What started over a humble cup of coffee and a few crochet stitches has grown into a fiber lover’s dream store and educational space: Cowgirl Yarn and the Fernwood Studio. Located in historic downtown Laramie, Cowgirl Yarn (established in 2005) and the Fernwood Studio (established in 2017) place special emphasis on education and local products. By stocking locally grown and made items; offering tried-and-true favorites from around the world; and teaching classes in spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, felting, dyeing and so much more, we have crafted a community of eager fiber-loving friends and cheerleaders that help us make Cowgirl Yarn a one-of-a-kind place. We hope you’ll join us for a class, a few stitches, or even just a cup of coffee the next time you’re in Laramie.
Lori Kirk–Owner, Fiber Wrangler
When Lori Kirk opened Cowgirl Yarn in 2005, it began as just a hobby. She had crocheted for a few years prior to opening the doors of Cowgirl Yarn but didn’t learn to knit until the shop had been in business for a year. Lori's daughters then intervened and taught her to knit and purl, a skill that they had learned from Lori's mother who is an avid knitter and seamstress.
Soon internationally known instructors visited the shop, and the fiber community that Lori had created began to grow. Lori was then able to completely dive into the fiber arts and picked up needle felting, Nuno felting, weaving, and so much more along the way. Now, what was once a hobby has turned into a true passion, and her goal is to provide a space where all can feel welcome and able to practice the fiber arts in whatever way makes them happy.
Dorothy Tuthill–Master Weaver, Instructor
Dorothy’s fascination with fibers began as child, making God’s eyes at summer camp. An accomplished knitter and spinner, Dorothy’s passion is weaving, an art she learned 40 years ago. Though perfectly capable of monochromatic weaving, she much prefers to use multiple colors. Her profession as a botanist and mycologist informs her color decisions because all colors and color combinations are found in the natural world!
Robbie Feuerstein–Knit Doctor
At nine years old, Robbie learned to knit from her grandmother who was one of the "Germans from Russia" who knitted using the Continental Method. At the time, Robbie didn't know that it was different from English knitting. In 4th grade, Robbie took knitting as a project in 4-H, but her knitting leader used the English Method. She told Robbie that she couldn't help with her project, since Robbie knit differently than her. So Robbie sought out an aunt who also knit the "German" way, and while her aunt was able to help Robbie some, many times Robbie needed to learn to fix her mistakes on her own. More than 50 years later, Robbie is still knitting and sharing her knowledge with others. She is eager to help you put your projects back on the road to health. Contact Cowgirl Yarn, and make an appointment with Robbie. She'll show you how to fix your mistakes, so you can improve your knitting.
Diane 'Dee' Brewer–Cowgirl Yarn Champion, Ravelry Liaison
Life has given Dee many wonderful craft teachers – her mothers (if your mom is an identical twin you get two moms), grandmothers, aunts, friends, and professional fiber artists. Since learning to knit around age five, though never quite figuring out how to purl, cast-on or bind-off until years later, she has dabbled in sewing, embroidery, cross stitch, candle wicking, tatting, crochet, spinning, and weaving. Dee finds inspiration every time she walks through the door of Cowgirl Yarn, which she believes is far more than a "yarn store." It’s a creative community that welcomes everyone to come and learn, experience, share, and grow.