In honor of our Third Anniversary Month, I’m doing a special contest blog on three different Mondays in August. Today’s blog starts with a mini photo history of Loopy Central.
We started in a little corner of the basement and this was just going to be a little thing I did “on the side”. It was going to be “on the side” because I already had a fun scrapbooking business that I had been doing for 14 years. After Loopy took off, I retired from the scrapbooking business to put all of my time and effort here, instead. (This is one of the first Knitting Groups to come shop in person! Honestly, our space was not a whole lot bigger than what you see in the photo. I had to move out of the little corner so that they’d have room to move around a wee bit and shop.)
We packed boxes and left them on the porch and in our front hallway for the mailman.
Soon we had to expand the shelves into the rest of our basement, to fit more yarn and accessories in.
Then we gave up and moved it out of the house and into our own space.
After a year in the new space, we added the space next to ours so that we could double the size again.
Since we still have plenty of room to add more shelves in our current space, I’m hoping we won’t have to expand any more! (And I have no desire to get to the “warehouse” size. I want to work in a colorful, fun, inspiring-looking shop. I love walking into Loopy Central every morning. It’s bright and cheerful and happy here!)
Today’s blog contest question: How did you first find out about The Loopy Ewe? Leave your answer in the blog comments, and we’ll draw for winners next week. (And it’s ok to say “I don’t remember” if you don’t remember.) We send out one prize package for every 250 comments and last week we gave out 5 of them. (What’s in there? We sent 3 skeins of yarn and 3 accessories in each package, because we’re kind of into 3’s this month.) We’re ready to send out more, so leave your comments and we’ll use the random number generator to draw new names sometime next week.
This week’s Anniversary Special: we have all Cherry Tree Hill yarn, all Heartstrings patterns, and all GoKnit accessories for 20% off. Enjoy this special until midnight Friday. The final Anniversary Week Specials (and our last Anniversary Contest) will be announced in the blog next week.
Also – we just added new things to the website! Under What’s New, you’ll find: Numma Numma Toasty and The Usual, String Theory, Prism Merino Mia, Schoppel Wolle Zauberball (including the new Crazy colors), Yarn Pirate, Intentions Yarn by Miss Violet, Hand Maiden Swiss Mountain Super Sock (brand new!), Perchance to Knit/Spin Roving, 3 AM Emily Bags, Loopy’s Carabiner Tape Measure, Loopy’s Red Sticky Book, and a Lorna’s Laces re-stock, including the Sock Summit colorways (Hydra Pool Party, Lorna’s Lazers, Frankenstein’s Cotillion, Hobgoblin Hoedown, Ghoul’s Gala, Nightmare’s Night Out, and Medusa’s Masquerade.) Next week we’ll also have Whidbey Island, which is the special colorway they did for us to have exclusively at the Summit. Zombie BBQ sold out at the Summit, but we’ll get more for you. Also next week, the special colors that Dream in Color flash-dyed for us to have at the Sock Summit, and several other fun things as well.
Sheri whoworkedonaNummaNummasockthisweekend
I’m certain that it was a Lime N Violet podcast that first pointed me towards the Loopy Ewe – and the love continues!
Loopy Legend Beth (who I believe may be your #1 pusher) ordered me two skeins in exchange for sock knitting services. She chose SeaWool for herself, and I knit her a pair of Brainless socks from them… and I chose… well, now I can’t remember. But it was definitely Beth!
I learned about The Loopy Ewe from Tammy!!!! I am so glad she told me too, I have made only one purchase so far, but know there will be more in the future.
Congratulations on your success and continued growth in something that you so obviously enjoy…. speaking of enjoying Wendy Knits was where I first heard of The Loopy Ewe and I found Wendy when I was googling cat accessories and found her delightful Kitty Pi bed.
Tina
I found you on ravelry, and soooo glad I did. I love the yarn I just received, and it was here so quick. And I must add, the personal note inside was also wonderful. Definitely the first of many orders to come. 🙂
I learned about The Loopy Ewe from Ravelry!
Another one from Wendy Knits!
I found The Loopy Ewe through listening to LimenViolet podcast! Love it…Just sayin’ and SQWEEE!!!
Hi Sheri! I learned about you from Heather of All Things Heather just before you opened. So happy you’ve been expanding and that business is doing well 🙂
This is a tough one. I’m guessing I followed a link from somewhere (Twist Collective maybe?) or saw an ad in Interweave – liked the ewe and went to the site. It’s been bliss ever since. 🙂 Hard to believe you’ve only been in business for three years – you guys do a fantastic job.
I heard about you from the Wendy Knits blog. Happy anniversary!
Myriam
Wendy Knits was the place I linked from to find the Loopy Ewe, and I’m glad I did! I’d love to see it in real life!
I’m not sure. I’ve only been knitting for about 9 months, so I’ve learned about lots of people and places in a very holistic manner – gradually absorking and piecing together informatio and impressions. Loopy Ewe became much more real for me after seeing your booth at Sock Summit – thanks for coming all the way from St. Louis.
I first heard of TLE by listening to Lime & Violet. So glad I did.
A friend from work told me about Loopy Ewe.
Wow, that transformation from a small basements pace to where you are now in just three years is remarkable! A couple of friends and I are thinking about starting something small ourselves esp because there are no LYSs here in Dubai. There’s a lady who hawks yarn around at sky-rocketing prices but bless her cotton socks she has no idea about what yarns would sell here in this humid and hot weather.
I think I followed a link on Ravelry or maybe Wendy Johnson’s blog and thought the term Loopy Ewe was just too cute. Or I must have been looking for online shops who delivers to the UAE – yeah that was it. And I’m glad that you do!
Happy Anniversary. I actually don’t remember how I found you. I sure notice links to you in lots of magazines and online forums now though. Great stuff!
I only just found you tonight, on The Hook and Needle Girl’s blog. I’m a crocheter but I think I will “follow” your blog, anyway. Great story about your start and your current status – gives some of us something to hope for.
Lime and Violet’s Podcast!
I discovered Loopy from Wendy Knits
I learned about The Loopy Ewe from Dianne at Creatively Dyed Yarns.
I heard of the The Loopy Ewe from my Local yarn store…
I’m yet another one who found Loopy through Ravelry. Someone posted about how very much they love TLE so I had to come and find out for myself. Now I almost live here!
I’m 99% certain it was from Wendy’s blog.
I first heard about Loopy when the Yarn Harlot blogged about the Sock Club having so many people that the bank thought it was a hoax and closed down the account, because “There could not possibly be so many knitters!”
I first saw Loopy Ewe through Tuscan Grove. Best yarn in the business
I was looking for local yarn shops after moving back to St. Louis and I LOVE your site!
A bit late to the party here, but I found out about TLE when I was looking for lace weight yarn for the Mystery Stole #2 KAL. 🙂
I learned about the loopy ewe from the wendyknits blog. I found her blog when I was just getting into sock knitting and once she mentioned the loopy ewe and I found all your gorgeous yarn I havent stopped shopping!
Heard about The Loopy Ewe from wendyknits! Love to come here & just “browse”
Thanks!
I heard about you from Tempted Yarns. She is a friend who got me interested in learning to Knit then she got me to spinning.
From WendyKnits, of course! And I am eternally grateful. Thanks, Wendy! My husband, on the other hand…. 😉
I found out about you from my friend Melissa, who brought some gorgeous yarn she’d gotten here to knit night.
I found out about the phenomenon that is The Loopy Ewe from a Loopy addict, Susan L., known as knitsnknishes on Ravelry (and her patterns on TLE). She was telling me all about Spring Fling and I was so in awe (and jealous in a good way) that she printed out a pic of my Ravelry ravatar and “took me with her”, lol. So not only did I discover The Loopy Ewe (and plan to visit when I’m next back in the U.S.) but I made a dear, dear thoughtful and funny friend.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
I heard about your store from Wendy, of course and she was right. Your yarns are gorgeous! Thanks for being there.
Happy Third Anniversary! You’ve done a wonderful job! I don’t remember how I found you. I have been ordering from your shop for the last 2-1/2 years, though, so almost from the beginning. 🙂
I first heard about you on Knitters Review, Sock Knitting Forum, a discussion on good internet yarn stores to order from….my first order as well as all others arrived so fast, I was hooked! Great store…congratulations.
I’m pretty sure that I heard about you from Wendy of Wendy Knits! Since then I’ve been really pleased with all my purchases! Congrats on your anniversary!
Found you through my friend Leigh Anne of your homebased mom! I love her for it…but my bank account loathes her! Love your site and your very beautiful things. Thank you!
Wow, It took me forever to get to the bottom so I can answer for the contest. I found Loopy by searching for sock yarn and I have been addicted ever since.
My daughter-in-law sent me a gift certificate for my birthday and since I live in St Louis I came to the shop and fell in love.
It’s all “Wendy Knits” fault! I wonder if I can send her my credit card bill?
I dont remember but I think it was on some swedish site.
I found the Loopy Ewe through Ravelry. I don’t know how I found out about Ravelry, though. usually I find new sites by looking for free crochet patterns or unusual natural yarns. Do you have any crochet patterns? I prefer yarn in balls not hanks, so that limits my choices. I’m glad I found you. My husband put me on a yarn buying ban until after we move, so I’ll be sure to update you just after that. I am looking for bamboo yarn. Do yu have any? Congratulations on your third year, and growing so much. I like the round multi-level dispaly in your shop photo. I like how you talk about feeling the yarn.
When I first started reading knitting blogs (B.R. – before Ravelry) it seemed that everybody had a Loopy Ewe button on their sidebar! But I’d probably give credit (blame?) to WendyKnits for getting me to actually visit the site.
How did I find out about Loopy? WendyKnits! (again)
Why do I love Loopy? You have the best stuff and stuff that’s hard to find anywhere else. And you guys are just awesome!
I saw an add for the store in a knitting mag – VK, I think…
I had heard about you before, but my first visit to your website was when I won the sock madness and had to spend a couple of weeks trying to chose between all the wonderful yarn 🙂
A knitterly friend directed me to your shop. Talk about enablers, huh? Love everything you have in there.
I found you through Wendy’s blog. So happy about that!