This is the fourth in a series of blog posts featuring the fabulous sponsors of Indie Untangled, taking place on October 17, 2025, in person in Saugerties, NY, and online. Tickets are available and selling fast!
It’s always inspiring to hear the story behind how a small business comes to life. I first met Veronica of Lemonwood at a few industry events when she was co-owner of Dream in Color Yarn. At the 2023 h+h americas fiber trade show, she introduced me to the Mini Minder — a clever yarn holder that keeps your ball from rolling away while you knit on the go (or down an airplane or bus aisle!). I loved the idea and quickly asked her to send me some to sell at that year’s Indie Untangled.
This October, Veronica and her son, Colm, will join us for the second time in their own booth at Indie Untangled. Since their last visit, they’ve expanded into lifestyle products — including phone stands and straps, so you can share the Lemonwood love with your non-crafting friends, too.
Tell me how Lemonwood came to be?
You may know me as the former co-owner of Dream in Color Yarn. I was often running around the warehouse checking on staff, dyers, and the front office all day. While I walked, I would be knitting samples for shows and shops. I found myself shoving my yarn into my pocket, only to have it fall out, often in the dyeing area while leaning over a pot, and get filthy and wet. I knew there had to be a better way to keep my projects safe. I asked my son, Colm, to design something that would hold my yarn on my wrist by a strap while I walked. Within an hour, using a small laser cutter, the Mini Minder was born. That spark quickly grew into Lemonwood, our small, family-run business dedicated to creating beautiful, problem-solving tools for fiber artists.
What made you create the Mini Minder?
The Mini Minder was born out of pure necessity. I was inspired by the functionality of a phone wrist strap but I wanted something that could hold and manage yarn instead of a phone. Colm sketched and built the very first version. From the moment I tried it I knew we had something special. It solved the problem of tangled, runaway yarn balls, simultaneously making projects portable, beautiful, and even more fun.
Is it true that every Mini Minder is made by hand in your AZ studio?
Yes! Every single Mini Minder is handmade in our Tucson, Arizona, studio. We are very proud to only use art thoughtfully designed by actual people. We create the original art digitally and then print, cut, and carefully assemble each piece. Even the leather straps are handmade in our studio. Each Mini Minder passes through our small team’s hands, making it not only a tool, but a piece of functional art.
How do you come up with the designs you put on your Mini Minders?
Our designs are inspired by the world around us: nature, animals, mid-century modern art, Japanese aesthetics, seasonal celebrations, and even a few playful pop culture nods. Colm leads the design work, and we often brainstorm together as a family. We also love to collaborate with yarn companies to bring their ideas to life. It’s a joy finding inspiration in their custom-dyed colorways and logos.
Besides the Mini Minder, what other products does Lemonwood carry?
While the Mini-Minder is our flagship product, we’ve expanded into a wide range of fiber arts and lifestyle tools and accessories. We have implements for making your experience with your Mini Minder even more versatile. We have created tools with fiber artists in mind, like our Info Minders (acrylic bag tags), Tote Minders (a project bag hanger), gorgeous stitch marker bundles, stitch fixers, yarn cutters, pin cushions, and needle threaders. We carry curated tote and project bags, and sewing and Sashiko supplies. We’ve even started making lifestyle products, like handmade phone straps, clips, and stands. Each product is created or curated with the same goal: making the crafting process easier, more joyful, and more beautiful.
With tons of Mini Minder designs in your shop, which one is your favorite?
That’s like choosing a favorite child! But if I had to pick, I’d say it’s usually our newest design, because it represents our latest spark of creativity. Personally, I’ve loved our Dark Flock (little black-faced sheep in a purple field) and Peach Out (a playful peach motif). But the one that truly feels special is the very first Mini Minder we ever made, Sunrise. It reminds me how far we’ve come.
How did you come up with the name Lemonwood?
We wanted a name that was fresh, approachable, and natural. “Lemon” represents brightness, joy, and a pop of energy. “Wood” speaks to the heart of what we do — crafting functional, handmade tools from natural materials. Together, Lemonwood reflects both our aesthetic and our values.
Can you share some of your plans for Indie Untangled?
We’re thrilled to be part of Indie Untangled! We’ll be showcasing some of our most beloved Mini Minder designs as well as introducing fresh, limited-edition ones. We’re also bringing some of our accessories that pair perfectly with the Mini Minder, like project bags and Minder Hooks, so customers can build a full crafting setup. Of course, we’re also excited to meet makers in person and share the story behind our work.
Where is the most interesting place you or your customers have taken the Mini Minder?
One of my favorite things is seeing where our customers take their Mini Minders. They’ve been spotted at knitting retreats in Iceland, on cross-country RV trips, at sports games, and even while waiting in lines at Disneyland. I think my favorite recently was seeing a customer take their Ōnsen Mini Minder to Japan to meet some real macaques soaking in the hot springs! That was such a treat.
What’s currently on your needles?
I’m currently working on the Mirdza crochet tee that is on the cover of Laine Let’s Crochet!
