Middlearthknitter Yarns
If you happen to be wandering in the Scottish Borders you may be lucky enough to stumble across the farmhouse which is home to Middlearthknitter Yarns. Run by Cairi Ross, with a little help from her boys, Middlearthknitter Yarns is an artisan hand-dyeing business providing yarns and accessories for the discerning knitter.
Cairi stumbled into the dyeing trade almost by accident. Curious to try techniques she read about on internet forums she began with some Kool-aid and loved the process so much she was soon experimenting with acid dyes and, in her own words, ‘playing around with colours’ and creating a palette which was uniquely her own.
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Cairi sells exclusively through Etsy at the moment but hopes to expand the business later to incorporate an independent shop site. A wide range of quality yarns is available and stock changes regularly as Cairi explores colour and technique. |
I spoke with Cairi about how far the business has come in just ten short months. “I started in a very small way,” she says, “it was a gamble and thankfully it paid off.” The important thing, she tells me, is to keep things new and fresh. Keeping on top of the market is crucial in a small niche business and Cairi maintains a close relationship with her customers, welcoming custom orders, comments and ideas. “I ask people what they would like to see,” she states simply.
It’s not all just playing around with colour and yarn though. Cairi briefly outlined for me the hard work that goes on behind the scenes in a small artisan business. “It’s not simply about your product,” she explains, “you have to keep an eye on stock, finances, packing and shipping, and the biggest and hardest part, advertising.”
| In spite of all that, Cairi finds the work immensely rewarding and satisfying. As a young mum it is important to her to feel independent and to be making a contribution to the household. She strongly encourages others who are thinking of starting up a small business but warns, “There’s no room to sit and relax. To be successful you have to put 110% into it to see results.” |  |
What is in store for Middlearthknitter Yarns in the future? Cairi is excited about the rise of Ravelry and the explosion in the online fibre community. “It helps sellers such as myself keep bang up to date with what people want. There is such huge diversity and it’s a case of keeping in touch with all of it.” Keeping in touch has never been easier for vendors; if Cairi maintains the energy and dedication she has displayed so far then Middlearthknitter Yarns will see continued success.
More Middlearth Knitting
Inside Loop readers can enjoy a special offer from the Middlearthknitter Yarns Etsy store until this issue closes on 20 May 2008. Enter the code “LOOPY” at checkout to receive a 15% discount.
Check out the Jules sock pattern in this issue. It uses Middlearthknitter superwash merino sock yarn.
Visit Cairi’s Etsy store or read her blog here.