Our Story
My friend Mary Ellen and I dreamed up Dappled Fern Fibers while knitting on a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with an amazing group of women. We were reflecting on our community's hunger for fiber and connection during the pandemic and began imagining a space to nurture these things.
With encouragement and support from many dear friends, our online shop and virtual events launched in November 2020. Then, we were able to open our brick-and-mortar space in downtown Grand Marais in July 2021! Our team as changed and grown, and we are thrilled to continue offering a place to make, gather, and be in Grand Marais.
We strive to:
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Create community-focused space to nurture connection and empower creativity on Minnesota’s North Shore.
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Offer a reliable, welcoming source for high-quality fiber and supplies.
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Lift up local designers, artists, fiber sheds, and woman- and BIPOC-owned companies.
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Celebrate and protect Lake Superior, the Boreal Forest, and the BWCAW.
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Craft with the seasons through the liturgical calendar and wheel of the year.
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Create an intergenerational space where LGTBQ+ folx belong, black lives matter, and size inclusivity is standard.
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Seek opportunities to support the amazing fiber folks, community, artists, groups, and organizations in the area.
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Contribute to a vibrant, diversified, and resilient arts and culture economy on the North Shore.
We envision:
An inclusive North Shore fiber community that welcomes, supports, and respects people of all ages, sizes, races, genders and gender expressions, crafts, and skill level. A downtown where locals and tourists gather and belong. A resilient, diversified local economy that adapts through the ups and downs of an uncertain climate future. A creative local community that thrives along with a tourists-based arts and culture economy..
Our timeline:
Phase 1: December 2020. Online shop - Yarn and kits for sale in time for the holidays. Online Solstice Knit Along and Makers Circle. Virtual community gatherings. Newsletter spotlighting patterns and artists we love!
Phase 2: 2021-2023: Brick and mortar shop! Expanded to support fiber arts like tapestry weaving, crochet, and embroidery! Created our Maker's Studio, a cozy room in the shop where we host classes, groups, and retreats. Created Fall Knit Camp, Sweater Support Group, Beach Knitting, Unconventional Book Club. Created Today at Dappled Fern...Insta videos. Created Knit Coaching, private sessions for help with your projects. Launched Patreon and Online fiber circles. Collaborated to offer Northern Minnesota's first Yarn Shop Hop!
Phase 3: 2024-2026: More retreats! Spring Knit Camp. Seasonal Mini Retreats. The Wandering Fern: A club for folks who can't always be on the North Shore...coming Fall 2024. Creative Coworking...coming Fall 2024. More workhorse yarns. Reservable Maker's Studio.
Our Team:
Learn more about the people who make Dappled Fern such a special place!
