Jaala Spiro, Knit Circus’ Master of Ceremonies, joined the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird for a after TNNA (The National Needlearts Assoc) visit!
Jaala learned to crochet when she was young, and didn’t pick up anymore ‘yarn art’ until as a grown-up she went with a friend to The Knitting Tree (a local yarn store) and took a class in something she hoped would be do-able around toddlers. She says she never stopped.
She had been knitting for three years, mastered the basics, when she had a design published in Knitty. (I’m looking for the link to that first pattern…) Later she began an independent magazine, when ‘art-zines’ were big. When Jaala had to stop the magazine, they had 120,000 readers. They were the first to publish Hunter Hammersen, among many others.
Jaala still wanted to pursue a career in fiber world, and had a personal love of self-striping yarns, so she began an Etsy store. After a while, rather than guess what a customer might want, she began custom dying.
A big part of a discussion with a yarn dyer is about bases. Jaala says she uses acid dyes and merino base wool. To get the color saturation she likes, she likes about 70% wool. Silk has been intriguing but does not absorb the color like wool. She likes fingering weight, it sells the best perhaps for shawls or socks and she carries FIVE different fingering bases: The Greatest of Ease, a Superwash Merino and Nylon blend. Opulence is Superwash Merino, Cashmere, Nylon blend. Pixie Dust is Superwash Merino, Silk, Nylon and Silver Poly (for sparkle). Most of their wools come from the US or UK. 
Marly asked about skeins vs cakes of yarn, Jaala says the skeins are easier for shipping, but the cakes make it easier to see how the yarn gradients flow, which is true if you look at her Core Collection. Last fall, KnitCircus introduced the striped sock collections and became really popular over the holiday season. She began the KnitCircus podcast with Amy Detjen, episodes now numbering in the 50’s. With all of this going on, the basement of her house was no longer working productively. Her 13-year-old daughter suggested after attending Yarn Con that perhaps a yarn store would work better. (She sounds very smart, like her mother!) Jaala found another space for a studio that has separate rooms for classrooms, and began a kickstarter campaign to get the help she needed. The surprise was how quickly the help came!
The move to the big new space is happening TODAY. Jaala says “I’m so glad I got to talk to you today, because there is never going to be another day like it!”
Jaala says they are not ready for wholesale yet, mostly focusing on getting yarn into the knitter’s hands. Currently KnitCircus yarn can be found online, some trunk shows and trade shows, which is where Jaala gets to hear in person what people like or dislike about her yarns. For instance at TNNA, Marly Bird’s Designer Dinner had goodie bags where each person got a skein of KnitCircus yarn. However, Jaala was drooling over the Erin.Lane Bag that was included and didn’t hear any of that!
Next up, KnitCircus is doing a KAL with designer Anna Dalvi. Her shawl design in the KnitCircus yarn reminded Anna of the Swedish story of Lieutenant’s Heart. This yarn is a dip-dye and has a beautiful coloration and is available as a kit.
Jaala has become enthralled with speckled yarns, so watch for those to become super popular, too! Doesn’t speckles and sparkles sound like a natural fit for KnitCircus?
If you missed getting to hear all this fun LIVE, you can catch it in the Archive here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2015/06/02/jaala-spiro-knit-circus or in iTunes.
Audrey says
June 2, 2015 at 12:43 pmJaali, Knit Circus has beautiful yarns and designs. You are certainly the Stripe Maven!
Judy B says
June 2, 2015 at 1:34 pmI so enjoyed today’s podcast. Makes me want to drive over to Madison, WI to the shops mentioned today. And, who knows, maybe I will get to meet the talented Stripe Maven Jaali! All of the yarn in your shop is beautiful.
JudyAnn says
June 2, 2015 at 3:49 pmJaala, you are the best Stripe Maven anywhere! I so love all your gradient yarns!
DeeSadie says
June 2, 2015 at 5:49 pmI have been searching for all kinds of projects with gradients and stripes since listening to the podcast this morning. Stripe maven indeed!
Linda says
June 2, 2015 at 6:40 pmLoved listening to Marly and Jaala, the Stripe Maven today.
Lmecoll on Ravelry
Anita Dodds says
June 2, 2015 at 11:00 pmWhat a wonderful interview with Jaala. Her gradient striped yarns are the prettiest stripes I have ever seen. The Stripe Maven deserves her success!
hotknitter says
June 3, 2015 at 12:08 amI do so love your gradient striped yarns. Gorgeous. They scream beautiful shawls to me. You’re definitely the Stripe Maven.
Larry Edman says
June 3, 2015 at 1:25 amThe Stripe Maven reigns supreme!
Vicki Lynch says
June 3, 2015 at 6:06 amYour striped and gradient yarns are so pretty! It might be time for some stash enhancement. Marly-thanks again for another enjoyable interview to keep me company while walking the dogs and driving to work. I look forward to your shows.
Greg says
June 3, 2015 at 6:35 amI have been a fan of Jaala and KnitCircus for some time now, and was thrilled when I heard she was going to be a guest on YarnThing. As always, Marly, this was an enjoyable and informative interview. When I first started knitting, I had no appreciation for gradients and stripes, but I fell in love with them when I first heard about and saw KnitCircus yarns. When the gradient stripe line came out last year, I would just stare at them over and over, in awe — Jaala is truly the Stripe Maven. It was so cool to hear about y’alls adventures at TNNA, and I think Marly owes us all a rendition of “Let It Go” on the podcast at some point.
— KnittingDaddy Greg
Jackie says
June 3, 2015 at 6:45 amI love listening to the interview with Jaala and Marly. I gave to the Kickstart program for Jaala who is the Stripe Maven. Always enjoy you too Marly.
Elise Thomasset says
June 3, 2015 at 7:35 amThank you for another great interview. I knit my first pair of socks this year and fell in love with stripes. The Knit Circus yarns are beautiful! I could easily become a Stripe Maven!
SallyFromIdaho on rav says
June 3, 2015 at 8:06 amI want to be a stripe maven!
Bonnie Jane Peterson says
June 3, 2015 at 9:03 amThank you, thank you! So happy about hearing this interview with Jaala. I have read and heard but am now seeing such a Strip Maven Indeed!
Mary L. says
June 3, 2015 at 9:25 amVery informative interview! Stripes are the best!! Good luck to the Stripe Maven. I would LOVE to visit her new store/studio!
SandraR says
June 3, 2015 at 11:20 amI think I would like to become a stripe maven! Great podcast as usual.
kathy b. says
June 3, 2015 at 3:21 pmMarly, thanks for another great podcast. Jaala’s journey to her new venture was very interesting. How can an indie dyer that focuses on stripes go wrong? Her website beautifully shows off the yarns.
Mary Anne Cox says
June 3, 2015 at 6:05 pmSo fun to listen to your interview with Marly. Easy to understand why you are the Stripe Maven!!
Susan Crosby says
June 3, 2015 at 8:31 pmI’ve listened to the Knit Circus podcast for awhile and loved hearing more from Jaala. If she’s the Stripe Maven, what’s Amy’s title?
Kate says
June 4, 2015 at 5:22 amIt was really interesting to hear from the Stripe Maven, Jaala, about the success of her business!
Ruthie says
June 4, 2015 at 6:50 amThanks for the interview with the Stripe Maven. I absolutely love the striped yarn, and the pixie dust is so cool! I would love to try it.
Nancy in Chickasaw Country says
June 4, 2015 at 7:50 amA maven is “someone who is dazzlingly skilled”. No one does stripes like Jaala. She truly is a Stripe Maven. I feel in love with Jaala’s interpretation of color on yarn several years ago and proudly have some of her yarn. I currently am pondering the project for my first cake of gradient yarn. Marly & Jaala, thanks for a delightfully interesting podcast. You gals rock1
Heather S. says
June 4, 2015 at 9:02 amI’ve been obsessed with stripes lately. You are certainly a stripe maven!
Deborah Schmuker says
June 4, 2015 at 9:04 amReally enjoyed the podcast. It’s always interesting to hear peoples stories of how they evolved into what they are now. The stripes (and the maven) are awesome and look like so much fun to knit.
jrouton says
June 4, 2015 at 9:43 amWhat an impressive interview with Jaala!!! I am so addicted to yarn that is striped. What fun I have even supported the Kickstarter! So looking forward to seeing more from KC.
Carol says
June 4, 2015 at 9:56 amA great podcast today. I couldn’t listen live because of work, boo! Would love to try Knit Circus yarn. It was fun to listen to Jaala, who is totally the Stripe Maven. Thanks for a great show.
Sally says
June 4, 2015 at 4:53 pmAnother fun podcast. I’d like to plan a trip to WI just to visit their new shop! Jaala is truly the Stripe Maven, and I need to go look at the speckled yarns too.
Martha Donley says
June 4, 2015 at 5:43 pmloved listening to the podcast. I also love the KAL shawl, might have to join that one. Jaala, I love that you are a stripe maven
Lisa Nixon says
June 4, 2015 at 5:43 pmI’ve yet to hear a Marly podcast that just did not light my fire. This podcast with Jaala was fantastic – especially considering that she was talking on the day that they were moving her business. She is definitely a stripe maven!
Kim wilkinson says
June 4, 2015 at 10:43 pmI love Jaali and her podcast. I hope to get her yarn. I love stripes.
Adrian says
June 5, 2015 at 7:18 amGreat show! It was great to hear from the Striped Maven. 😀
Louise Gingery says
June 5, 2015 at 1:29 pmI so admire the magic the Stripe Maven, Jaali creates. Thanks for another great podcast.
judiserrato says
June 6, 2015 at 4:25 pmI’m dying to try this yarn and turn myself into a Stripe Maven 🙂
Michelle says
June 7, 2015 at 8:04 amI would love to try Jaali’s yarn. It sounds like she puts so much love and joy into her product. Using it could turn me into a stripe maven for sure!
Lisa Sauer says
June 7, 2015 at 8:32 pmI have long been an admirer of Jaala and Knitcircus. I was pleased to support the Stripe Maven in her Kickstarter campaign and hope it’s the start to many exciting things to come!
Malinda Pelham says
June 9, 2015 at 7:11 amStripe Mavin Jaala dyes the most beautiful striped sock yarn. Fun listening to 2 talented fiber artest talking about a craft we love.
Suzanne says
June 9, 2015 at 7:24 amI think Jaala has a special talent for dyeing yarn and has truly earned the title Stripe Maven. I wish her all the luck in her new space!
Lori Biamonte says
June 9, 2015 at 9:16 amI love the surprising stripes of gradient yarn and called also be called a Stripe Maven.
Michele Byars says
June 9, 2015 at 9:53 amYou have definitely earned the title Stripe Maven! Your yarn dyeing skills are phenomenal and you make my favorite yarn in the industry. Congrats on the new studio space!
Renee says
June 9, 2015 at 10:27 amLove the gradient yarns of Jaala! I hope I can learn to be a Stripe Maven like her!
Emily Horacek says
June 9, 2015 at 10:32 amIt takes a real stripe maven to make such beautiful striped yarn.
Kate M says
June 9, 2015 at 3:43 pmThanks for another great show. I loved hearing all about the striped maven! I hope they had a great move in day and best of luck with their new place. Thanks for introducing us to another great yarn provider!
Susanne Kyre says
June 10, 2015 at 8:46 amI love the gradient striped yarns Jaala creates, pure genius, she’s the Stripe Maven.
Laura Griesmer says
June 10, 2015 at 12:41 pmThanks for introducing me to knitcircus and stripe mavens Jaala.
Penny Bowen says
June 11, 2015 at 8:39 amLove all the stripe mavens yarn . Jakayla is great at dying beautiful yarn love the podcast.
Kate M says
June 12, 2015 at 2:08 pmThanks for another great show. It was great to hear from the Striped Maven! I hadn’t heard about this yarn before so I am very excited to pick some out for my next project!
Mel C. says
June 18, 2015 at 10:44 amLooking at her books , I love the colors! Have to have some of the Striped Maven’s yarn!