Midwest Yarn Launches Indiegogo Crowdfunding Campaign to Grow its Line of American Made Hand Dyed Yarn

When Midwest Yarn opened its doors in the summer of 2012, owner Melina Martin Gingras, had a vision for where her independently owned yarn shop would go; it would eventually become a design studio from which she could cultivate her own yarn line. Two years later, not only has she achieved her goal, but the popular line of hand dyed yarn, called OMG, is growing.

Earlier this month, Gingras launched an Indiegogo campaign for OMG. Her goal is to raise $10,000 to buy American manufactured yarn, dye, and more supplies to convert a portion of her Bay View shop into a dye studio. This would allow her to begin wholesale operations while keeping hand spun yarns she makes herself as a line exclusive to her store.

The line has already received rave reviews from loyal customers and usually flies off the shelves faster than she can dye more. Gingras’ mission to continue to support American fiber mills also recently received a nod from USA Love List in an article titled 5 ‘Made in the USA’ Crowdfunding Campaigns that Need Our Support Now!

“As a community driven small business, supporting our campaign and our shop means making the Bay View neighborhood a destination for crafters,” says Gingras. People who make the trek to this area usually make an outing of it, stopping at local cafes, like Anodyne, and visiting other locally owned businesses. Gingras would love to continue to make that happen.

With the campaign ending October 16, 2014, Midwest Yarn still has a ways to go. As of the afternoon of September 17, 13 backers have contributed $1,368 (which does not reflect the custom orders for yarn that have also come in during the campaign’s run due to the attention the shop is receiving). Gingras is optimistic and hopes to incite other members of the community to contribute to help grow the business. She believes that even non-knitters (and non-crocheters) will benefit from a growing small business in the area.

“Not many people realize that the yarn industry is filled with yarn made overseas with some popular brands experiencing quality issues. I’d like to show that American made yarn is amazing and high quality.” Gingras added, “I want to continue to support American fiber mills and stock yarn in my shop that is both affordable and of the highest quality.”

If the campaign goal is not met, they will still receive funding (due to Indiegogo’s option for ‘flexible funding’), but they will incur much higher fees. Reaching and surpassing the goal means that Midwest Yarn will, no doubt, be able to have a successful re-branding and attend the 2015 National Needle Arts Association Convention as a wholesaler. This convention is a major trade show in the industry where yarn companies are able to meet face-to-face with yarn shop owners like Gingras and take wholesale orders. Attending this convention is an opportunity for the yarn line to gain maximum exposure.

To learn more about Gingras’ plans and contribute to the shop’s campaign, click here. This is the only way the public can put in an order for the new yarn, including an exclusive sock yarn.