Trip to NYC: A Peek Inside the Lion Brand Yarn Offices & Studio

One of the first stops on my trip to NYC was the Lion Brand Yarn Studio , a place that wasn’t around back when we lived in the city.  I’ve always liked Lion Brand yarn, but now I’m in love with the yarn and the company and have the badge to prove it.

The Lion Brand Studio is one part yarn store, one part teaching space and one part fiber arts lovers hang out.  Inspiration starts with the amazing window displays and meets you around every corner one you’ve entered the studio. If you’re ever in NYC, it’s definitely worth a visit (couple it with a trip to the awesome Union Square Farmers Market).

The yarn sampling wall and container full of hook and needles, begs you to slow down your shopping experience and sit and crochet a while.  I fell in love with the LB Collection yarns. Wool Stainless Steel?  Silk Mohair? Cotton Bamboo? Baby Alpaca?  Angora Merino? Yes please.

The lit wall of yarn is so beautiful, it makes you wonder if you’ll ever buy yarn at a chain craft store ever again.

After a tour of the studio, a few lucky bloggers (Allison from Petit Elefant, Kristy (my BFF) from Glass Posse, Marie from Make and Takes and Haley from Zen of Making) and I were invited upstairs to the Lion Brand offices for a special sneak peak into the 130 year old, family owned yarn company.

We met one of the many, wonderful, retired window displays. I couldn’t help but run my fingers through that wild yarn mane

Chatting with the CEO, David Blumenthal, was amazing (even though we gave him a hard time about not knowing how to knit or crochet) but even more amazing was this knitted piece of art hanging on his office wall.

(check out more details HERE)

When we walked into the Design Department, the first thing I noticed was that it was so CLEAN.  MY creative process is not clean, so mentioned how surprised I was to see it that way. Turns out, the CEO made them “clean up” to get ready for our arrival.  It was kind of a bummer since I love to witness the creative process, mess and all. I find it fascinating.

How’d they know a group of craft bloggers would love a fun, little hands-on craft project? 😉  I can’t wait to share the technique I learned for DIY self-striping yarn once I get it all finished up.

A few more things I learned (and love) during my afternoon/evening spent with Lion Brand Yarn:

1. they work with emerging designers all over the word, inspiring amazing one-of-a-kind knit fashion

2.  a portion of the proceeds Vanna’s Choice Yarn goes to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. If I remember correctly, they will hit 1 million dollars in donations this year.

3. I am most likely on my way to becoming a yarn hoarder (I am about ready to burst with excitement from the inspiring bag of yarn I brought home)

Thanks Lion Brand for an amazing afternoon and evening full of fiber arts, crafty friends, and inspiring information!