Be So Brave with Kristin Omdahl is more than this morning’s inspiration, it’s NEW YARN and Kristin shares it with us on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.
Kristin has been a guest so often we may not really need to hear how she started crocheting and knitting, so we began with how she became a Yarn Company. It’s probably the dream of most knitwear designers to own a yarn company, and for Kristin those dreams came true when our mutual friend, Ron Miskin, of the Buffalo Wool Co, told Kristin about a mill in Texas with the ability to create a bamboo yarn. This became Be So Fine. She made sure the fingering weight yarn had a high yardage (650 yards in the 4 oz skein) and it was suitable for shawls, she even created a collection of patterns that only used one skein each of this yarn.
Next came Be So Sporty, with it’s sportweight bamboo more suitable for garments and is available in 17 colors. She found that it was exactly what Halos of Hope hats could be made of, as it reduces the sensitivity issues many cancer patients face. She even created and donated patterns for the use of Halos knitters and crocheters.
Kristin is just awesome that way, she recently wrote a blog post that shared the various colors that are being used specifically by various charity awareness groups.
She also played with her yarns, doing some hand-dying and just really enjoying being a Yarn Company owner… Be So Wild came from that, she wrapped various yarn in silk thread to create a Super Bulky yarn. It’s a special edition thing, that she posts to her shop when she’s made yarns she thinks we would like, really just having fun with the colors and texture.
Be So Brave is the newest yarn is a worsted weight, has incredible loft, and will felt (NOT superwash). Available in 11 colors, that she spent a great deal of time making sure they coordinate, that the colors meant something (had to tie in to charity) and 100% made in the US. Grown, Shorn, Milled and Dyed with accountability. Creating jobs, promoting clean water, air, renewable energy, being socially responsible — those are not just buzzwords for Kristin, it’s what she wants to offer as her business products. At $10.99 per ball, it’s affordable to be responsible consumers.
Kristin began to play with the creative drawing process called Zentangles. That led, as we’ve heard before on the podcast, to her being approached by a fabric company (even project bags created by Erin.Lane Bags!) and currently her fabric is being offered in retails stores and used in quilting. Also can be found on her website! In fact, if you are a shop owner interested in offering Kristin’s products, yarns, fabrics, the Wrapture Soak …. or if you know a shop that you hope will offer these things, suggest they Contact Kristin for a wholesale account!
With all of this happening, she’s posting often to her YouTube channel. Her goal is short length of time, 2 to 3 minutes, very real and casual, as a platform to answer customer questions or sharing her personal experiences that inspired her to begin Project Kristin Cares. Marly reminds us to Subscribe and ‘Smash The Like Button’ so that YouTube will notice and help promote our favorite videos.
As a single mom to a teenaged tennis enthusiast (she’s been homeschooling him) she’s created an admirable business. Kristin wants us to support our local yarn shops, but many don’t have that available to us. So she offers to wind the skeins at no extra job. She has artistic control, she can give back to our community, she’s attempting to infuse the world with joy and generosity. We at the Yarn Thing podcast support her and will have her back again and again.
Kristin has been a regular guest on the Yarn Thing podcast, because she’s a dear friend and inspiration. Here is the list (very long!) of her visits: March 2009, December 2010, March 2011, February 2012, May 2012, November 2012, June 2013, July 2014, February 2015, March 2016 and May 2016. She can be followed at her website: Kristin Omdahl.com, and the YouTube channel, also, she has a Facebook page, Ravelry Designer page and one for her Yarns, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and for shopping check out THIS LINK. A great way to stay up-to-date is to book mark her what’s new page.
If you missed getting to hear this visit LIVE, it is still available where it aired originally as an archived episode: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2016/10/18/be-so-brave-with-kristin-omdahl or with your favorite podcast catcher like iTunes or Stitcher Radio.
Lorraine Sutherland says
October 18, 2016 at 11:24 amI just love Kristin’s yarn! The colors are gorgeous! I am going to try my hand at the Be So Brave Tunisian Crochet Striped Hat. It’s fantastic! Thanks Marly for another great show!
Joy Baskin says
October 18, 2016 at 11:26 amThere are so many “Brave” boys, girls, men, and women who used their sorrow and experiences to help others. Thank you for helping victim’s of domestic violence.
Lynn Figiel says
October 18, 2016 at 11:31 amJust heard my first podcast featuring Kristen Omdahl. Even though I didn’t win by calling in it was such a great show! Loved hearing about her charity and “BE BRAVE” I’m also a quilter so I’m excited to go browse her fabric line too!
Julie Cohen says
October 18, 2016 at 12:23 pmI love Kristin’s yarns, books and patterns for crochet. She is an amazingly brave and entrepreneurial person!
Christie Hardy says
October 18, 2016 at 1:11 pmThank you for introducing us to your Be So Brave yarn. I have subscribed to your You Tube Channel now, and love your website!
Chris Lopez says
October 18, 2016 at 1:13 pmThis was a wonderful show. It was great to hear about Kristin and the brave strides she is making with her business and the Kristin Cares charity. She is so inspiring and I love her updates on Connecting With Kristin. I hope she goes back to doing them every day.
Katelyn M says
October 18, 2016 at 1:26 pmThanks for having Krisitin on the show today. I enjoyed hearng about her new yarn. Kristin is just amazing with all that she does for herself in her business and for others through her business. It is always enjoyable when she is on the show. Her new yarn, be so brave, sounds to be an amazing compliment to the other yarns in her brand already Thank you for sharing with us.
Lucinda Marks says
October 18, 2016 at 6:32 pmIt was a pleasure to meet and talk with Kristin today. It takes a strong, brave person to step out and do all she has done. I can’t wait to try this yarn and her patterns. It really made my day.
Kathy M. says
October 18, 2016 at 7:02 pmI love the name of your new yarn (Be So Brave). It makes me want to be brave.
I loved the podcast and Kristin business model. I plan on buying some of her yarn. I really appreciate that it is sourced and processed in the United States.
Vivian Isbell says
October 18, 2016 at 8:12 pmKristen is so brave and smart to tackle all of her projects. I like all of her yarns and patterns. I can’t wait to knit with Be So Brave yarn.
Michelle Wulf says
October 18, 2016 at 11:59 pmSo brave in finding her own freedom, I love that she endeavors to help others do the same. Sounds like a lovely line of yarn. <3
Loretta1031 says
October 19, 2016 at 12:44 amAfter listening to your podcast with Kristin back in May, I decided to be brave and try her whipped face cream. I absolutely love it! I’ve suffered from eczema all my life and very rarely do I find a product that doesn’t irritate my skin. Thank you Marley for the podcast that led me to this great product- and thank you Kristin for introducing me to mango butter- I’m a fan! Looking forward to trying the new yarn line. Blessings!
Michelle says
October 19, 2016 at 7:58 amKristin, to me, is a brave woman. A single mom, an entrepreneur, a foundation owner. A truly brave, productive person. Great podcast ladies!
Ida Williamson says
October 19, 2016 at 9:04 amLove the colors to honor all the brave people in our lives. Thank you Kristin! Thanks Marly for another great podcast.
Trisha says
October 19, 2016 at 12:10 pmBrave is as brave does. Thanks for your brave endeavors, Kristin. You’re an inspiration.
Savannagal says
October 19, 2016 at 12:34 pmTo some extent we knitters are all brave. We try new techniques and knit complicated projects, we boldly knit in public, we even cut our knitting! I think we are all brave.
Lori Biamonte says
October 19, 2016 at 12:39 pmWhen my granddaughter was 8, she drew a beautiful picture of a girl riding a dragon that she titled Be Brave. That’s the first thing I thought about when I heard about Kristin’s new yarn. It sounds just lovely and I’m hoping to get my hands on it.
JulieRKnits says
October 20, 2016 at 8:07 amBrave is a wonderful name for a yarn that help with Kristin’s charities!!! What a great interview as always…Kristin is one of my favorites and so enjoy finding out about her new endeavors.
Robin says
October 20, 2016 at 8:15 amKristin’s patterns made me brave enough to try crochet lace so now I want to try out her Be Brave yarn. I love Kristin and Marly’s rapport, it makes a great show
Mary Kay Smith says
October 20, 2016 at 9:05 amKristin has been so brave throughout her yarn career – thanks for the inspiration!
Carol T says
October 20, 2016 at 10:26 amSuch a great podcast. I love the good things that Kristin does. She is so brave and an inspiration to all. Thank you ladies.
Emily says
October 20, 2016 at 10:45 amKristen’s picture on here, she looks amazing!! Your Be Brave colors/yarns are amazing!
Jessica Bennett says
October 20, 2016 at 11:14 amsuch a great show with a great message! it isn’t as difficult to be brave when you hear much about what some go through!
Anne Crawford says
October 20, 2016 at 1:47 pmI am a beginning knitter and am so inspired by listening to Marly and her guests. I can’t wait to try a new project with Kristin’s beautiful BeSo Brave yarn !
Sandi Adkins says
October 20, 2016 at 8:54 pmI have several of Kristens books. She is a wonderful designer. She is so brave to expand her talents.
Laura says
October 21, 2016 at 6:29 amLOVE the colors for Be So Brave! So many bright, happy colors. Thanks for another great show.
Heather K. says
October 21, 2016 at 9:51 amI love listening to Kristen on the podcast. Her Be So Brave line is simply gorgeous! I would live to win some in the Cape Cod colorway!
colleenstorzek@yahoo.com says
October 21, 2016 at 1:06 pmLove to hear about everything Kristen is doing. Her Be So Brave line is appropriately named for such a brave woman =)
Louise Gingery says
October 21, 2016 at 6:22 pmKristen is one brave woman!
Cristy W says
October 22, 2016 at 8:56 amKristen, your yarn is beautiful… and it honors so many brave people with each of the charities represented in the palette. WTG!
Lauren says
October 22, 2016 at 12:30 pmLoved hearing how Kristen is develpoing her new yarn line. And how she is so brave & generous with her expertise and support of charities.
Thank you for this great podcast.
Linda Archibald says
October 23, 2016 at 1:23 amI love people that are brave and step out of their comfort zone, and into a new chapter of their life. Thank you Kristen.
Vicki Lynch says
October 23, 2016 at 10:23 amKristen and Brave are synonymous! You went in to business years ago and have made it work. I love that you are working to make products that are sustainable and made here at home.
Mosaic Magpie says
October 23, 2016 at 6:17 pmI think a woman always dreams of being brave. So encouraging listening to Kristen. I can’t wait to try her new yarn Be So Brave! Even the yarns name is encouraging!
Debbie Austin says
October 23, 2016 at 9:01 pmI really enjoyed this podcast. I am going to Kristin’s website now and check out her “be so brave” colors. I am sure that huckleberry pie is going to be on my must have list!!!
Mary L. says
October 24, 2016 at 2:39 pmI love Kristin’s Be So Brave colorways! They are gorgeous! I really enjoyed this podcast.
Edith Nielsen says
October 25, 2016 at 1:50 amCalling from Denmark. I feel brave too 🙂
I´m a indie designer with baby- and kidstuff as my speciality.
Love listening to Marlys podcast, as I´m knitting row after row.
Have a nice and creative day. Best wishes from Edith
Jackie Watson says
October 25, 2016 at 10:44 amLove Kristin’s Be So Brave campaign! She is multi-talented for sure!
Valerie Kelley says
October 25, 2016 at 4:11 pmI would love to get a skein of Kristin’s year so I could make a hat for Halos of Hope. Then I would know my knitting was helping someone who really knows how to be brave!
Kathy Itson says
October 26, 2016 at 6:40 amJust love the podcast. It sends me all over the internet so I can met many new people who love yarn like I do. Kristin I love the Be So Brave yarn.
Amberly says
October 26, 2016 at 6:07 pmIt’s always amazing to hear from Kristin! I love her new yarn Be So Brave and am excited to try it!
Carmen Nelson says
October 27, 2016 at 8:41 amI love how knitting, crocheting, sewing and general crafting make me muddle through any challenges in life and brave whatever the future may bring. Looking forward to working with all your yarns and looking for your fabrics.
Nina J says
October 27, 2016 at 12:21 pmKristin is inspiring and a brilliant entrepreneur. Am excited to try her new yarn Be So Brave.
Rachel says
October 27, 2016 at 12:24 pmThe new Be So Brave yarn sounds wonderful! I hope I get a chance to design a pattern and knit with it someday.
Nikii Murtaugh says
October 27, 2016 at 7:17 pmAnother great podcast with the Be Brave yarn and Kristin. Yep, looked at her website and am immediately drawn to the lime, orange and flamingo. Call me loud and flashy!
Pam Maher says
October 31, 2016 at 4:55 amEverytime Kristin is on Marly’s show, I am amazed with everything she does! You are a brave business woman and inspiring. Thank you for being so generous!
Suzanne says
October 31, 2016 at 7:40 pmKristin is a brave entrepreneur with a big heart. I knew it before but with every podcast I discover more reasons why and how.
Rosanne Oggoian-Donnellan says
November 2, 2016 at 10:25 amI want to thank Kristin for honoring the brave women and men survivors. Her bamboo yarn will be my go-to choice when I knit my next hat for Halos of Hope. Cheers!
amy says
November 3, 2016 at 6:06 pmIt takes a lot of courage to Be So Brave. Thanks for encouraging all of us.
Jill H. says
November 3, 2016 at 8:20 pmI’m amazed at all that Kristin does. Would love to try her yarn, especially Be So Brave.
MaryPat says
November 8, 2016 at 6:42 amHi Kristin love your Be SO BRAVE YARN and what you do for domestic violence. GO GIRL!!
Ramona says
November 15, 2016 at 10:40 amI’ve heard Kristin several times on the show and always enjoy it. I love the idea behind the be so brave yarn!
Geraldine Scott says
November 20, 2016 at 5:58 pmBe So Brave yarn has such a lovely palette…hard to choose just one!