Oh, goodness! Do we have a treat-ski's for all of you readers out there! As you may have read in our Newsletter, we are now carrying Fibre Co. yarn and patterns!!! We've had it for about a week now and can't keep our hands off of it - that is...until we have to ship it to you! Don't worry...we've stashed a bunch for ourselves! :)
We were lucky enough to chat with a couple of sweet gals, Courtney and Kate, who happen to be responsible for all that happens over at the Fibre Co. They told us some really fun stuff. Like, did you know that The Fibre Company started in 2004 as an alpaca processing and spinning mill by Iain Stanley and Daphne Marinopoulos? The line of yarns they created were entirely unique in terms of their fiber blends and color and soon their yarns were known for their incredibly soft hand.
Kelbourne Woolens was established in 2008 by Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley. Since then, they have been in charge of all of the distribution - as well as product, pattern and color development, all the while maintaining the original vision of unique artisan yarns that Iain and Daphne created.
Currently, Fibre Co. has just two employees! As the owners of Kelbourne Woolens, the sole distributors of the Fibre Company yarns, Kate and Courtney handle pretty much everything that is required in regards to running the business. They have a wonderful hard working group of sales reps that help introduce their yarns to the shops in their area, but pretty much everything else – packing, shipping, invoicing, bookkeeping, ads, web and blog development, advertisements, trade shows and the base of pattern support are all taken care of by Kate and Courtney. Phew!
Kelbourne Woolens was established in 2008 by Kate Gagnon Osborn and Courtney Kelley. Since then, they have been in charge of all of the distribution - as well as product, pattern and color development, all the while maintaining the original vision of unique artisan yarns that Iain and Daphne created.
Currently, Fibre Co. has just two employees! As the owners of Kelbourne Woolens, the sole distributors of the Fibre Company yarns, Kate and Courtney handle pretty much everything that is required in regards to running the business. They have a wonderful hard working group of sales reps that help introduce their yarns to the shops in their area, but pretty much everything else – packing, shipping, invoicing, bookkeeping, ads, web and blog development, advertisements, trade shows and the base of pattern support are all taken care of by Kate and Courtney. Phew!And as always, we asked them about the fun stuff, too! Now for the fun part!
JBW: Where are you two from?
Kate: Amherst, Massachusetts. Courtney: Washington, D.C.
JBW: Where are you two from?
Kate: Amherst, Massachusetts. Courtney: Washington, D.C.
JBW: What's your favorite meal to cook?Courtney: Campfire cooking. I love any excuse to cook outside, especially if there is pork involved. My one crowning achievement is the time I made a cake while we were camping. It was actually really good!
JBW: Why did you want to own a yarn company?
There was something about the Fibre Company that really appealed to us. We really wanted to continue the company that Daphne and Iain started, and love everything that goes into running the company. Not just the knitting and yarn (which is awesome), but the product development, marketing, working with customers and business side of things. Every day is different, and never boring.
JBW: Coffee or tea?
Kate: Tea. All the way. I have a very impressive collection of loose leaf teas from a small shop in Philly, Premium Steap and love making odd blends from them. My current favorite is Milk Oolong paired with “Orange Cookie” flavored black tea.
JBW: What's your least favorite candy?
Kate: Dark Chocolate Courtney: Sour Patch Kids
JBW: First album you ever bought:
Courtney: Linda Ronstadt, Pacing Down the Wind Kate: Wilson Phillips, Wilson Phillips
JBW: Do you have any pets? (I mean, really, we are practically a farm here at JBW!)
Kate: Yes! A three legged cat, Margaret “Peggy” Peg-Leg, an 8 year old cat, Desmond, an 8 year old Corgi/Shepherd mix, Rollie and a 3 year old Chow mix, Opus. I’ve also fostered 12 dogs and 9 cats from the local city animal shelter over the last 2 years.
Courtney: Yes! A 12 year old mix, Queenie and an 8 year old Norwich Terrier mix, Scrappy.
JBW: Little Known Fact about you:
Courtney: I don’t actually know how to knit....just kidding!...hmm...I studied ballet and voice very seriously as a teenager and went as far as to attend the Professional Performing Arts School in New York, but the only real end result from all that training is I am very good at public speaking!Kate: I am woefully inflexible and even at my most fit (circa 1998) I was never able to touch my toes.
To celebrate the arrival of this wonderful company to the JBW family, we have a couple surprises for you! The first is that Kristen will be leading a super fun Knit-A-Long starting next week, right here on the blog. Be sure to check back next Wednesday for the first installment.
And what KAL and celebration would be the same without a giveaway? We will be doing a kit giveaway for the same project that Kristen will be leading in the KAL! How exciting!! And what is the pattern? It's the Springtime Bandit Shawl using Terra! And how can you win the kit?
To enter, leave a comment on our blog telling us what your go to quick knit is for the holiday season (truthfully, I just need some ideas! hehe) before Sunday, October 23rd at midnight PST. The winner will be contacted Monday so that she (or he) can receive the kit in time to start with Kristen! Only one comment per person, please.
Also, to find out more about The Fibre Co., check them out here:
Facebook
Blog
Website
Twitter
Thank you to Courtney and Kate! Good luck everyone!!
Happy knitting and crocheting!
Bethany
PS I know you would love to get our twice monthly Newsletter! It is full of all the news here at the shop, what we are working on and great product updates, of course it's FREE and your information is secure!! We never sell, share or trade your information, so check it out!
And what KAL and celebration would be the same without a giveaway? We will be doing a kit giveaway for the same project that Kristen will be leading in the KAL! How exciting!! And what is the pattern? It's the Springtime Bandit Shawl using Terra! And how can you win the kit?
To enter, leave a comment on our blog telling us what your go to quick knit is for the holiday season (truthfully, I just need some ideas! hehe) before Sunday, October 23rd at midnight PST. The winner will be contacted Monday so that she (or he) can receive the kit in time to start with Kristen! Only one comment per person, please.
Also, to find out more about The Fibre Co., check them out here:
Blog
Website
Thank you to Courtney and Kate! Good luck everyone!!
Happy knitting and crocheting!
Bethany
PS I know you would love to get our twice monthly Newsletter! It is full of all the news here at the shop, what we are working on and great product updates, of course it's FREE and your information is secure!! We never sell, share or trade your information, so check it out!
Hats. Any hat. Preferable with worsted yarn on size 8 needles. Takes a day and the recipient is always happy!
ReplyDeleteThe big chunky cowl is always a go-to favorite - fairly unisex and easy to finish in a few hours if you're using size 19 needles. And at that size, even garter looks elegant and complex!
ReplyDeleteMy go to is hats. I usually do at least one Jacques Cousteau hat for the men in my life and some sort of chunky hat for women. I also do lots and lots of dishtowels.
ReplyDeleteEvery Christmas I make hats and mittens for my 4, soon to be 5, granddaughters!! I usually use Kate's Cap pattern and a variety of mitten patterns. I have also made them fingerless gloves and leg warmers. It is going to soon be difficult to keep up with 5!
ReplyDeleteQuick knits for holidays.......hats, hats, hats!
ReplyDeleteWould love to win the kit!
Sydney S
My favorite go-to would have to be hats too, but I don't have a favorite pattern. I love to make hats for some reason, and have dozens of patterns in my Ravelry queue.
ReplyDeleteKaren V.
Hats! Just purchased Weekend Hats from you and I am knitting my way through the book. Everyone gets a hat this Christmas.
ReplyDeleteOooh, that shawl looks fun! My go-to for holiday knitting is hats. They knit up quickly, don't cost too much for yarn, and it's really easy to find just the right design and yarn for anyone on my list. This year, my faves are the Castiel Hat from Wooly Wormheads, the Habitat hat from Jared Flood (great for guys), and the Brattleboro hat from New England Knits.
ReplyDeleteFingerless gloves & Rebecca danger monsters!
ReplyDeleteI am working on this now, but I think it will be my go-to quick knitted gift pattern from now on: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drop-stitch-scarf-2
ReplyDeleteFree drop stitch scarf pattern from Ravelry. It is really, really pretty!!! Especially in the Malabrigo Silky Merino yarn I got from JBW. ;)
For quick gifts, I like to knit hats. Right now, I'm making Jesse's Christmas Hat for my brother. Debbie H
ReplyDeleteawesome! i never knit quick gifts thats why im usually pulling my hair out around this time every year :) but i did knit a garter shawl a couple weeks ago that i liked a lot and took me no time at all..and uses very little yardage http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garterrific ...raineoc@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHats, for sure!
ReplyDeleteOh, Hats. Also arm warmers.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fairly new knitter, so this is my first year of holiday gifting. I'm thinking a cowl/short scarf will be doable - at least I hope so!!!
ReplyDeleteHi! Great interview! My go-tos are socks, fingerless gloves (like the ones in the book Weekend Knitting), and simple shawlettes (working on the pattern Simple Things found on Ravelry right now). I have good intentions but usually end up issuing a lot of I.O.U.s for knit goods. : ). Thanks for the chance to win! : )
ReplyDeleteI'm a hat knitter too-earflap hats have been well received,and if it's a domestic kind of person, basic dish cloths work too.
ReplyDeleteCowls & baby sweater(crocheted pattern from the 70's).Love Fibre Company & this interview.
ReplyDeleteRav rinebird
rinebird@gmail.com
Hats.. I make a ton of hats... but I really want to comment and say how much I enjoyed your blog post Bethany... I've had springtime bandit in my queue forever so I'm going to join in to the KAL... Love C&K like sisters and it's been so rewarding to watch them grow this company over the years. They're both so incredibly savvy with such a unique design aesthetic and of course, that eye for luscious color and quality yarn. FC yarns are going to be a favorite of JBW'ers for a long time to come. Thanks to Laura for bringing it on board!
ReplyDeletefetchings work up pretty quickly!
ReplyDeleteMy to go knit for holidays is wrist warmers. I just love those fingerless ones. They are easy to knit and can finish fast within one or two days. In fact Veylas by Ysolda Teague are going to be my knitting gifts for all my friends this year.
ReplyDeleteMy go-to this season is going to be mini stocking ornaments. They are really cute with little fair isle patterns on the top:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-christmas-stocking-ornaments
Sweetie41 on Ravelry
My go to quick project has been fingerless mitts, mostly "Fetching" from Knitty.
ReplyDeleteA cowl or two, or three!! Oh, and a few wrist warmers for good measure.
ReplyDeleteyogasuze on Ravelry
I make hats all year long so I have plenty for all the kids in the family by December and enough to donate to charity. I also make a huge number of plain vanilla socks even though it takes a week or two to make a pair. I have wanted to make that shawl for sometime now and would love to win the kit. Thanks so much for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteHats, hats, and more hats! Easy and everyone can get their favorite color(s).
ReplyDeleteI don't have a go to knit for the holidays but each year I do try to come up with some kind of ornament to knit - a star or angel from EZ or Cork Nisse or something along those lines.
ReplyDeleteI knit mittens....two at a time on two circulars. I do socks that way too! Love, love, love your give away!!
ReplyDeleteMy go to knit for holiday gifts is a cowl - I have yarn at home just waiting to be knit into cowls for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFingerless mitts are a great gift for the holidays; quick, easy and use about one skein of yarn. Laura
ReplyDeleteMy go-to quick knit for the holidays is hats, scarves and shawls. Everyone needs them, right? It's a great way to finish a 1-2 skein project.
ReplyDeleteMy go to knit use to be hats, but my husband has 5 nieces and nephews and we just had a baby girl so this year I'm going to find an easy ornament pattern.
ReplyDeleteHats. Just knocked out a Knotty But Nice from knitty.com using Berroco Vintage. I also think the Misti Alpaca Chunky Shawl-Collared Cowl is a nice gift and fairly quick knit. Especially nice in one of the JBW Landscape Collection colors.
ReplyDeleteHats, cowls, or fingerless mitts
ReplyDeleteHats, scarves, cowls or fingerless mitts. Sometimes cotton dishcloths paired with Mrs. Meyers dish soap.
ReplyDeleteNanaMay on Ravelry
Socks, socks & more socks!
ReplyDeleteFingerless mitts ( a favorite is borrowed from their Give a Hoot) pattern, or a shawlette ( Just enough Ruffles are my go to's.
ReplyDeleteRAV ID. Kristinfitzgerald
Hats are what I do for gifts. I can make a beanie in 2 days. I am also knitting fingerless gloves got several people. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteHats are fun, but this year, it looks like my people want new scarves! I found the Springtime Bandit pattern recently on Ravelry-have been waiting to find the yarn-now you have it!
ReplyDeleteI'm making several pairs of slippers this year hoping they are quick and easy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
kimberlybreid at hotmail dot com
simple fingerless mitts. They knit up quick and they are great gifts for people with touch phone screens.
ReplyDeleteCowls and fingerless mitts- usually in sets for those special friends who are always cold. I love to knit them in fibers with alpaca and silk.
ReplyDeleteHats and cowls. I would love to make the Springtime Bandit, it has been in my queue for awhile and needs to be made!
ReplyDeleteWith a bunch of sisters who like to give me there requests, my favorite are fingerless mitts. Their friends just hate, oh, I mean envy them. Love your yarns.
ReplyDeleteI have a reversible scarf pattern I often use, but this year have been thinking more along the line of shawls for gift ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post!!! How fun to own a great yarn company. Hmmmm. Christmas. I just got my kids Halloween costumes. UGH. I would have to say hats are my favorite, so many choices to match everyone's personalities. I enjoy finger-less reading gloves that I usually try to knit up in cashmere, if I can swing it. One of my new favorite things to knit up quickly is jewelry. I love adding beautiful beads and buttons, plus you helps eat up all that leftover yarn. Looking forward to the KAL, really a beautiful yarn and pattern.
ReplyDeleteCowls using bulky yarn with fun colors (Malabrigo Rasta and Misti Alpaca are my favorite). I recently learned Tunisian Crochet and can't stop making simple rectangle cowls with fun buttons for closure. So fast and pretty!
ReplyDeleteFelted bags/purses. Quick, easy, and mistake proof. Jazz them up with beading and they are ready to go. Springtime Bandit is pretty. Off to check my stash for yarn.
ReplyDeleteSmall shawls would be my favourites. I like garter stitch with a lace edging for speed,or an allover easy texture. I've had springtime bandit on my to-do list forever.I only just worked out that by holiday you mean Christmas:) I also like crochet snowflakes for the tree.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite easy go to holiday knit is a couple of nice wash clothes and some nice soap. Or a mug rug with a cute my and some wonderful tea or hot chocolate.
ReplyDeleteI've done coasters, bookmarks and washcloths for go to office present type knitting. Fingerless mitts, hats, and scarves for more in-depth holiday knitting. This year is hats and mittens for presents.
ReplyDeleteEasy scarf: Knit with size 35 needles and any bulky yarn (a thick & thin yarn gives you great texture). Just plain knit for every row. It looks great and you can knock it off in about 2 hours.
ReplyDeleteI love the Lamar Scarf. The cables have a big impact, and with a chunky yarn, it knits up quickly. Already have a waiting list for this one!
ReplyDeleteHats and fingerless mitts
ReplyDeletemy quick knit project usually are hats...that or felted clogs
ReplyDeleteI would love to win-pick me pick me
(happycrafter207) on ravelry
I think that I am going to try felted slipper and maybe decorate them with beads or embroidery.
ReplyDeleteI like to make and give cowl/scarves that wrap warmly around your neck and button in place - that way the wind doesn't get to you! They're really fast in bulky yarn, too. My sons also like the ear flap hats - one works outside year-round so he wears his under his safety helmet. I like the KAL pattern - I might be intermediate enough to actually follow the chart!
ReplyDeleteI think my quick knit this year is going to be fingerless gloves/mittens (if they're fingerless, what do you call them?)
ReplyDeleteHats! They are quick and colorful.
ReplyDeleteA quick Christmas project...a cowl. Such a trendy choice that can vary in yarn and design so that the knitter is always interested.
ReplyDeletefor guys...a hat or scarf in varied yarns.
Rav-id: MuttiRuth
I make the Jared Flood "Noro" scarf in any two verigated yarns of the same weight. The results are surprising, a fun and easyknit, a stash buster, and suitable for stoplight knitting;-)
ReplyDeleteThis year it will be felted slippers because everyone is requesting replacements because of hard wear. Yes they do wear out over time.
ReplyDeleteGo-To project this year is the Shawl Collar Cowl by Nevernotknitting. Got some great Wool Watcher bargains on chunky alpaca a few weeks back, so I guess I'll have to add Jimmy's name to the gift tag...
ReplyDeleteI think mitts are the way to go this year. I actually had someone stop in my office at work to ask for a pattern, since she had seen my work pair sitting on my desk every time she walked by!
ReplyDeleteI guess I don't really have one - maybe the plain diagonal-knit dishcloth, but that's a bit of a stretch because I sometimes use it to wrap baked goods but it's never the gift on its own. I hardly ever knit for the holidays because I don't like deadlines. Knitting works better for spontaneous gifts.
ReplyDeleteIn and of themselves they aren't particularly creative, but fingerless mitts using simple cable patterns and/or lace patterns really seem to impress the muggles and there are so many options out there that you can vary them according to who gets what. You can also knit them using worsted, which makes them fly off the needles.
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