This photo is courtesy of Kraemer Yarns, the day I was there was a very rainy day and I couldn’t get good outside pictures.
While I was in NJ on family business I took a yarn day. I drove to Nazareth PA to meet in person the team at Kraemer Yarns. I arrived just before 10 am when the Yarn Store opens to a warm greeting from Sharon.
Here is an excerpt from their website on their history:
Kraemer Yarns continues its legacy of spinning fine quality yarns for over a century.
At the beginning was Kraemer Hosiery Mills, spinning & creating the most sought after silk stockings made in America.
Time marches on and Kraemer Textiles diversified into carpet, upholstery & industrial yarns becoming one of the premier spinners of American made carpet yarns for companies like Burlington & Mohawk in the 60’s & 70’s. The business continued to diversify developing yarns in areas like paper production machinery, rope yarns and military contracts to name a few. Our mill’s ability to spin novelty yarns for which few other mills in the country had the production capabilities, brought us into the apparel industry. We have worked for “celebrity designers” and well known labels to create traditional & current fashion looks and with the likes of L.L. Bean and Remington developing demanding, hard working outdoor yarns for sweaters, hats, gloves & socks. Kraemer Yarns proudly walked in the opening ceremonies at the winter games of 2014 in the hats & sweaters of our United States Olympic athletes!
Time marches on and Kraemer Textiles diversified into carpet, upholstery & industrial yarns becoming one of the premier spinners of American made carpet yarns for companies like Burlington & Mohawk in the 60’s & 70’s. The business continued to diversify developing yarns in areas like paper production machinery, rope yarns and military contracts to name a few. Our mill’s ability to spin novelty yarns for which few other mills in the country had the production capabilities, brought us into the apparel industry. We have worked for “celebrity designers” and well known labels to create traditional & current fashion looks and with the likes of L.L. Bean and Remington developing demanding, hard working outdoor yarns for sweaters, hats, gloves & socks. Kraemer Yarns proudly walked in the opening ceremonies at the winter games of 2014 in the hats & sweaters of our United States Olympic athletes!
Noticing the unique “twist” in our commercial garment yarns brought hand knitting yarn companies to our door looking to source high quality “maker” yarns & roving. After quite a few years creating & producing yarns for other companies our company president, David Schmidt, decided to branch out & offer our yarns to individual fiber artists through local & regional yarn stores. Kraemer Yarns was born.
I first toured the shop. The very organized cubicles of their yarns (click to see the whole line) and samples in knit and crochet
everywhere. Above is my design for Kraemer Yarns, Au Natural Infinity Scarf on display. (click for details)
The shop is housed is the original mill building
so character is everywhere. The town of Nazareth is very northeast PA in feel and history. They are located not far from I 78 near Easton and Bethlehem PA.
I fell in love with this knitted Perfection Chunky “Steel City” sweater here.
This piece was designed by Beth Aidala. The Caribbean Cover-Up is crocheted with Saucon Sock (click links for more information) I can’t wait to make it, I won’t have it made in time for my next cruise but being in FL it’s just perfect. I would wear it over capris and a tank top.
My private tour started with a mystery box. Sharon took me through the many things that Kraemer Textiles sources fiber for. Above is a sample of 2 discs are for a polisher used on cars.
Carpet samples too. These are custom rug samples. I generally think about wool and fiber as yarn and clothes, this made me realize wool and fibers are used everywhere and they have to come from some source…
One of the many machines used for spinning. These machines are very old and well maintained. When they do die they are saved for parts, imagine the stories they can tell from over a century of spinning….WW I, WWII hoisery, uniforms, 70’s ponchos.
Can you guess what this is? It’s pure linen on left and flax on the right. Very different is feel.
This is a huge carding machine, so many needles it’s scary and dangerous. Respect the machines always.
Racks of bobbins ready for work.
This strange mess is actually the recipe for the color below. Yes their are recipes, each color is weighed out and placed on a dedicated section of a conveyor belt, put through a machine that mixes them,
Then another that blends them still until you have the above result, a beautiful sage green. Maybe next time I can play with some recipes. Sharon is so lucky to actually design the colors we get to use.
Just a snippet (6 seconds) of the enormity of the machine and the noise…The bright light is blocking the machine mixing the components.
A big poster shows Kraemer Yarns products and that they are very proud to be Made in America.
Take a look at their new website and all of their products here.
I am very happy to offer you a chance to win the Crochet Go to Market Bag Kit. This kit includes the yarn and the pattern to make the bag. I have already made one for my cruise, my pool bag. Works up really quick. Made with Tatamy, a cotton/nylon blend.
My bag is in sunny colors, the kit is with muted earthy colors. The bag will be perfect and just in time for the Farmer’s Market Season in most of the country (except FL, ours closes for summer…lol).
I’d love to read any comments about my trip or similar trips you’ve made on your “Yarn Day”.
I really loved my day at Kraemer Yarns and Textiles. Thank you so much for a great day Sharon, Beth and David. It will be a regular stop when I’m in the general area. I intended to leave by 2:30 to beat NJ rush hour….lol You know me and talking, I left at 4 and got stuck right in the middle of it on I 287 and 202 206 in NJ.