos at Bergdorf Goodman.

Miyako Designs has taken a Japanese furoshiki design a la francaise. This small French company produces leather bag straps for both no-sew and traditional sewn bags. The no-sew furoshiki bag straps have been so popular at YFK already, for both project bags and everyday bags. Come by to see how it’s done or watch right here! We met Laetita, company owner, earlier this year. Her enthusiasm for her products is exuberant and infectious, and well-deserved! When we asked her how many colors we should offer she said, “Toutes les couleurs!” (All of them!) We couldn’t agree more Laetitia.

For our felting goods we’ve started with kits for our Yarn Farm Friends. Our shop associate Nathalie proposed Petit Felts! Jocelyn Gayle Krodman, the established maker behind this company, is based right here in Kingston. Each kit has everything you need to handsculpt wool into a petite felted cutie. Great for beginners as well as experienced wool sculptors.

We’ve brought in Clover’s punch needle hoops and punch needles to our notions and tools offerings. This Autumn, in the space of three days in one week, two different customers came in asking about punch needle tools. Here’s our answer! Clover is an established company (Japan/US) offering high quality, well-priced crafts tools and notions that have been part of our own crafting journey for many many years. You’ll see more of their solid products at YFK in the future for sure.

This one straddles our yarn shop and wine bar. During the holiday makers’ season we sampled local maple syrup from Tree Juice Maple Syrup, in the best way. On Christmas morning Todd made a full breakfast and we had pancakes with their variations of maple syrup. Crazy yum. We are offering small bottles of a small handful of flavors: maple syrup (straight up), vanilla infused maple syrup, blueberry maple syrup and (OUR FAVORITE) bourbon barrel maple syrup. Come by and try them all.