Weavers, spinners, fiber artists and crafters appreciate the colorful multitude of soft yarns, tools and books that are the stock-in-trade of “A Weaver’s Yarn,” which also offers workshops, advice and storytelling.
What happens when a spinner/knitter meets and marries a weaver of both tapestries and stories? A Weaver’s Yarn happened after Susan and Martin Miller wed and joined creative forces and, in 2003, opened this specialty shop which is also a gathering place for artists interested in yarns, looms, spinning wheels and fibers of many kinds.
“We think of ourselves as Fairbanks Fiber Crisis Line,” says Susan Miller, “since we give moral support over the phone, and advice about whether something needs to be ripped back or not.” And of course, during workshops or at other spontaneous times, storyteller Martin Miller spins yarns in more ways than one.
Right from the start, A Weaver’s Yarn had an enthusiastic customer pool, many of whom were informed of the shop’s opening through an underwriting presence on KUAC. “We basically had a crowd waiting for us when we opened our doors,” Susan notes, after their first month of underwriting. KUAC has been pleased to acknowledge A Weaver’s Yarn’s perennial support during Postcards on KUAC 89.9 FM, airing Sundays at 6 p.m., as well as on Knitting Daily, on Alaska One every Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Recently the shop began picking up locally dyed fibers for spinning, and Susan hopes to do more as the sheep herds begin to grow. She notes, “Business is steady all year round, but picks up in winter when many gardeners have more time on their hands, and then again in summer when the dog mushers aren’t busy, plus with people who spend a lot of time in the field doing research, and other remote areas, the seasons balance out.”
Located off College Road at 1810 Alaska Way, A Weaver’s Yarn is open Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and by appointment. More information is on their website.
