Dear Yarn Factory customers,
As you may have seen on social media, we are closing Yarn Factory in April 2025. This was not a decision we made lightly or without tremendous (often agonizing) thought.
We are deeply grateful for the fiber producers from border-to-border, coast-to-coast who have trusted us to process their fiber. We’ve processed tens of thousands of pounds of fiber into millions of yards of yarn for hundreds of farms across 30+ states.
We can truthfully say that our decision has nothing to do with a lack of demand. This year marks Jessie’s 10th year of fiber processing (about 27.7% of her life). While it might seem odd to move on at our peak, it is the right time for Jessie. It is the right time for Dirk. We both feel it’s time for a new adventure.
That said, we want to assure you that we are not closing immediately and that fiber processing continues while we wind down our operations. We will be operating the mill business as usual into April 2025.
It is our expectation that much of our fiber backlog will be processed prior to our last day of production. Understandably, we are not accepting new fiber except for small batches (under 10lbs) on a case-by-case basis and dependent on our production schedule. Priority is given to the fiber already in our mill.
And, yes, the mill is for sale. This a great opportunity for somebody looking to own their own business while having built-in customer demand. You likely won’t find a better opportunity to start your own mill than this. We have proven that small-scale fiber processing can be a viable business with growth opportunities for those who are not afraid of hard work. We’ll work with any potential owner to ensure you start off strong and have the tools you need to be successful.
It is hard to put into words what your support has meant to us over the years. It has been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside of so many of you at every step of Yarn Factory’s journey. The trust you’ve given us to transform your fiber into yarn is something we never took for granted.
Every skein we crafted told a unique story, with Yarn Factory as our stage and you as our cheering audience. If your support was any indication, every skein earned a standing ovation.
Thank you for standing with us every step of the way.
— Jessie and Dirk
Why are you closing Yarn Factory?
We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished with Yarn Factory. Demand for processing has gone up every single year since we started. We have no doubt that trend would have continued indefinitely. For that, we are grateful.
We have consistently processed between 3,000 – 5,000 lbs of fiber per year with just two people (with some additional part-time help). Realistically, this equipment can do twice that number and still not be pushed to the limits.
Jessie has been processing fiber for 10 years and we’ve been raising alpacas for almost 11 years. Several years ago we expanded our farm to include agritourism activities, which led to us welcoming thousands of people to the farm in 2024. A lofty feat driven entirely by word-of-mouth. This success, however, saw us spending more time away from the things we are the most passionate about.
Put simply, there are only 24 hours in the day and we’re using all 24 of them right now from January 1 to December 31.
We’ve missed out a lot of family events and put a lot of hobbies on hold while juggling the demands of two separate businesses. While we don’t regret any of it, we knew that it was time to decide what our future held. Ultimately, it is far easier to transition Yarn Factory (or the equipment) to a new owner than it is our farm (since it’s our home and all).
Beyond that, we felt it was time for a new adventure. As Jessie pointed out the other day, over 1/4 of her life has been spent processing fiber. While Yarn Factory is only 4 years old, Jessie has been processing fiber for 10 years. That is a long time to do anything. It’s even longer when are only in your mid-30’s (we know, we’re young).
We don’t know quite what our next adventure is, but we know it is necessary to wind down Yarn Factory before we can commit to it.
Will my fiber be processed?
Yes – if you fiber is in our mill currently or you have been on our fiber processing waitlist, we anticipate being able to complete most orders prior to our closure in mid-April.
If, for some reason, we are unable to complete our fiber processing backlog, your fiber will be returned to you either at your farm or forwarded to another fiber mill for processing.
Can I get my fiber back?
If you wish to have your fiber sent back without processing, we are happy to work with you directly to arrange this.
Will somebody else be taking over your mill?
We hope so! We have had an absolute blast processing fiber and hope that somebody else (locally or elsewhere) jumps at the opportunity to get into the business. We’ll provide training and guidance should a new owner be interested.
In the event that somebody does acquire the mill, we will work them to provide that as an option for fiber processing services to our customers.
Interested in learning more about the opportunity to acquire our equipment? Head over here for the equipment price list.
How can I inquire about purchasing the mill?
If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to us directly.
Does the mill have to move after being closed?
As of right now, Yarn Factory could stay in its current location (30 minutes south of Fargo) in its current setup if somebody desired. We are in a leased space that was custom-fitted for our mill during the building’s original construction in 2020. We would be happy to work with the current landlord and any prospective buyer.
Of course, the mill can be moved anywhere in the United States. We will assist the prospective buyer on moving the equipment (including delivery at the buyer’s expense) if desired.
For reference, the equipment does fit into a 26′ box truck.
What about custom socks?
We will not be making custom socks during this wind-down period.
However, we do work with a sock mill in Minnesota who has made socks for us and our clients in the past. They have a 10lbs yarn minimum and are a family-owned business who do good quality work. We would be happy to process your fiber into yarn based on their specifications (if requested).
What's next for you after Yarn Factory closes?
Probably sleep for at least a few days. Maybe a vacation (it’s been a while).
We will still be operating our farm Ten Seven Acres for the upcoming agritourism season, as well as vending at various local arts & craft shows.
Beyond that, we look forward to spending more time with our animals and family. For Jessie, that means being able to spend more time with her horses. For Dirk, it means working on his car collection.