Yarn Crawl: Meet Wyoming’s Own Cowgirl Yarn

When you think of the state of Wyoming, you may picture ranches and rodeos, and wide open spaces where the Rocky Mountains give way to vast plains where buffalo still roam. Wyoming is home to the famed geysers of Yellowstone National Park. And it’s home to Cowgirl Yarn, Laramie’s LYS that’s proud to showcase a variety of local yarns and host a diverse array of events that promote community involvement in the fiber arts.

I’ve heard of events like stitch-n-sip and other community fiber nights. But “Stitch ‘n Skate” is something I would never have dreamed of. When asked what planted the seed for this unique event, Cowgirl Yarn owner Lori Kirk states that three of Cowgirl Yarn’s team members also skate with the Naughty Pines Roller Derby Team. “We thought, why not combine two things we love: yarn and roller derby!” Lori says. “Stitch ‘n Skate was born as a way to craft in public, cheer on some seriously awesome women, and bring our community together in a totally unique way.”

The storefront of Cowgirl Yarn, the self-proclaimed "yarn-wranglin' headquarters of Laramie." Photo by Katie Powell

Read on to learn all about this amazing LYS in Laramie, Wyoming, the local fibers they carry, and the fun community events they’re a part of.

Farm & Fiber Knits: Describe your shop and tell us a little about what makes it special.

Cowgirl Yarn: Since Cowgirl Yarn was established in 2005, visitors are not just visiting a local yarn shop—they’re joining a vibrant, welcoming community crafted over the span of 20 years. We celebrate all fiber arts, including knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, felting, and now cross stitch and embroidery, too. Whether you’re a local or come from miles away, you’re always part of our creative circle.

With much of the retail space on the main level, stairs lead down to the creative space known as Fernwood Studio, which has grown into a bright, inspiring 1,500-square-foot space since its inception in 2017. It features classroom space, additional retail shopping, the shipping area and backstock areas, a kitchen, and a washer dedicated to felting projects. The studio is also equipped with floor and table looms, plus spinning wheels available for rent, providing everything necessary to explore and deepen one’s fiber arts skills.

The Fernwood Studio provides plenty of space for classes and workshops. Photo by Anthony Evans

Throughout the year, we offer classes in knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, and felting, depending on the season and instructor availability. Our customers love exploring new techniques and trying their hands at a variety of techniques. I am personally excited to take the class on Fission Knitting and the Double Knit class. And as of recently, our customers seem to love doing cable knitting, and we always make sure to have the tools they need to continue doing what they are drawn to!

FFK: What is the most popular yarn in your shop, and what colors are your customers most drawn to?

CY: Hands down, wool is our best seller, especially our wide range of non-superwash options. Our customers love the natural feel, warmth, and durability that non-superwash wool provides. Plus, our customers love knowing that many of our yarns come directly from small local sheep and alpaca ranches. Supporting these hardworking ranchers means you’re not only getting exceptional, high-quality wool, you’re also helping to sustain a vital part of our regional heritage.

We see all kinds of favorites in terms of color preference. Some folks love timeless neutrals, while others are drawn to rich jewel tones or cozy autumn shades. And lately, bright neons have been in the spotlight! We love to see what each new season of the year influences our customers and their color choices.

From delicate laceweight to cozy super-bulky, Lori stocks a wide variety of yarns to suit every project and preference. Photo by Anthony Evans

FFK: Tell us about the local-to-you yarns that you carry.

CY: At Cowgirl Yarn, we’re proud to showcase a dedicated “Local Wall” in our shop, featuring fiber and products from talented makers and ranchers right here in Wyoming and the surrounding region. Some of our local selections include those from Tronstad Ranch, a family-owned operation just 20 miles from the shop. Their Border Leicester/Teeswater sheep produce beautiful fiber, which we offer in a range of forms—dyed and picked fiber, rolags, roving, handspun and milled yarns, and even tanned sheepskins!

We also offer luxurious handspun angora blended with Merino by Beth Booth of Pinedale. Another customer favorite is Blackbird Sycamore Yarn, hand-dyed by the wonderfully talented Stephanie Miller in Cheyenne, just 45 miles away. We carry roving and yarn from Gayfeather Fibers, known for their exceptional Bond sheep fiber. And from Taste of the Wind, a local ranch run by shepherdess BJ, we stock beautiful Icelandic sheep products including pelts, hand-felted fleece rugs, and yarn when available.

Part of Cowgirl Yarn's inventory includes fiber and products from makers and ranchers from the surrounding region. Photo by Katie Powell

In addition, we carry finely handcrafted weaving tools like shuttles, pick-up sticks, and swords, all of which are made by Bruce Embury right here in Laramie. We also carry distinctive antler buttons handcrafted by Mr. Lee of Antler Works in Afton. Each of these makers contributes to our vibrant local fiber community, and we’re honored to share their beautiful work with our customers.

FFK: What types of community events do you host?

We started an event called Stitch One, Sip Two during COVID as a way to stay connected when we couldn’t gather in person. What started at our local coffee shop, Coal Creek, quickly grew into a virtual meet-up filled with creativity, laughter, and community. Now, we meet on Zoom every second Tuesday of the month, and our circle includes stitchers from all over the world. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space where you can share your current project, ask for advice, sip your favorite drink, and connect with fiber friends near and far.

In June, we proudly hosted Pride on the Patio, an event that brought together over 65 attendees. Together, we created a community-woven shawl that was donated to Laramie PrideFest. We’re excited to be hosting three indie dyer pop-ups and an Atenti trunk show during the Hot August Knits Yarn Crawl, which is celebrating its fifteenth year and includes shops throughout Northern Colorado and Laramie! We also participate in the annual Cowboy Yarn Crawl which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day and features a number of yarn shops—plus a wool mill—across the state of Wyoming.

We host around six trunk shows annually, featuring beautiful yarns and designs from a variety of vendors. And every Thursday afternoon, we host a free community gathering in the shop—a time for makers to connect, share, and work on projects together. In addition, we’ve organized field trips to local sheep and alpaca ranches, and even tours to Brown Sheep Company and Schacht Spindle Company, giving customers a behind-the-scenes look at how their favorite tools and yarns are made.

Proprietor Lori Kirk says “I’m constantly inspired by the creativity of our customers and the incredible projects they’re bringing to life. Seeing their ideas take shape with fiber and color never gets old." Photo by Katie Powell

FFK: If someone comes to visit your shop from out of town, what's one must-do activity you always recommend?

CY: I like to think of myself as a proud ambassador for Laramie! I always enjoy pointing visitors toward our wonderful local restaurants, unique retail shops, and vibrant arts and museums. The University of Wyoming adds so much to the culture of our town, and if you're up for some fresh air, the nearby mountain trails offer incredible hiking and breathtaking views. There's truly something for everyone to enjoy here!

Learn more about Cowgirl Yarn and shop their entire store at cowgirlyarn.com. Or visit them on Facebook and Instagram @cowgirlyarn.

Do you have a favorite local yarn shop? What is it that makes it special? Share your ideas via our email address.