Welcome to Kate's Blog! 
Check back frequently for the latest updates and designs.
You can view other older posts from Kate on the Tot Toppers Blog. 

Kate Oates Kate Oates

maker’s bingo 2025: the prize reveal

37 incredible prizes

it’s time for the big prize reveal, y’all! if you’re still waiting to decide whether or not you’re going to play this year…I have a feeling once you see this list, you’ll know what to do! britt and I are so incredibly grateful for these amazing sponsors. the generosity and support they have provided us for our game has been encouraging and inspiring to say the least.

whether you win a prize this year or not, we hope that you’ll check out these wonderful companies who have made your odds higher than ever! this is a long post because we really wanted to show off each sponsor, but the accordion below will give you a quick version of each sponsor & their prize(s). we’d love for you to scroll and learn all about these amazing companies.

without further adieu, enjoy!

  • 100 € gift card

  • 10 skeins of Serenity (100% cashmere) + the Serenity Cardigan pattern from Kate Oates {value $510)

  • 3 skeins of your choice!

  • 25$ gift card, candle, BMYS sticker & two cloth labels

  • Tourmaline Crafters Talisman {$125}

  • $100 gift card

  • $100 gift card

  • Floral Stitch Marker Set

  • Hudson Beanie Kit

  • Impervious Shawl Kit

  • 30 min one on one consultation to discuss any of your sizing challenges with knitting patterns!

  • TWO winners will receive this $165+ prize package:

  • classic pint berry basket with ladybugs

  • Full-size skein of Making Tracks LITE in a limited edition colorway, two minis of Making Tracks LITE Undyed, bundled up in our "We Will Rock Ewe" project bag in addition to Kate’s Lovebirds Hat pattern and a fabulously coordinating pom pom

  • Minipalooza pack: 6-skein set of 20g cakes

  • Prism Path Shawl Kit (Knit or Crochet)

  • a lucky player will win a coordinating mini set (yarn!) and mini notions zip pouch

  • $100 Gift Card

  • $50 gift card

  • 2 skeins from plied yarns along with a tote and a ko pattern of the winner’s choice {$75 + value}

  • Three prize packages up for grabs:

    • ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE THE SUMMER CRUSH ISSUE OF POM POM MAGAZINE, A BUNDLE OF MINIS AND A HANDMADE SCRUNCHIE

    • ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE LAINE MAGAZINE, A SINGLE SKEIN OF LEIZU FINGERING AND A HARD COPY VERSION OF THE TWISTY VIOLET CAP WHICH ALSO MEANS YOU GET THE DIGITAL VERSION OF MY NEW TWISTY LACE HAT WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY IDEAL FOR YOUR SINGLE SKEIN

    • ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE LAINE MAGAZINE & 2 SKEINS OF LEIZU FINGERING

  • two skeins of Yani fingering Assigned Pooling yarn in the colorway “Give me Soul” & a stunning handmade ice-dyed notions pouch.

  • two winners will receive $35 gift cards to shop svf!

  • Trug (bag) in the winner’s choice of in-stock print patterns

  • 2 oz unscented richly moisturizing lanolin lotion + an orange & clove scented 7 oz candle {$40 + value}

  • 6 skeins Retrosaria Vovo Rosa Pomar, 2 skeins each in 3 Marled colors including Dust Pink, Lisbon Blue, & Undyed for approx 900 yards total along with a beautiful bag designed & illustrated by blue rabbit house + project tag {$115+ prize value}

  • $30 Gift Card

  • Mini Marshmallow set: 7 mini skeins, composed of 90/10 extra fine superwash merino wool and nylon. Each mini is approx 20 g with 89 yards. {$55}

  • $75 gift card

  • details coming soon!

  • details coming soon

la bien aimée

our primary sponsor this year is la bien aimée.

not only are they offering a fabulous prize, they also collaborated with us on our makealong design for both the knit And crochet versions!

one lucky winner will receive a 100€ gift card for fabulous shopping from lba.

about la bien aimée

Established in 2015, La Bien Aimée is an artisanal dye studio located in Paris, France. Aimée Gille and her team dye beautiful and sophisticated colors of yarn that reflect a unique and vibrant point of view.

not only do I consider aimee a precious friend and have had the pleasure of her company on multiple occasions, I’ve been honored to work with lba on a number of designs, so enjoy the pics below if you need some inspiration on what to spend that gift card on! click on the photos for details.

anzula yarns

one lucky winner will receive my Serenity Sweater pattern and 10 Skeins of Serenity in the Au Natural colorway. serenity is 100% cashmere and this prize is valued at $510. Yup, you read that right.

as with la bien aimée, i’ve partnered with anzula with a variety of projects and I had to share them with you to brag on this awesome company.

about anzula

Anzula is located in Downtown Fresno, California. We are passionate about good yarn and vibrant colors. Our team hand-dyes yarn and fibers made from the most luxurious fibers in the world like cashmere, camel, tussah silk, linen, merino, targhee, tencel, alpaca, yak, and milk protein. Our intense love of knitting, crocheting, weaving has lead us to create over 140 stunning colorways, all of which are available in every yarn base we offer.

bad sheep yarn

one lucky winner will win 3 skeins of the yarn of their choice from bad sheep yarn!

this company is special not just because of their gorgeous products, but because our very own britt is a part of it!

about bad sheep yarn

HI, I'M MARCIE. I’m the artist behind Bad Sheep Yarn! I started to knit when I was 10 because I loved the Little House books and it was just the next logical step to becoming Laura. I kept knitting all through my teenage and adult years and eventually I ended up here, running my own yarn dying studio! And what a delightful whirlwind it is. At Bad Sheep Yarn we firmly believe that the beauty of hand dyed yarn is that it makes every stitch an exciting new adventure. It’s my honor and joy to create yarn that makes you fall in love and your fingers itch to create.

black mountain yarn shop

one lucky winner will receive a 25$ gift card, candle, BMYS sticker & two cloth labels from this fabulous lys. this prize is valued at over $50 and you’ll have no trouble at all spending that $25… just sayin’.

about black mountain yarn shop

BMYs is located in the north carolina mountains and a frequent favorite stop of kate’s! owner’s danni & jason have hosted kate in person on more than one occasion (they even got ryan, “mr ko” to come), and are always generous when it comes to supporting bingo! you may notice that benjamin, jason & danni’s son, is a favorite snuggler of mine!

birdie parker designs

oh this is such a good one! one lucky winner will receive the Tourmaline

Crafters Talisman valued at

$125.

I ran into kristi at nash yarn fest and it was such a treat! I have quite the collection of her products myself and if I wasn’t an ethical individual, I may not have posted this particular prize, lol!

about birdie parker designs

Birdie Parker Designs is a line of jewelry and accessories for knitters and crocheters, fiber artists and yarn lovers. All designs are crafted entirely by hand by Kristi Jensen in her home studio in Northridge, CA. A lifelong dabbler in many art forms, Kristi earned a BFA in Metalsmithing from California State University Long Beach in 2016. Birdie Parker Designs came about as a desire to combine her two passions, Metalsmithing and Fiber Arts. She utilizes many different techniques to create the knitting themed jewelry and accessories, including electro-etching, kiln-fired vitreous enameling and hydraulically pressed forms.

When she's not in the smithing studio, Kristi can most often be found knitting, sipping wine and actively trying to contain an ever-expanding stash of yarn.

dyeing wishes yarn co.

one lucky winner will receive yet another incredibly generous prize, a $100 gift card to dyeing wishes for whateva ya fancy!

about dyeing wishes

Playfully dyed yarn and spinning fiber. I'm a one woman operation based in Connecticut. I'm so grateful that I get to bring my love of knitting & crochet, yarn, art, nostalgia, and the fiber community together to bring a product to the community that helps to spread joy and love! I'm constantly inspired by nostalgia and the world around me, and when I'm playing with colors on yarn and fiber I'm at my happiest!

fangirl fibers

are you loving these gift card prizes as much as I am? another lucky winner gets $100 to spent at FGf!

about fan girl fibers

Fangirl Fibers specializes in producing high-quality, hand-dyed yarns inspired by various fandoms from pop culture, literature, movies, TV shows, and gaming. Our unique approach combines the passion of avid fans with the expertise of skilled artisans, resulting in yarn collections that resonate with enthusiasts that allow them to create unique. one of a kind creations. Our product line features a wide range of hand-dyed yarns, notions and apparel are meticulously crafted to reflect the essence of each different fandoms. Our collections include exclusive colorways, and themed kits that cater to knitters, crocheters, weavers, and other fiber artists.

an oh so useful and lovely prize! ONE LUCKY winner will receive a set of hello lavender’s Long Floral stitch markers. this set includes a primary marker and two accent markers. The entire set will come with Lever Back attachments that fit up to 8mm knitting needles.

you know I love roses so I just adore this set! it may or may not be in my cart right now… i’m so grateful that britt introduced me to this lovely company!

about hello lavender

Reshma is the founder of Hello Lavender. She is a polymer clay artist who makes stitch markers and earrings, and she recently began offering hand dyed fiber and yarn as well. She started the business back in 2016, and after launching stitch markers in 2020, her husband Mike was able to join the business full time in 2021.

hudson & west co.

this lucky winner will recieve The Hudson Beanie kit, designed by Meghan Babin. this hat is a highly customizable beanie for everyone. the marl is created by holding two strands doubled of h&w Weld in contrasting colors, creating an eye-catching fabric. The kit includes two contrasting skeins of Weld, the pattern, one of our custom foldover labels, and an H+W project bag.

i’ve known sloane for years and years, and was so delighted when she and meghan created their stunning yarn line! they are so talented both as designers and everything that goes along with running a yarn company. i’ve loved working with them through the years!

about hudson & west co.

Hudson + West Co. is a yarn company dedicated to bringing innovative American-produced yarns to the handknitting market, paired with modern and wearable designs that highlight those yarns’ best qualities. Designer-driven and knitter-focused, Hudson + West Co. is about making fine yarns that you’ll want to return to over and over. We create yarns that support the ready-to-wear inspired garments and accessories that form the core of the modern knitter’s wardrobe. And we produce our yarns in the U.S., using a traceable, sustainable, and fair supply chain.

indigo dragonfly

&
Kim McBrien Evans

about indigo dragonfly

Indigodragonfly offers our individual and unique takes on traditional yarn dyeing, refusing to be a cog in the cookie-cutter yarn industry. We specialize in luxury yarns with an emphasis on finding the best yarns as well as developing custom yarns with our global-wide mill partners to bring you products no-one else has. We are also well-known for our humour – we could call that blue skein Dye Lot #346 but where’s the fun in that – one of our yarn clubs is the Smart-Ass Knitters for World Domination Club; ’nuff said?

about kim mcbrien evans

Kim believes all bodies are good bodies and deserve clothing that fits. She also believes that clothing should be dynamic and exciting to knit and to wear. Known for designs that turn abstract ideas into colour-filled hand knit reality while simultaneously fitting and honouring every body, Kim aims to revolutionize sweater fit, sizing, and how diverse bodies are represented in the yarn world through research, education, and collaborations with makers worldwide.

it’s a two-fer!

Kim is a designer & she’s also got an amazing yarn co. so, I’m listing both prizes together. one winner will receive an Impervious Shawl kit. Another winner will receive a one-on-one sweater fit consultation with kim. this is absolutely golden if you want to learn more about how to create sweaters that fit your body.

the Kit contains:

super yummy for any shawl lovers! I’ve seen this shawl in person and it is absolutely stunning.

Fit Consultation can be used to ask Kim anything you wish about Sweater Fit, for example:

  • how to choose the right size for your body

  • how to make simple length adjustments

  • how to modify a sleeve

  • why pattern x didn't fit well and how to adjust it in the future

  • how to ensure the sweater fits in the shoulders

if you know me, you know I am totally passionate about this particular subject (tailoring workshop) and I know that whomever wins this particular prize will truly get a priceless experience!

the katy lin boutique

&
kate oates

yup! it’s me! I have put together two prize packages and I hope you’ll love them. they are composed of the same products, however they also include a choice! each winner will receive:

again there are two of these prize packages available and each are worth upwards of $165. if you see something in the photos that I’ve forgotten to list, it’s included too. 🤣 it was a lot to write out!

I won’t take more page space to describe myself, but if you’d like to learn a little bit about me, just click here.
As for my boutique, I adore curating selected knit-friendly & self-care products from independent makers.

this might just be the cutest prize this year! this winner will receive jam pdx’s classic pint berry basket with ladybugs {$40}. It's made from porcelain clay and decorated with tiny ladybugs crawling around the edges. It will be perfect for summer berries, or snacks of any kind!

about jampdx

JaMpdx is the collaboration of Jenn Gauer and Meghan Radick, two friends who have been making ceramics together since 2004. Jenn throws pots on the wheel and Meghan decorates them using cake decorating techniques. Clay frosting! We make a line of ceramics that inspire crafters to fully enjoy working with their yarn, from mugs with crafty themes to yarn bowls for holding your project in process.

junction fiber mill

this fortuitous winner will receive a fabulous kit that includes a little of me and a lot of JFM! this prize includes one full-size skein of Making Tracks LITE in a limited edition colorway, two minis of Making Tracks LITE Undyed, bundled up in our "We Will Rock Ewe" project bag in addition to my lovebirds hat pattern and a fabulously coordinating pom pom from my seriously legit collection, a value of $80+.

our live with jfm was SO much fun! despite technical difficulties, we totally won. check it out here to learn more about this incredibly conscientious company.

jfm’s Making Tracks yarn is a variegated blend of fine Merino, Targhee, and Corriedale wool from flocks in Idaho to western South Dakota. Scoured and combed at Chargeurs, it is hand-dyed, pin-drafted, spun, and finished at their mill. Proudly 100% American-grown and produced, this non-superwashed, non-mulesed yarn pairs beautifully with solid colors for stunning colorwork or can be used on its own for gradual color shifts.

about junction fiber mill

Junction Fiber Mill is a small batch wool processing mill started by two sheep farmers/friends, Amanda & Peggy. Nestled in the heart of White River Junction, Vermont, Junction Fiber Mill is more than just a mill – it's a community of fiber enthusiasts dedicated to creating high-quality, breed-specific yarns. Our journey began in 2021 when Amanda and Peggy came together over a shared passion for fiber. Today, we've grown into a talented team of people who share our love for crafting beautiful, sustainable yarns.\

At Junction Fiber Mill, we are committed to:

Supporting American Wool Growers: We source our wool both locally and domestically, ensuring that every skein of yarn is made with care and supports American wool growers.

Crafting Authentic Yarn: We work with real wool, avoiding superwash treatments to preserve the natural characteristics of the fibers.

Creating with Passion: Our hand-dyed yarns are the result of meticulous processes and a love for the craft, providing you with unique colorways that inspire creativity.

juni + si

one lucky winner will receive a Minipalooza pack! It includes a 6-skein set of 20g cakes for your pleasure be it colorwork, striping, smaller projects or whatever. I loved our live where we learned how Jean came up with her company’s name, and so much more. we may have gotten a bit off topic, but it was fuuuuuuuun stuff.

about juni + si

I'm Jean, the owner and dyer of Juni & Si yarns. I dye out of my home in beautiful Snoqualmie, Washington. I started dyeing in 2021 just to see how it worked. After getting the hang of it, I decided to see if anyone else would love what I was doing. Happily, they did and what started as a fun learning experience has turned into an amazing job.

My business name comes from my grandchildren, Juniper and Silas. The logo was designed by my oldest child and includes a sprig of Juniper and a rendering of Mt. Si, which graces the Snoqualmie skyline. My colorways are all names after songs that either have personal meaning or just make me and hopefully you, happy.

knot bad britt

what, you didn’t think my amazing partner was gonna put together an incredible prize? of course she did! a winner will receive a Prism Path Shawl Kit which can be knit or crocheted. that means Yarn + pattern. 🤘🏽

rock on, britt.

i introduced her in our initial bingo post, so click here to learn more about how utterly fabulous she is.

magpie fibers

those magpies always have the cutest goodies up their sleeves! a lucky player will win a coordinating mini set and mini notions zip pouch: Featuring a palette of coordinating colors with dreamy vibes, each skein is a unique colorway, perfect for standalone projects or combined for a larger masterpiece. Spun on our luxurious Swanky Sock base (80/20/20 Wool/Cashmere/Nylon), these skeins offer incredible drape and irresistible softness. As a bonus, we've included a handy mini notions pouch with a clear "window" – because who doesn't love tiny treasures?

we also got to go live with magpie, so if you want to see the goods in person, check us out!

about magpie fibers

Magpie Fibers is a small, women owned and operated business obsessed with helping you bring your next project to life with our rich selection of hand-dyed yarns. We take pride in ourselves, but never ourselves too seriously - because making should be fun! We hope you love using our yarns as much as we love creating them.

magpie and I go way way back and so many of my most popular designs were created with their fiber! in fact, my very first “kate oates” design was Dyad, featuring magpie. I have yarn in hand to give this awesome pattern a makeover.

miss babs

drumroll please…another lucky winner gets a $100 gift card to use at Miss babs yarn!

about miss babs

Babs and the Miss Babs Team have been dyeing beautiful yarns in our studio in the mountains of eastern Tennessee since 2005. Miss Babs offers a wide variety of yarn bases from lace to chunky in a stunning range of colorways. Between our semi-solids, repeatable variegated colors (Babettes), and one of a kind colors (Wild Irises) we hope to have the right color - or combination of colors - for your next project.

north bay fiber

from nbf, one lucky winner will receive a $50 gift card. not only does north bay make delicious yarn, jill is a dear friend of mine that has always been supportive of bingo. she was even a partner as a designer years ago and last year we collaborated on my Rhinebeck sweater and were roomies at the show!

about north bay fiber

North Bay Fiber is a women-owned yarn company founded in 2021 by knitwear designer Jill Zielinski, also known as Knitterella. Specializing in breed-specific, custom-milled, hand-dyed, non-superwash yarns, North Bay Fiber specializes in producing yarns that are 100% American-sourced and milled. Each skein showcases the natural beauty of wool, enhanced by rich, hand-dyed colorways designed to inspire makers and elevate their craft.

In 2023, North Bay Fiber expanded into a new facility, strengthening its dyeing operations and opening a brick-and-mortar yarn shop. This welcoming space has become a creative hub for the fiber arts community, offering a thoughtfully curated selection of yarns, kits, patterns, and classes for makers of all skill levels.

More than just a yarn company, North Bay Fiber is a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and connection. With a deep respect for the legacy of wool, it continues to inspire knitters, crocheters, and fiber enthusiasts to create pieces they’ll cherish for years to come.

oak city fibers

this delightful yarn shop is awarding a winner 2 skeins of plied yarn along with a tote, and of course, i’m throwing in a pattern to go with! I’ve got a few suggestions, but I decided that this winner will get to choose whatever pattern they’d like (might I suggest you wait until after bingo is over to decide!) whether or not it goes with the yarn.

about oak city fibers

Oak City Fibers was created in the summer of 2023 and opened November 1, 2023. Glen founded the business based solely on building a diverse community of fiber enthusiasts along with an even more diverse offering of yarns for crochet and knitting. The business and community has grown beyond anything he ever thought it would be and continues to thrive based on a safe space, welcoming all people from all walks of life.

i’ve had the pleasure of being an instructor at oak city fibers and glen was such a wonderful host! it was one of those times where I didn’t take nearly enough photos (a common problem OF MINE) BUT I’LL ALWAYS TREASURE THE VISIT and i’m so glad I got a shot with glen in our fabulously colorful glasses.

JULIE ASSELIN

NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE PRIZE PACKAGES ARE UP FOR GRABS FROM JULIE!

  • ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE THE SUMMER CRUSH ISSUE OF POM POM MAGAZINE, A BUNDLE OF MINIS AND A HANDMADE SCRUNCHIE

  • ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE LAINE MAGAZINE, A SINGLE SKEIN OF LEIZU FINGERING AND A HARD COPY VERSION OF THE TWISTY VIOLET CAP WHICH ALSO MEANS YOU GET THE DIGITAL VERSION OF MY NEW TWISTY LACE HAT WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY IDEAL FOR YOUR SINGLE SKEIN

  • ONE WINNER WILL RECEIVE LAINE MAGAZINE & 2 SKEINS OF LEIZU FINGERING

I HAD THE AWESOME PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING NASH YARN FEST WITH JULIE & JEAN-FRANÇOIS, I GOT TO HELP IN THE BOOTH AND HELP MAKERS CHOOSE YARN (ONE OF MY FAVORITE PASTTIMES). JULIE IS ANOTHER LONG TIME FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN A CONSTANT SUPPORT & ENCOURAGEMENT and I’ve got another slideshow for ya below the prize images featuring her yarn on my designs.

about julie asselin

Behind Julie Asselin Yarns, foremost, is us, Julie and Jean-François, two craftspeople driven by the need to offer original yarns that will unleash your creativity.From the conception of our yarns—by perfecting our dyeing processes and promoting local and responsible production—to our vocation, which combines openness to the world and plurality—we want, above all, to reach, include and bring together all fibre-art enthusiasts. For us, a spirit of community and mutual support is of the essence.

yanihandmade

Yanihandmade’s prize is two skeins of Yani fingering Assigned Pooling yarn in the colorway “Give me Soul” & a stunning handmade ice-dyed notions pouch. You’ll have enough yarn to complete a larger version of the shawl “Soho Orchid” by Zuzana Skrabakova (pictured), or any other 2-sk assigned pooling project.

yani is one of the kindest souls i have ever had the pleasure of knowing! we met at black mountain yarn shop several years back and immediately made some trades! I’m obsessed with my ice-dyed sweatshirt, skirt & notions pouches. when I saw the photo of the pouch in her prize, I told her I was jealous of the winner and several days later, I received 2 pouches of my own! how incredibly sweet is that?

about yanihandmade

My name is Yani. YaniHandmade are the Yarns that I dye in my small studio in the south of Pittsburgh, PA and also in Asheville,NC. I find inspiration in the beautiful Asheville mountains, the colors and the light around me, and also the Pittsburgh sunsets and sharp-contrasting seasons. My inspiration from nature extends to my passion for ice dying, which produces such an unpredictable burst of colors that make me happy and that I hope will also bring you a little bit my joy.

sun valley fibers

one more two-fer

two winners will receive a $35 gift card to svf! Jeanette & george are incredibly creative and talented individuals that make the perfect team both professionally and personally ♥︎. sun valley fibers goal is “Bringing you all the colors of the rainbow” and having been an instructor at their retreat & seeing their studio I can honestly tell you that they do just that!

when I was in wisconsin for the svf retreat a few years ago, I got the privilege of visiting jeanette & george’s farm and they even let me drive the tractor. I left with both fabulous experiences and treasured goodies. george is an artist in his own right, an extraordinary woodworker. I purchased a cutting board that I use daily and they even gifted me a bowl before I headed to the airport. the fiber industry is packed with great people.

upstudio brooklyn

from upstudio, one lucky winner will receive their original Trug (bag): Perfect for a WIP, gathering flowers and vegetables from the garden, a trip to the Farmer's market, toting cheese, crackers and a bottle of wine, a dozen cupcakes or two pies worth of apples! The UpStudio Trug is designed to get your precious cargo from here to there and look fabulous when you get there! All Trugs are hand printed or painted on and lined with white cotton canvas with an inside pocket for your bits and pieces. The vegetable tanned leather handle will darken with age and use. Trug measures - 12" long, 5" wide and 5" high. Handle is 12" long. the Winner will choose from any in-stock patterns.

britt introduced me to upstudio & I was so thrilled when I saw their booth at nash yarn fest! we got to chat and I got to see the trug in person. let me tell you, if you win this prize you’re gonna adore it! and this is coming from a total bag lady ☺️

about upstudio brooklyn

UpStudio is jewelry and accessories for fiber lovers and the people who enable them. Many of my jewelry collections are inspired by the stitches that we fiber crafters love. My block printed and painted accessories are inspired by the wants and needs I've found as a passionate fiber crafter and maker.

utopia bath ltd.

this winner will receive unscented richly moisturizing lanolin lotion + an orange & clove scented 7 ounce candle. yummy! perfect for some self-care time! the candle has a 40 hour + burn time and a wooden wick, and the lotion is perfectly sized for on the go, whether in your purse or making it through tsa. when I opened my boutique, merilyn was the first person I reached out to. I had fallen in deep love with her best hand créme ever after purchasing it at the new york sheep & wool festival. now, it’s one of my best selling products and I can only imagine this hand lotion is going to be just as fabulous.

about utopia bath ltd., from the owner, Merilyn

This is my second career. I had my own design import business for 12 years until the economy dropped in 2008. I took some time off to try to figure out what I wanted to do next and in searching found this site called, Etsy! 
I was inspired by a soap made by a lady in England. I ordered it and thought it was beautiful and then a light bulb went off in my head...HEY! I could do this!

I researched, read, took courses all over the country. I was hooked! Soon after my initial batches, I got my first customer. My initial order was 1000 bars! In August 2010, I took a booth at the NY Int'l Gift Show and won as a finalist in the Bath & Body Section's 'New Products' category. 

When I started I had a one bedroom apartment in NYC - but now I live on the south shore of Long Island...My rescue terrier, Julia, and I wake up each morning to the edge of a Wetland Preserve...bramble bunnies, fox, the occasional snapping turtle, tons of birds, geese, swans, hawks, racoons...we all co-exist like so many creatures in a fairy tale wonderland. Since my initial days of soap - I followed my heritage and now formulate lotions and creams that many, many customers buy time and again. Funny how life evolves - my great grandfather, grandfather and Dad were/are all chemists! And even now, after having crafted thousands of soaps - I get silly, giddy, crazy excited when I tear open a new bar, lather up and see the bubbles of my creation in my hands! I hope you enjoy my products as much as I did crafting them!

wooldreamers

do you like yarn? (rhetorical) this winner will receive a total of 500g wooldreamers Motiva or Cautiva.

from wooldreamers

Motiva and Cautiva are two collections very close to our hearts at Wool Dreamers! All of the fibers used for these lines are sourced from ranches within 150 km of our mill and are produced by dairy sheep.The wool from dairy sheep is commonly undervalued and ends up composted or burned. We developed these collections to show that these disregarded fibers are a valuable resource! All of Wool Dreamers’ yarns are woolen spun, producing a lightweight feel in even our heaviest yarns! Both Mota and Cautiva feature a “Z twist” construction which is especially great for crocheters who find that their yarn tends to over twist while working.

although I haven’t personally worked with these two yarns, I have worked with manchelopis (Mint Condition is shown below)! one of my favorite parts of our live with wooldreamers was learning how to pronounce it correctly 🤣 I also learned so much about how eco-friendly their processes are. definitely worth a watch & listen.

about wooldreamers

Wool Dreamers is a mill based yarn company from Mota del Cuervo, Spain. We source natural fibers cultivated throughout Spain to bring you uniquely beautiful and hearty materials for knitting, crochet, weaving and anything you can dream of!

yarn bar

this lovely prize is a fabulous collection. this winner will receive 2 skeins each of Retrosaria Vovo Rosa Pomar in 3 Marled colors including Dust Pink, Lisbon Blue, & Undyed for approx 900 yards total along with a beautiful bag designed & illustrated by blue rabbit house (based in belgium) & a project tag.

Yarn bar is yet another generous and wonderful local yarn shop that i’ve been blessed to visit and fall in love with both the shop and it’s owners. Sue & linda are such a fun pair and they have amazing taste! I found myself doing way too much shopping while I wasn’t teaching, and the dance party was probably my favorite minute 💃🏼

about yarn bar

We believe that the fiber world is an amazing place full of kind people and beautiful yarns just waiting to be made into something unique. We are passionate about the rich traditions of handwork, making things, color theory, learning, and sharing time and talent outside the shop walls. Our enthusiasm is evident in the curated yarns, tools, and ideas we have combined to encourage all levels to start from the beginning, enhance & expand current skills, and spark general “fiber creativity”.

We are also firm believers in the importance of independent retail shops within a community. The assortment of places to shop has always contributed to the feel of a town, whether drawing people in for their Saturday Marketing or creating Destination Shopping for visitors. We also love shopping! While anything and everything can be purchased from behind a computer screen, the internet does not care about whether you're studying for an exam, just got into a fender bender, Mom's having surgery, you're off to meet a friend for coffee, are planning some fun travel, or you're here on a work trip. These are the snippets of daily lives that are a part of what makes running a little shop important ~ face-to-face interactions, a little connection in the bigger community. And this is what we especially love about running our local yarn shop - the human connections.

suburban stitcher

a $30 gift card to suburban stitcher is also up for grabs! if ya don’t know how near & dear dianne is to me, you must be new here so thanks for visiting! dianne was recently the featured dyer at my stitch & beach retreat and we collaborated on a 4-piece capsule collection. she’s just as fabulous as her yarn and especially if you haven’t tried it before, this prize is a great opportunity to do just that.

about suburban stitcher

Suburban Stitcher is a hand-dyed yarn business owned and operated by Dianne brown. dianne specializes in fine merino and merino blends, with a focus on beautiful things, nature, and yarn fades. Dianne lives and creates in the suburbs of Houston, Texas.

teal torch knits

this squishy yarny prize makes me so happy to look at! one lucky winner will receive a 7-Mini skein Marshmallow set from Teal torch knits. Each mini is composed of 90/10 extra fine superwash merino wool and nylon, approx 20 g & 89 yards. So that’s just about 625 yards of color to play with!

about teal torch knits

Teal Torch Knits is based in Portland, Oregon and owned and operated by indie dyer Christina. She has been knitting and crocheting since childhood and decided to try her hand at dyeing yarn. It started as a food coloring experiment in the kitchen and has grown into a full-time business. Christina pulls inspiration from pop culture, music, movies and tv. Her color palettes range from subtle speckles to bright pastel neons.

treehouse knits

how about $75 to spend with this delightful dyer? you can’t ever have enough yarn and thanks to lauren, another one of our players will get an opportunity to go shopping. although I haven’t met lauren in person, I have designed with her yarn! I created a springy duo when I was an instructor at the hill country weavers retreat several years ago.

from lauren mattinson, owner & dyer of treehouse knits

Hi everyone! My name is Lauren and I’m from Austin, TX. I’m a long time knitter and crocheter. I am lucky to be married John, a very helpful second hand, and together we share Luke, our two year old son. I started my dye journey about 2 years ago by working with another well known indie yarn dyer. I am eternally grateful for the time I had learning and growing as a yarn dyer, but I am bursting at the seams with ideas of my own! I hope you follow me along on this next phase of my hand dyeing career! I am so excited to be building a brand of my own and I hope it brings joy and happiness to many of you!

hazel knits

prize details coming soon

about hazel knits

We offer a selection of carefully chosen yarn bases - some custom-milled just for us - ranging from lace weight to worsted weight in a wide selection of spectacular colors. we offer the opportunity to dye-to-order most of our yarn bases to ensure that you can find just the right yarn for your project. Grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy a relaxing browse through our yarns. The human eye can identify a million colors. Explore them with Hazel Knits.

scented stitches

prize details coming soon

about scented stitches

You know that lingering scent of perfume or cologne on a favorite scarf or sweater? What if it was intentional and not just an after-effect? How about adding a little bit of aromatherapy as you knit or crochet? That’s where Scented Stitches comes in. It’s a knitters’ balm with the extra ‘oomph’ of essential oils. Small batch, hand poured and lovingly blended, the scents are formulated for every day use.

that was a doozy right? But in the very best of ways!

I won’t keep you much longer, but here’s what you need to know:

  1. register for bingo by 3.30.25 and you’ll receive your card before the first play.

  2. register 3.31 - 4.5 and you’ll receive your card within 48 hours, and we will catch you up on patterns & any makealong clues you’ve missed.

  3. registration closes for this year’s makers bingo on 4.5!

you know you want to do

play with us next year

🧶

play with us next year 🧶

Read More