Kelbourne Woolens was founded in 2008 by Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn. After running a sole distributorship for almost a decade, in 2017 we poured our years of experience into our own line of yarns under the Kelbourne Woolens brand. Our primary focus is creating yarn with accessibility, quality, and functionality. The yarns are meant to be worked with, worn, and enjoyed by all, with as few barriers to entry as possible.

Kelbourne Woolens is for those who love the craft as much as we do.

We strive to design yarns that fill a gap – not only within the Kelbourne Woolens line itself, but in the industry overall. Working directly with mills throughout the world, we are able to work closely with manufacturers who share the same core beliefs of high-quality production paired with environmental and social practices that respect and value the planet. Over the years we have stayed closely connected with all aspects of running the business. From invoicing, customer service, pattern writing, sample knitting, social media, graphic design, color development, and website management, we still do it all! We are forever grateful to our customers who have supported us along the way. Whether you were a friend from Rosie’s Yarn Cellar in Philadelphia back in the day, or are a brand new shop owner, thank you!

Partnerships

In addition to our own line of Kelbourne Woolens yarns, we also distribute yarns and products we stand behind, not just as businesswomen, but as makers ourselves:

• BC Garn, a GOTS certified organic line of yarns from Denmark.
• Soak, makers of a natural and biodegradable wool wash and no-starch ironing spray made in North America that comes in fresh, fun scents.
• Navia, a line of yarns from the Faroe Islands that balances tradition with luxury at an affordable price, with fantastic pattern support.

The excellent yarns we distribute, including our own brand of yarns, patterns and notions are sold at independent yarn shops. For the most current retailer information in N. America, please check out our map here.

For wholesale inquiries, please feel free to email info@kelbournewoolens.com, give us a call at 267.766.5480, or fill out a wholesale request form here.

Values

Our warehouse is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified. GOTS certification ensures that we maintain a rigorous environmental standard in our warehouse with the products we use every day, and that our employees are treated fairly and earn a competitive and living wage. You can view our GOTS Certificate here. We also support the Fight for Fifteen, and none of our employees – including our student interns – make less than $15 per hour.

Kelbourne Woolens welcomes any and all regardless of race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, size, or age. We strive to feature and support a diverse and inclusive range of customers. Over the years we have made a conscientious effort to giveback to the community in the way of yarn donations, volunteering, education, and cash donations to organizations that align with our beliefs, such RAICES, CAIR, Brigada Solidaria del Oeste, End the Backlog, Decarcerate PA, ACLU, Black and Missing (BAMFI), and Color of Change..

To keep up with new yarn and color development, the publication of our free and for sale patterns, tutorials on expanding your knitting and crochet skills, and information on the happenings in our busy lives, please check out the blog, follow us on Instagram, or sign up to receive our newsletter.

We’re so glad you are here!