Stash Podcast, Sonia Ruyts and the Yarn Story Collection
Sonia Ruyts is the founder and creative director of Stash, a brick and mortar yarn shop in Corvallis, OR. As an influencer in the creative community, her mission is to empower others to make time for themselves and to take risks in their creative explorations. Sonia is also the host of The Stash Podcast: Creative Conversations with Makers & Doers where she interviews inspiring people in the creative community.
In 2016 Stash embarked on an ambitious yearlong project: The Yarn Story Collection. This collection was a way to showcase the stories behind some of the most talented and passionate makers in the yarn industry today. It was a way to bring you their stories through one of a kind yarn. Sonia says, “I’m a dreamer and as such I have a lot of ideas for big projects. Some stay ideas, close to my heart and others quickly take on a life of their own. Something about the yarn story idea wouldn’t let me go, and I had to see what would happen. Before I knew it, I was making a list of dream dyers I wanted to work with. It was tough to narrow it down to just 12 – we are living in a golden age of yarn and are certainly spoiled for choice!”
In the end, we partnered with 12 incredible yarn artisans. We worked together to create custom colorways and to share their stories with you. In this all-new ebook, you will be treated to stunning full-color photography, stories, and interviews with the 12 makers who participated in the 2016 Yarn Story Collection. Inside you’ll find interviews with the incredible women behind: Hazel Knits, Spincycle Yarns, The Lemonade Shop, Black Trillium, Republic of Wool, Sunrise Fiber Co., The Neighborhood Fiber Company, Bumblebirch, Huckleberry Knits, Knit Collage, SweetGeorgia Yarns and The Fiber Seed.
If you missed getting to see this live, the video is still on Marly’s Facebook page and the audio is archived as a podcast episode: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing/2017/05/25/stash-podcast-sonia-ruyts-and-the-yarn-story-collection
Tammy Anderson says
May 25, 2017 at 10:44 amA lovely “story”. . So much lovely yarn in the world. It is nice to see new stuff, and all the wonderful things that are made with it. I love to do many things with yarn, not saying I am good at them all. lol.
Valerie Mizgalski says
May 25, 2017 at 10:46 amI totally enjoyed your story about collecting stories! I love using beautiful yarns that have a story!
Robin B. says
May 25, 2017 at 10:55 amI am such a podcast junkie I’m excited to listen to another one. Sonia Ruyts, The Yarn Story Collection sounds like something I will really enjoy. Thanks for having her on the MarlyBird Yarn Thing podcast.
Cheryl Clemons says
May 25, 2017 at 1:46 pmI really enjoyed listening to your story about how you choose yarns for your shop. I love trying new yarns. Great podcast!!
Chris Lopez says
May 25, 2017 at 1:52 pmReally enjoyed hearing Sonia’s story. The book looks wonderful and I’d love to visit Stash.
Susan Oeltjen says
May 25, 2017 at 2:39 pmWonderful podcast today. Sonia has an interesting and inspiring story. I would love to visit her shop and touch all the yarn. It sounds like a great place.
Betty says
May 25, 2017 at 3:12 pmListened to the podcast while vacuuming the house. Great story to make the task less tedious!
Lisa Doherty says
May 25, 2017 at 3:24 pmExcited to learn about Stash and to hear Sonia’s story. Must check out her podcast, too!
Nancy Johnson says
May 25, 2017 at 4:01 pmWondering how I can make it to Oregon and your store to learn more about the yarns in your shop and yield stories behind them.
bookskt19 says
May 25, 2017 at 9:38 pmI love hearing the different stories of everyone of how they got into dying, knitting or crocheting=they’re always so interesting! Great story today!
Rhonda says
May 25, 2017 at 10:36 pmI loved hearing about Sonia’s yarn story and how Stash came to be; it sounds like a fantastic store and I wish I could visit. I totally checked out the website already! The 2016 yarn story collection book sounds so inspiring!
Lisa Doherty says
May 25, 2017 at 10:54 pmI so enjoyed hearing about Stash and the yarn stories and Sonia’s story. Must check our her podcast, too!
Theresa says
May 26, 2017 at 4:18 amLoved hearing the story of Stash today. Love hearing from yarn shop owners.
Staci Lockman says
May 26, 2017 at 8:31 amIt was interesting to hear Stash owner Sonia’s story. I love a good curated yarn shop and hope to visit!
Kim Landy says
May 26, 2017 at 8:44 amStories are the fabric of our lives and it is great to hear these. Sonia thank for your story! I cant wait to visit your shop.
Danielle Boots says
May 26, 2017 at 8:49 amEveryone’s knitting story is interesting to learn. I love the commitment of people like Sonya from “Stash” who persevere in an uncertain climate. Without people like you the world would be a lot less interesting. Thank you.
Markie T. says
May 26, 2017 at 9:47 amI enjoyed listening to the story of Sonia’s store Stash. What a terrific name!
Cindy says
May 26, 2017 at 10:31 amLoved the podcast. Sonia’s story of her store Stash was so interesting. What a courageous gal.
Lori says
May 26, 2017 at 11:13 amI have enjoyed shopping at Sonia’s store while visiting my daughter who goes to school in Corvallis. It is a lovely store! I loved hearing Sonia’s story, which makes me love the store even more!
Linda says
May 26, 2017 at 11:16 amSonia’s book sounds fabulous! I’m interesting in reading the story of each of the 12 makers who participated in the “2016 Yarn Story Collection.”
carri lindsay says
May 26, 2017 at 1:38 pmLove that each yarn has a story. This is a fun podcast. I have bookmarked the store to shop that beautiful yarn!!
Michelle Hanson says
May 26, 2017 at 5:07 pmI enjoyed hearing about Sonia’s story and about how she tries to share the stories of the yarn that she sells! I love it when makers and designers include the backstory and inspiration behind their creations
KarenGrandPre' says
May 26, 2017 at 5:07 pmI always love a good yarn story.
Rachelle Mathews says
May 26, 2017 at 5:55 pmThis is such a fun store! Great giveaway and awesome story ❤️
aquiltersjoy says
May 28, 2017 at 6:33 amI am so glad that knitting is a part of my STORY. I enjoy it so much. Indy dyers make the most beautiful yarn each one has a personality all of its own.
Tracey says
May 28, 2017 at 9:19 amI am a avid listener of other people’s stories. Some of my favorite podcasts are The Moth and Story Corps. When there are stories about yarn and fiber people, all the better!
Nancy says
May 28, 2017 at 1:04 pmEnjoyed the podcast. The stories sure help put the pieces together. Loved hearing Sonia’s story.
Lauren says
May 28, 2017 at 2:06 pmWhat a great podcast with such an interesting story of Sonia & her store-Stash. Learning the story helps us all relate to people & places we might not have known about. Thank you!
Linda Ostruszka says
May 28, 2017 at 2:25 pmYarn sometimes tell a story.
Laura says
May 29, 2017 at 6:31 amMy favorite thing about this podcast is hearing everyone’s story! This one was no exception. Having grown up in an entrepreneurial home its so fun to hear about all the different paths people have taken.
Louise Gingery says
May 29, 2017 at 11:14 amThe story about your shop was very interesting!
Trisha says
May 29, 2017 at 1:27 pmI enjoyed learning about Sonia’s story of Stash. Hearing about people’s back stories is always interesting and fun.
Michelle says
May 29, 2017 at 2:50 pmAs human beings I believe we are “programed” to be drawn to stories. I LOVED hearing Sonia’s story. As always the podcast was a joy…Thank you Marly, Tammy and team.
Valerie says
May 29, 2017 at 3:05 pmEveryone has a story and I love to hear them all!! This is one of the biggest reasons that I live Marly’s podcast as well as Sonya’s Stash podcast. I would enjoy reading the book.
yarnsandyarnsblog says
May 30, 2017 at 12:00 pmAs a librarian, I love a great story. Thanks!
Victoria Lund says
May 30, 2017 at 12:34 pmSuch an awesome podcast and how the story unfolds about Sonia’s yarn shop was great! The artisans that contribute sound so interesting!
Amberly says
May 30, 2017 at 1:30 pmI loved hearing Stash’s story on the podcast!
Ida Williamson says
May 30, 2017 at 2:54 pmWould love to tell my story with yarn! Looking forward to seeing you and Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle.
Sheila Breeden says
May 30, 2017 at 7:00 pmI’m a brand-new listener to your podcast. I love it! After years of afghans and scarves, I’m making a cardigan; the Hydroponic! 90% done; Hallelujah! No, it’s been fun to learn something new. Next is working through my just-purchased Curvy Crochet tutorial on Craftsy. And that’s my story 😉
Mary L. says
May 30, 2017 at 7:18 pmI enjoyed listening to Sonia telling her story. I think a road trip is in order – I would LOVE to visit her yarn shop!!
Heather says
May 31, 2017 at 8:49 amStory is so important- it’s how we relate to other people! Thanks for sharing yours.
Hazel Vaughn says
May 31, 2017 at 2:18 pmEnjoyed hearing the story of Sonia’s shop and her yarn selections.
Karol says
May 31, 2017 at 4:14 pmI loved listening to Sonia’s “story.” I am a brand new listener to your podcast and love, love, love your enthusiasm for knit and crochet, but I really do think you should give quilting a try. As a quilter myself, you won’t regret it. It’s a different outlet for creativity!!!!!
Amy says
May 31, 2017 at 7:24 pmWhen I fired up this episode of the podcast, I never expected to hear the story of a yarn shop practically in my own back yard! I need to take a little field trip down to Corvallis and visit Sonia at Stash.
Shelly says
June 1, 2017 at 2:06 amWhenever I go to a new LYS I always try to get the story of any local yarns they carry.
Dorothy Monica says
June 1, 2017 at 4:00 pmReally enjoyed listening to Sonia and the Stash story
Kim says
June 2, 2017 at 5:19 amThank you for sharing your yarn story with us!
Mary Kay Smith says
June 2, 2017 at 2:40 pmThanks for sharing your story! I love hearing about local yarn shops!
Maria Kroth says
June 3, 2017 at 12:11 pmGreat story. Sounds live a great shop to visit.
Barbara Harkness says
June 3, 2017 at 12:53 pmI loved listening to this Podcast with Sonya. I really enjoyed hearing her knitting history, and the story behind the yarn stories. Love that each yarn has it’s own reason for being…
Vicki L Lynch says
June 3, 2017 at 5:12 pmI love hearing the story behind all the people that Marly interviews. I enjoyed your story and how you ended up knitting and then owning a store.
Elizabeth says
June 5, 2017 at 6:46 pmEvery knitted object tells its own story, why the pattern and yarn were chosen, who it’s for or why it was made. I enjoy asking other makers the story behind their projects, because they’re is always a story.
Dinah Deuel says
June 5, 2017 at 8:25 pmI enjoyed your story and the honesty of what it really means to operate a yarn shop
Allison B says
June 6, 2017 at 4:53 pmI love the idea of each project telling a story. I’m a beginner crocheter and I started in large part to be able to share crocheted gifts as stories for my loved ones.
Michelle Brewer says
June 7, 2017 at 2:38 pmLoved to hear Sonias story! I would also live live love to visit her shop one day! Love yarn.
Ingrid Agor says
June 9, 2017 at 7:27 amI loved hearing the story about Stash. I love hearing about women turning their passion into a business.
martha donley says
June 9, 2017 at 6:55 pmI love hearing a good story and Sonya’s was great.
Robin says
June 11, 2017 at 3:23 pmI enjoyed hearing Sonia’s and Stacy’s story.
Becky J (Mplsbetty) says
June 13, 2017 at 9:51 amI really enjoyed listening to Sonia’s yarn story – Love to hear how people end up with careers in the “creative” world and makes me want to plan a visit to her shop!
tmcolon says
June 13, 2017 at 11:00 amI am right there with Sonia – stories are what make knitting so interesting, and I loved her comment about how knitting from something that already has love in it means that we simply extend the story. What a great interview!
Jill H. says
June 13, 2017 at 1:46 pmThe podcast is like listening to a crafty story while I work 🙂
amy says
June 13, 2017 at 3:59 pmI so enjoyed hearing Sonia’s story. I’m always so envious of people brave enough to open a yarn shop.
Susan Brewer says
June 17, 2017 at 4:19 pmSoon I will be traveling through Corvallis and I plan to stop in at the Stash and see the story for myself.
Mary Alice says
June 23, 2017 at 1:44 pmI may be too late, but I,enjoyed hearing Sonya’s Story.
Lori Biamonte says
July 6, 2017 at 6:39 amI see a story in everything I knit. I knit my surroundings and feelings into every stitch. I can look at a project and remember where I was when I knit it. I love to hear other people’s knitting stories.