Handbasket Yarn and Fiber is owned by, Holly McConnell and located in Arlington, VA.
Experience:
Holly started spinning and hand dying fiber about ten years ago because it seemed so much cheaper then buying yarn. Anyone who has been in this business for more then a bit will now laugh and nod their head knowingly. For years people had been encouraging her to sell her yarn, eventually she did and here we all are.
Business Practices:
When possible Holly buys locally. When she cannot buy local she buys, without exception, from small farms as it’s important to her to support and encourage small business. The yarn you buy came from someone’s well tended and loved fiber animal as humane husbandry is the first priority when Holly selects a fleece. Many of her fleeces come from animal sanctuaries and second chance farms. In other words, you can feel good about this purchase from start to finish.
Process:
Holly’s yarn starts out as raw fleece and is processed (skirted, washed and carded) by herself. The fiber is then left as is or hand dyed using wash fast acid dyes. Usually further blending with other fibers takes place and then it is spun by Holly on one of her three wheels. The yarn is then washed and rinsed and set to dry, twisted and tagged, and taken to market!