A self-proclaimed lifelong crafter and Coloradan, Bethany Evans-Brown first started knitting when she was just 11 years old. She first learned at a summer library program, but it was a stint in her husband’s native New Zealand that led to a deeper knowledge of and appreciation for the yarn-making process that eventually led her to create Woolberry Fiber Co in 2016.
Her mother in law has been knitting and spinning since Bethany’s husband, Rhys, was little, thanks in part to the abundance of sheep, and therefore wool, in New Zealand. She gave Bethany a spinning wheel and a massive weaving loom, and that was how Bethany discovered that she really enjoyed the process of creating yarn.
Once they were back in the US, Bethany set up shop in her parent’s basement and began dying yarn. Her father was her first customer, as he loves to remind her. One day, he came down with a wad of cash and asked to buy yarn for her sister, and from there, the business truly began.
Now, they have a warehouse in Erie and a team of people to help them with the seasonal, hand-dyed color palettes, as well as the other projects that Bethany has used to cultivate community within her customer base.
“Knitting can be a very lonely craft if you don’t have community,” says Bethany.
In addition to yarn boxes and make-alongs, there are themed book boxes, complete with a surprise book, matching yarn for a project, and two or three items that also tie into the reading. There’s also a Discord channel, so knitters can swap tips and even leftover yarn. There are even in-person groups that have formed in other parts of the country, like a group in Michigan that met through Woolberry and realized they all lived within 20 minutes of each other.
Woolberry is part of a massive tide of people choosing to support small businesses. Their fans know exactly where the materials are coming from and where the profits are going.
In this case, all their wool is sourced from South America, and their suppliers work closely with farms and mills to ensure that both the workers and animals are treated respectfully. They’ve made a conscious choice not to use natural dyes and instead use nontoxic acid dyes that deplete less resources and don’t pollute the water supply. Their EcoEnclose packaging is recyclable and reusable, and they recycle water in their dying process to help reduce waste.
The profits give the Evans-Brown family flexibility to raise their family and take vacations without asking for PTO—and 5% of all purchases placed on their website go to Charity: Water and Handspun Home. In addition to these global charities, she and her family also give back to There With Care, a group that supports families and children during the critical phase of a medical crisis.
“I love to create, and I love community,” says Bethany, “But volunteering is our purpose.”
She recognizes the power of knitting and color to help people through difficult times. In addition to the meditative power of working with your hands, there’s a lot of comfort in creating a piece in memory of someone who has passed or for a friend, family member, or perfect stranger going through a hard time.
This month, Woolberry has a heritage collection with untouched wool from Rambouillet, Llama, and Yak. There’s also a mauve sweater club for those interested in knitting along with a group.
To learn more, visit WoolberryFiber.com