Craft Focus - Feb/Mar 2020 (Issue 77)

111 PROFILE Tell us a little about Selected Yarns. The company helps small niche labels from overseas enter the European market. We also have two brands that we call our own – BC Garn and Kremke Soul Wool. My mother ran a yarn store in Hamburg, and I have been a passionate knitter since the age of eight. By 21, I was Germany’s youngest yarn shop owner, before becoming bankrupt at the age of 22. Today, I’m 56 and have studied English and business administration. All these experiences have given me a good understanding of the market and the needs of both retailers and consumers. At Selected Yarns, we focus on products that allow knitters and designers to live up to their creative potential. The BC Garn collection features seven GOTS-certified yarns, perfect for those who require sustainable materials. We also represent Cowlgirl Blues, as well as a selection of other brands in the German-speaking part of Europe. BC Garn is known for its wide range of GOT-certified yarn. Are you seeing increased demand for products with an eco-friendly provenance? Absolutely! The save the planet movement has reached the knitting industry and a lot of people are asking where their materials come from, paying particular attention to how animals are kept and whether yarns are produced in a fair way. The GOTS standards even control employment conditions like payment, safety and social welfare. All parties in the production line are checked by independent inspectors on a regular basis. How would you advise a retailer who is interested in stocking your products? The easiest way is to register on our website - we will validate all B2B accounts immediately. After that, all stockists are welcome to order online, and of course, orders can also be placed by email or phone. Selected Yarns will be exhibiting at CHSI Stitches in 2020 – what can visitors to your stand expect? We’ll be showcasing a wide selection of ‘down to earth’ yarns a range of colours. I will be there with Caroline Tardy, my French and UK representative. We are both ex-shop owners, which makes us very knowledgeable partners. What’s coming up next? We hope to be able to present our latest baby Semilla Pura, a TS-certified pure wool. It’s woollen spun and partly marled, available in six natural colours. In terms of trends, look out for natural fibre yarns and simple yet elegant top-down designs in 2020. Spinning a yarn Selected Yarns distributes a selection of carefully chosen knitting brands to shops across Europe. Owner Britta Kremke explains what the company has to offer UK retailers selected-yarns.com