About

Thanks to a layoff; I was able to start my new venture “Prairie House Yarns & Fibers”. It has always been my dream to live each day being creative and doing what I  love best, which is dyeing, spinning, knitting and sewing. Oh, and don’t let me forget  the tap dancing, cooking,gardening, and caring for our animals.
I would like to thank my husband Keith, and my friends Binnie and Janice for all of their support and encouragement in this new venture.

Jody

How color and fiber began:

In the 70’s I worked for Danskin as a color coordinator. The designer would make the initial color choice and then it was my responsibility to ensure that the dye houses developed a matching swatch for all the different fabrics and trims. During this time I attended numerous dyeing seminars.  Also at this time,  I was working on perfecting my sewing skills by working with a friend who is a  pattern maker.  We would make our own tailored suits for work.  This was a time of learning and growth at Danskin, but after 11 years I opted for a voluntary layoff to complete my college education.

I’ve always been an animal lover, so my venture into raising Angora rabbits was a natural.  With an abundance of wonderful fiber,  learning how to spin was the next step.  One of our greatest resources here in central PA is the  Mannings Handweaving School in East Berlin, where I learned how to spin and weave. While attending the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival,  I saw, for the very first time, a kid Angora goat and  knew at that moment it would be going home with me (well actually two of them).  So it began, and now 25 years later we still have angora goats, and have added sheep, alpacas, horses, dogs and cats.

Over the past twenty five years I have been dyeing and spinning all types of yarns.  In the past,  my yarns, fibers and roving were offered through trade shows such as Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool Festival, New Jersey Sheep & Wool Festival, and Knitters Day Out (under the farm name “Stone Mountain Farm”).

I am currently working on several dyeing and sewing projects that I’ll share with you through my blog. My current goal is to offer  you my hand spun/hand dyed yarns and fibers through the internet.  I hope you enjoy my yarns and fibers as much as I enjoy creating them.

Contact

Follow @DyeingDiva