The Wooly Thistle, Corinne Tomlinson | Fiberchats, Episode: 273
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- Опубліковано 19 кві 2024
- At The Woolly Thistle we specialize in stocking the best wool yarns from the United Kingdom, Europe, and some local to us here in the US. We seek out the best quality woolly wools that have been produced with care and intention, and we bring them to customers through an enjoyable and trustworthy online experience. When you shop at The Woolly Thistle, you are supporting small and independent producers such as crofters on remote Scottish islands raising sheep, or independent mills doing small batch production.
The Woolly Thistle is owned and operated by Corinne who is originally from Scotland and moved to the USA in 1992. Starting The Woolly Thistle after a trip home for her sister's wedding in 2016, at which time, she also attended the Edinburgh Yarn Festival, Corinne was inspired to start the shop for her friends back home in the USA seeing we all loved the UK yarns being shown on various British podcasts.
Our warehouse is based in New Hampshire, USA and we ship worldwide! Our small team of hard working, knowledgeable, and caring staff offer outstanding customer service, knitting and yarn support. We believe this makes The Woolly Thistle special amongst other online retailers because you get to know us, and we get to know you!
The thriving and generous community we’ve fostered through our Facebook and Ravelry groups is remarkable. With over 20,400 members in our Facebook group and a highly engaged Ravelry group of almost 10,000; fans and customers can find answers to questions, share their successes and trials, participate in Knit-Alongs, and make friends! Our community members are the most welcoming and helpful group of knitters anywhere!
Corinne is the designer behind the Vanilla Sweater and several other designs including the Balvonie Bonnet and coming soon, the Ballachulish Beanie. The simple lines of the Vanilla Sweater has made it a firm favorite with many knitters, with some knitting several Vanillas, one after the other. It's a great wardrobe staple.
During the pandemic, we launched a totally free Knitting Buddies program, which paired up small groups of makers around the world. Over 1200 people have been matched and some groups are still meeting today! We're proud that we matched so many knitters who would have been even more isolated without their Knitting Buddies during those most testing times.
The Woolly Thistle also has a Shopcast, a twice-monthly UA-cam video series which includes shop news, making highs and lows (we're not shy about sharing our fails) from Corinne and co-host Maggie, regular guest segments from team members and friends who share everything from Yoga for Knitters to life on Fair Isle in Shetland! We offer interviews with designers and yarn producers and aim to present a program that’s educational, encouraging, and that feels like visiting good friends.
Links:
Join our newsletter: thewoollythistle.com/pages/ne...
Shop: thewoollythistle.com/
UA-cam: / @thewoollythistle
Facebook: / thewoollythistle
Ravelry: www.ravelry.com/groups/the-wo...
Instagram: / thewoollythistle - Навчання та стиль
Irina, you have done it again! This is a beautiful, insightful, and intimate interview. I am in awe of your ability to pose questions that are not only interesting, but touching and enlightening in the best possible way. Both you and Corrine are two women whose generosity and humility are bringing together a lovely community of crafters. Most of us would be unable to make these connections in person and it is a joy and a privilege to be drawn into your orbits. I find the Woolly Thistle an unexpected source of great information and friendly, helpful conversation. And Irina’s Fiberchats is eclectic, in depth, and incredibly well presented. Thank you to you both. This interview is a classic example of influence in its best possible meaning.
Aww, thank you! I’m so touched
thanks so much!!
Two wonderful people having a fascinating conversation. Thank you thank you - both!
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a lovely interview. As the daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of crofters and women who spun and knitted their own yarns, it’s lovely to listen to such a strong advocate of Scottish and British wool. Truly a tough way of life; Corinne is a true champion. I love the smell of wool too❤️
Yes, the smell of wool is so comforting
🎉Corinne! Loved listening in to your chat. For me, Corinne’s true gifts are bringing people together, being open and welcoming, and perhaps most of all, showing up as a complex authentic human being. When individuals show up authentically, they allow us a glimpse of possibilities we may not have considered. These experiences help us to share our authentic selves to others in return.
Thanks Irina and Corrine. I’m also a fan of The Woolly Thistle and what they do. So nice to hear how it all began and is growing and changing.
Thank you for watching!
Thanks Denise!!!
Wow, Irirna, after watching you from the beginning and enjoying so many of the episodes, this is my favorite! I think Corinne is amazing and I have followed her since her audio podcast. It was awesome to meet her last year at Wool and Folk - and get a hug! She is as warm and friendly in person as you see her on air. Thanks for bringing her and her story to us! 🙋🏽♀💜🧶
Thanks so much for watching! It was a real honor to talk to Irina!!
It was my pleasure!
Yay, was nice to see Corinne interviewed! Woolly Thistle is really one of a kind store and I’ve been following her podcast for many years now. Really appreciate what they are doing!
Yes, very important mission
thanks so much for watching!
Congratulations to Corrine for all of her success in building The Woolly Thistle into what it is today. I happened upon her audio podcasts at the beginning of covid and now look forward to each of her videos. Her generous spirit shares the spotlight with others on her team creating a unique and rich podcast. Personally, I’ve learned so much about the different sheep and the properties of their wool from her and her guests. I adopted a sheep (Seraph) from Rachel’s flock and can’t wait to do it again when she offers up the opportunity. In the meantime, she sent me a lock of his fleece as a momento. Thank you Irina for always asking the best questions and bring us such interesting people in the fiber world.
What a special gift from your adopted friend!
Seraph is a wee darling! Thanks for watching Esther!
I'm so happy to have discovered Fiberchats and your interview with Corinne from The Woolly Thistle! I loved this interview! For seven years until COVID, we had a knitting group meet weekly at our local public library. One of the woman in the group knew I loved natural fiber yarns and, in the autumn of 2019, told me about The Woolly Thistle. I've been a huge fan and regular customer of all things Woolly Thistle ever since. I've learned so much and keep digging deeper into all kinds of things including different yarn brands, sheep breeds, designers, mills, processes and more. All thanks to Corinne Tomlinson and Maggie and their team at The Woolly Thistle. A fantastic community. Now I've subscribed to your Fiberchats UA-cam channel and am looking forward to learning more from you. I watch UA-cam podcasts whilst knitting. Of course. Thank you so much! Keep doing what you're doing!
Thank you! It was wonderful to chat with Corinne
Corinne, wonderful interview! You're so right about developing friendships online, and even without direct interaction, just watching the Shopcasts and becoming a customer. I will definitely come to the shop when you open a retail section, at least twice a year!
I love Corinne. Her podcast offers so much and it’s free!!!! It’s always such a pleasure to see her, Maggie and all their contributors. Thanks for your insightful interview 🧡
thanks Maria! it was a pleasure to talk to Irina!!
My two favorite podcasts combined!❤
Thank you!
aww, thanks!
Such an awesome interview! Thank you Irina and Corinne. I'm swatching for a sweater made with Manchelopis. ❤
Sounds cozy
Irina, you are a most intuitive, gracious interviewer with a beautiful sense of humility and enthusiasm for what you are sharing with all of us. How wonderful to listen to this conversation with Corinne…I am a total TWT addict, and New Hampshirite, and this interview just further cemented my love of this wonderful business AND your work! Thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
hello fello New Hampshirite! Thanks for enjoying TWT!!
Great interview, Irina. Wonderful to meet Corinne, and I’m thinking of adopting a sheep ❤
Those sheep are so adorable
Hi Wendy, I highly recommend you adopt one of Rachel's wee sheep. She knows them all by name and they all have wonderful sheepy personalities!
Loved this, thank you. Corinne is a sincere and dyed-in-the-wool honest & caring person and businesswoman. Hope you both do well in your adventures.
What a lovely compliment! Thank you Liz!!
Thank you!
Wonderfull interview with Corinne, liked it very much!
Thank you!
What an enjoyable interview! I love Corinne and her team...yes, I bought yarn from them multiple times and I am fortunate enough that I can go "pick up in person' a couple of times a year (1 hour 50 minutes from home), but I think Corinne maintains true commitment to the original mission of her online store. And she has built an incredible community around The Woolly Thistle. I sincerely hope the Woolly Thistle continue to bring us their Woolly Wools for a long time.....Thank you Irina!
I’m planning to make a trek there as well. Boston is not too far from woolly thistle
@@Fiberchats totally worth it. Then you can add Junction Fiber Mills, King Arthur Baking, five sisters farm and what not.....
Francesca darling!! Thank you so much for all your support over the years. We love you!!
Hi Francesca!! Thanks so much for watching and being a TWT superfan 🙂
Awesome visit❣️
Love the interview Irina -- Woolly Thistle is one of my must see podcasts each week and their yarn - ideas - and inspiration just amazing with their contributors. Thanks for sharing and giving us the chance to learn more about Corinne's fiber origin story. A storefront would be awesome -- I have a NE dream tour of shops/mills...so would love to add it to my dream adventure planning -- from NH through Vermont to Maine to PEI!
That sounds like an awesome adventure! Another idea to add would be farm tours, specially during the lambing season. I went last year to upstate NY for open farm day organized by the same group that runs Rhinebeck and it was unforgettable
Another terrific interview. Love the origin story of her business. A reminder to follow what you love doing or being and that even in dark times one can always find a spark.
Couldn't agree more!
Absolutely, not a truer thing ever said!! Thanks for watching!
I’m so pleased I popped in to view this podcast. I enjoy watching Corrine on the Wooly Thistle with Maggie but hearing her story has really enhanced my enjoyment of TWT
Thank you!
What a delight to see you have Corinne for an interview!! I love The Woolly Thistle shopcast and consider them my LYS (though I am in Florida). Thanks for the interview Irena; I love to check out your interviews for both the people I am aware of, but also to be introduced to those I never heard of or of whom I know very little, and to hear their stories. Now, if UA-cam would not interrupt with ads every few minutes....
thank you Jessica for thinking of us as your LYS
Corinne is lovely and what a great success story! I have ordered from The Wooly Thistle and their yarn is really great!
I can just imagine how great the physical store will be
Thank you Pat!! Lovely to know, and thanks for shopping with us!!
Another good interview. Really like Corinne and TWT. Full disclosure I am a repeat customer who has a huge stash so when I buy more yarns I make intentional purchases. Just bought a variety of non-superwash sock yarns to try out for my sock knitting. The podcast is great with all the people who contribute. And yes Rachel does steal the show with what it takes to make Shetland yarns. Thanks to both of you.
Thank you!
Thanks so much for interviewing Corinne. Irina! I've been in love with The Woolly Thistle yarns for years now and always watch her podcast (as well as yours!). As a spinner I love minimally processed yarns and love to know the breeds I'm knitting with. I'm so happy that other knitters are becoming more educated about the various breeds and all the special qualities they offer. Thank you so much for this very special interview.
I’m learning so much from my guests! Thank you for your support!
This is wonderful Jill. Spinners have such great knowledge and it's important that knitters also know and love all about the fiber!!
honestly I was late to the Woolly Thistle, but love it. And it has inspired and matured me as a knitter. I wish I could knit faster sometimes( so many knits and so little time) Thank you Irina for a little deeper dive into Corinnes journey ! Thank you Corine for your passion for woolly wool :)
Thank you
What a GREAT interview! Wooly Thistle is a recent find for me and it was great to hear the background story. I hope the store front becomes a reality. Girls roadtrip for sure!!!
I hope so too! It sounds like it would be a wonderful store
Loved the interview with Corrine and yourself! My first Fiberchat!🎉
Welcome!
Thank you for another great interview. I've heard of the whole thistle before but didn't know of Corrine's podcasts. Thanks for the information. 💜
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great interview! I watch her podcasts . She’s so sweet. I’ve dealt with her in the past.
Wonderful!
Thanks Debby!
Great job Irina and Corinne! Loved this interview so much!
Thank you!
I have to say I was nervous, but Irina did a great job and asked great questions!!
I clicked so fast when I saw Corinne. I love this episode. I've liked and subscribed 💚🧶💚
Thank you!
Thanks so much Meredith!!
Ive known Corrine since just her audio cast. Nice to see her on the other side of the interview. Great job, great questions
Glad you enjoyed it!
Irina did ask great and thought provoking questions!! Thanks for being with me from such a long time ago Maribeth!
Great interview! I hope Wooly Thistle can open a store front. I would love to come and squish some yarn!
Fingers crossed
I’m a great fan of Woolly Thistle and the podcast. Unfortunately, the cost of postage from US to Australia makes it prohibitive to shop there. But I support their philosophy and also really appreciate that their podcast is free of UA-cam ads.
Thanks for watching all the way from Oz! It is so expensive to ship down under but I'm glad you enjoy the shopcast anyway!!
Great interview! Thank you so much!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for watching!!
Thank you for watching!!
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Hello from Swansea, Illinois. Excellent! Another great interview!
Thanks for listening
Irina, is an excellent interviewer!
Thanks for watching!!
Wonderful story. I never liked the term influencer either, especially when directed towards you, Irena. I find you similar to a late night talk show host - a few laughs + giggles, great guests, insightful questions, and someone who would be on my list of "who would you love to chat with over a bottle of wine?"
Many thanks.
Oh, that’s the best compliment ever! Let’s make that chat over a bottle of wine happen
@Fiberchats right now, I think the quickest would be your next knit along. I'm not a shawl person, so I would just look like a drunk if I joined the latest one. Lol
Thank you Valerie, Irina does a great job!!
Lovely interview! 💕🧶
Thank you!
Thank you!!
What a fabulous interview. I am not sure how I found the Woolly Thistle, but I am glad I did. I am wondering about the sprays available to ‘refresh’ your sweaters. After listening to your discussion are these sprays really necessary and effective? I am guessing it is just a marketing strategy. Thanks so much for all the work that went into this and all your podcasts.
Good question! I think you might be right
Thanks Pam! I'm not sure either!!
Thank you for a very interesting interview.🧶