Meet the Maker: Roadtrip Sock Yarn

Calling all cat (and yarn) lovers!

We are thrilled to introduce Ali of Roadtrip Sock Yarns, and her purrrrific new trunk show at String Theory, which is inspired by... you guessed it, cats! After Janet (who is also a cat lover) met Ali last year and saw her yarn, she knew that this collection would be perfect for a show at String Theory.

Per Ali: "The fur coats and eye colors of adoptable cats and dogs at Denver Dumb Friends League inspire the Herd of Cats Meow Mélange collection.  Their services provide care for animals and find them loving homes. Many animals within the Denver Metro area seek refuge there each year, and their care is expensive. 

For every skein sold from the Herd of Cats yarn collections, a monetary donation is made to Denver Dumb Friends League."

We love it! Make sure to check out the Roadtrip Sock Yarn trunk show at String Theory and online March 15 through March 29. Get to know more about Ali below:

I earned a BFA and MA, so I know a little bit about many art techniques.  My MA concentration was in fibers, and my thesis exhibition focused on contemporary crochet. When the time came to evaluate my skills, I revisited dyeing.  In late 2018, I started very small, with a few pans, three dye colors and a handful of non superwash yarns.  I quickly contracted with a wholesale brick and mortar.  Then, in 2020 I took my dyed yarns to Etsy, and after that started to apply with additional shops across the country.  I have continued to create in fiber arts my entire life.  I grew up in Punxsutawney, Pa and moved to Denver, Colorado in 2008.

I'm in love with the entire process!  I am very grateful for this opportunity to work from home using my Greener Front Range Dye Practice*, feel creative in my expression of color, and provide community give back based upon yarn sales.

*Take a look at this video where Ali reveals some of the dye practices she established to reduce waste. 

The Herd of Cats collections of Meow Mélange and Pupper Patchwork are inspired by adoptable pets from my local animal shelter.  The Road Trip Sock Yarns® are inspired by the thrill of a good road trip adventure.

The pet inspired colors are named for their inspiration animal.

Road Trip color names are often reflective of local and regional history or tourist attractions.

I'm so lucky, I feel like I have the best of all of the colors in my collections.  Big, Bright, Bold Mega Speckles on the Road Trip side and Rich, Deep Neutrals on the Herd of Cats side.

I celebrate "Sock It Sunday" every week.  My goal is to stitch all of my own socks.  I'm close, a few more pairs will fill the drawer.

I am particularly fond of what I like to call the Basket of Kittens approach; choose the colors that make the cutest basket of kittens. 

Practice, practice, practice :)

Interesting? Golly? This is a particularly challenging question.  I have no idea?  

I am constantly creating new fine art works for exhibition in contemporary crochet.  

I have had a motorcycle license for nearly twenty years and ride a Triumph Thruxton.  

I earned a Gold Award as a Girl Scout. 

I took twelve years of classical piano lessons.

I don't eat animals, but I sure like to play with their fibers.

Heck, I don't know :)

I would enjoy going back to working in an art museum; I really loved that experience.

"Hard work pays off."

Hahahaha... I'm still working hard and I'm still paying things off.

OOOOOOO! I am always listening and reading.  I just finished "The Last Bookshop in London" by Madeline Martin- Definitely recommend it. 

I am working my way through "Emma" by Jane Austen right now, but I will likely finish this today.  

If you would like to suggest a new good read, I am open to suggestions.