This week, we’re excited to spotlight Josie! From knitting and crochet to spinning, Josie’s love for fiber arts shines through in everything she creates. Whether she’s tackling an intricate sweater or spinning alpaca fiber into something cozy and handmade, her creativity and passion are impossible to miss.
🧶 How did you get into knitting, crochet, and fiber arts?
I’ve always loved fiber arts. I remember walking into yarn stores as a kid and feeling like I was in heaven. A friend taught me how to crochet when I was really young. I didn’t do it much at the time, but I picked it up again during COVID.
Then I decided I wanted to learn to knit, so I taught myself using online videos. I completely fell in love with knitting, and my hunt for yarn eventually brought me to the steps of Yarncom. After two years of working here, I decided to expand into spinning as well. I’m definitely no expert spinner, but it’s such a rewarding art form.
🧵 What was your very first project?
My first knitting project was a headband. I still have it and even wear it occasionally! It was a great way to learn the basics.
✨ What’s your current WIP?
There are many 😅 But one that’s especially inspiring right now is an all-over intarsia sweater with a quilt motif. It makes my heart happy because it’s such a great stash buster.
She’s definitely a beast to work on with how many colors are attached at once, but it’s beautiful and worth it.
🪡 What’s your favorite type of project to make?
It totally depends on the season. I try to find a balance between finishing projects and starting things that currently inspire me. Recently though, I’ve been allowing myself the space to finish older projects.
🌈 Do you have a favorite yarn in the shop right now?
I’m a big fan of Noro Sonata. The colors are stunning, and it knits and crochets into such beautiful fabric. It’s a really versatile option for a lot of different seasons and projects.
🧰 What’s one tool you can’t live without?
I’m a ChiaoGoo ride-or-die kind of girl. Honestly, I would like to be buried with my full ChiaoGoo set of four-inch interchangeable needles 😂
🧡 What’s a project you’re especially proud of?
I was gifted alpaca fiber from Colorado, and I spun all of it myself before knitting it into a hood that I designed. To maximize the cozy factor, I also designed, pieced, and hand-sewed a wool lining into the hood.
It was very much a “start to finish” kind of project, and it still gives me such a strong sense of accomplishment.
💡 What’s something you wish you knew when you first started?
I didn’t understand the concept of tinking. Every time I made a mistake, I would rip out the entire project. It would have been very valuable to know that most mistakes can actually be salvaged!
👀 Are you more of a “start new projects” person or “finish what you started” person?
That definitely depends. Right now I’m in a season of finishing projects. But I also allow myself to put things aside if I’m no longer resonating with them.
Once a project starts annoying me more than bringing me joy, I let myself step back for a while.
☕ Coffee, tea, or snacks while crafting?
Occasionally tea! But I usually save snacks for before or after crafting because I don’t want dirty fingers while I work 🫣
🌿 What would you recommend to someone brand new coming into Yarncom?
Fiber arts are such a personal expression of creativity, so I like to ask what made someone want to learn in the first place.
If they have a really ambitious goal, I’ll absolutely encourage it—but I’ll also recommend projects that help build the skills needed to get there. Big ambitions are wonderful, but working toward them in manageable steps helps create the best experience (and results).
One of our favorite things about Josie is the way she balances creativity, curiosity, and craftsmanship. Whether she’s learning a new fiber art or revisiting an older project, she brings so much passion and thoughtfulness into everything she makes—and we’re lucky to have her as part of the Yarncom community 🧡