A River Of Yarn
A River Of Yarn is a Canadian craft store and local Ontario shop based in Keene. They carry a lot of different brands for yarn and knitting supplies. Scroll down to learn more about A River Of Yarn and what their best selling product is.
What inspired you to start your business?
I knew I was going to be retiring as a full-time Family Studies educator of 30 years and wanted a ‘retirement’ business to keep me busy, active and fulfilled. As a knitter and crocheter, I could not find the yarns that I was looking for, so I started my own business so that I could order what I was wanting. Also, the fibre crafts of knitting & crochet have helped me navigate through a very difficult time in my life. I wanted to be able to offer this healing experience to others through my business. We try to do this by offering in-person workshops, classes and drop-in sessions at the studio throughout the year.
How would you describe your business?
A River of Yarn is an online store and in-person studio that specializes in hand knitting & crochet yarns, patterns, tools and accessories. We are located on one of Canada’s National Historic Sites, the Trent Severn Waterway. We carry luxury yarns at affordable prices. Many yarns are unique and hard to find anywhere else. We offer many workshops and basic lessons are a regular part of the business. You will find the owner, Tracy Minnema, as a vendor and instructor at various fibre festivals throughout the summer around Ontario.
What’s your bestselling product?
Currently the best selling product is from Germany, and they are the Addi FlexiFlip double point knitting needles.
Why do you think it’s so popular?
Addi FlexiFlips are hard to find here in Canada. We are one of a few places that carry them. These needles are specially designed needles that rest comfortably in the hand, and act as flexible double pointed needles. Easy to use, stitches are simply distributed over two needles, and then knit with the third – resulting in only two needle changes per row. They are available in both metal and bamboo in two lengths, 8″ & 10″, and feature both an addi® Rocket tip and an addi Turbo® tip.
What’s your personal favourite product from your shop?
To celebrate 10 years in business I designed a River Landscape Blanket pattern that is being offered as a kit and an individual pattern. The pattern represents the Otonabee River that we are located on with pebbles, sand, waves, rain, and the clouds following the rain. It is a rustic design using a 100% recycled tweed blend yarn called Loveful by Sirdar. I love this because it is the representation of the time, location, and type of business that A River of Yarn is.
What’s your favourite local Ontario business?
Wild Rock Outfitters as well as any local women owned & operated business.
