Dog House Yarns & More

Yarn, gifts, and accessories for the knitter, crocheter, and spinner

 
About Dog House Yarns and More
       Our lives are run by two Jack Russell Terriers who firmly believe that our home is just one big happy dog house, so it seemed natural to name our shop Dog House Yarns.  But, the name didn't convey the fact that we also offer a few unique and useful gift items. Although we're primarily a yarn shop catering to the needs of knitters, crocheters, and spinners, our shop also features a selection of Virginia-made pottery, beautiful handmade jewelry, and our Piedmont Word Bowls.  That's why we became Dog House Yarns and More.


Rosanne

How We Got Here

      I have vague memories of learning to crochet when we still lived in the city, so I know my introduction to this craft dates back to before I was six-years-old.  My mother taught me and I remember having fun with it, but her bigger projects like the colorful afghan my father or I would nap under had been created long before I was born.

     When I hear wonderful stories from today's knitters and crocheters about how they learned and perfected their skills under the watchful eyes of mothers and grandmothers, I'm a little sad that my mother and I didn't spend more time together learning about yarns and special stitches.  

      I lost interest in crocheting when my attention turned to horses so it was decades later before I discovered the Continental style of knitting.  I'd tried knitting when I was a child and I hated it.  I don't remember if I couldn't get the hang of it, or if it was like piano lessons and I just didn't want to do it, but something finally "clicked" with the Continental method and I've been knitting ever since.   Who'd have thought that an adventuresome former newspaper reporter, photographer, and Firefighter/EMT would end up owning a yarn shop?

     I now spend my days helping others select yarns and learn to knit and crochet.  I even do a little spinning when I have time.  And, I've become a webmaster, event and class organizer, accountant, marketing specialist, inventory clerk, and all those other endless tasks that it takes to run a yarn shop. 

     If you'd like to find out what knitting and crocheting are all about, or if you're an accomplished crafter interested in adding more scrumptious yarns to your stash, come by and visit us.  Sign up for a class, browse the shop, or sit with us for a while.  You're always welcome.
  Our Team
Fritz
     A civil engineer by trade, Fritz has been helping out more and more with the shop.  He'd probably rather be home with the dogs or out playing golf, but he'll happily help with your yarn selection. Many of the men who visit the shop with wives, relatives or friends have appreciated having him around.  "I've never had anyone to talk to before while I waited in a yarn shop," one gentleman told us happily as he left the shop. Fritz is also a pilot and you may have seen some of his aerial photography hanging in offices around the town.
Mary

     Our newest addition to the staff is Mary of By Hand With Heart knitwear designs.  Those of you who attended the 2011 spring knitting retreat met Mary when she was our featured speaker.  In addition to being an avid knitter and the designer of two dozen knitwear patterns, Mary has written several books including Great Yarns for the Close-Knit Family. She also writes knitting and crafting columns for various publications, reviews knitting books and other related items on her blog, and is the main writer of the items on our Dog House Yarns blog..
Chan
     Chan is the talented knitter and crocheter who teaches some of our intermediate knitting classes.  She keeps her fingers on the pulse of what's new and popular in the world of fiber arts through her connections with bloggers around the country and even a few around the world. She is currently on track to be the next president of the Junior League of Charlottesville so her life is a whirlwind of activity right now. 
Meg
     After retiring from a career with the county government's building department, Meg discovered she has a talent for many creative endeavors. Look above one of the doorways in the classroom and you'll find the cutest grouping of dog art that she painted (sorry, it's all ours).  An enthusiastic crocheter and budding knitter, Meg helps out at the register from time to time.
Donna
     A former history teacher and school administrator, Donna learned to knit at age 10 under the guidance of her mother.  Her favorite projects include socks and sweaters although she can make just about anything.  Donna says that she is never far from her knitting and she loves having a yarn shop only a few blocks from her home.
We are also fortunate to have Leslie, Pattie, and Donna, three of our knit night regulars, who often answer questions or help with customer yarn selections whenever they're in the shop.
  Our Four-Footed Team
Roscoe
      At 15, Roscoe is the senior member of our canine staff.  He is responsible for supervising his mother's knitting and crocheting.  He's so interested in her work that he sometimes has to be forcibly removed from on top of her yarn or under her arm.  When he's not supervising, he can be found barking (and barking and barking) at bunnies and squirrels or chasing a neighbor's car.  Roscoe is deaf now, but at least he no longer hears most of the thunderstorms that previously terrified him in the summers.
Mosby
     When he's not napping like a cat on the back of a chair or sofa, Mosby used to be out soaking up some lovin' at his part-time job with Waggin' Hearts Therapy Dogs.  He still visits when he can but he's rather miffed that his visits have been reduced since his mother has been so busy with the yarn shop.  Riding in style in his red stroller, Mosby sees his friends at an assisted living facility in Culpeper and a nursing home in Madison as much as he can.  He's let his popularity go to his head and he spends much of his time-off trying to remain the center of attention.   He also occasionally does some modeling when his mother needs a way to display a new scarf or other small handmade item.
In Memory of Riley Winston, 1996-2004