This is the third 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 been exciting over the years to see the umbrella of indie yarn expand to include more and more skeins made from locally sourced and milled wool. Though the landscape can be challenging, with several mills and yarn companies closing in recent years, new yarntrepreneurs continue to emerge.
One of them is North Bay Fiber, returning for their second Indie Untangled this October. Launched in 2021 by Jill Zielinski — also known by her designer name, Knitterella — North Bay Fiber specializes in breed-specific, non-Superwash yarns that are 100% sourced and milled in the U.S. Jill also creates kits featuring her designs and runs a brick-and-mortar shop that serves fiber lovers heading into the gateway of “Up North.”
Tell me how North Bay Fiber came to be?
North Bay Fiber was born out of timing, experience, passion, and instinct. I’d worked in the knitting industry for over 20 years as a freelance graphic designer, helping fiber businesses with branding, marketing, and pattern/book layouts, while also designing knitwear patterns for 15+ years under the name Knitterella. When COVID hit in 2020 and much of my freelance work slowed, I turned even more to knitting and felt a pull to create something of my own.
Around that time, while working on a logo project with Zeilinger Wool Mill in Michigan, I asked owner April Zeilinger — half joking, half serious — “How hard would it be to start my own yarn line?” That spark set everything in motion. I knew I wanted to design yarns that would support my patterns and also highlight the beauty of American wool with yarn that is breed-specific, thoughtfully milled, and 100% sourced in the U.S.
Launching North Bay Fiber in 2021 was a natural next step. It allowed me to bring together my experience in design and my passion for yarn into one vision. Today, with the help of my husband and three boys, North Bay Fiber has grown into a true family business, one that celebrates American wool and the community of makers who bring it to life.
What makes your shop different from others?
Every skein at North Bay Fiber starts with wool that is 100% sourced, milled, and hand dyed in the U.S., something I take great pride in. I focus on breed-specific yarns that celebrate the unique qualities of American wool, giving knitters and crocheters materials that feel special, authentic, and deeply connected to the land.
Beyond yarn, I also design patterns, host classes/events, and curate products for makers both online and in our brick-and-mortar shop in Pinconning, Michigan. What truly sets us apart, though, is that it’s a family effort. My husband, our three boys, and even my parents are involved in so many aspects of the business, helping with dyeing, labeling, twisting skeins, setting up at shows, and more. North Bay Fiber isn’t just about yarn; it’s about connection, community, and the joy of building something meaningful together.
Heritage is one of your exclusive Signature Lines. Can you tell us a little bit more about it?
Heritage is the yarn that started it all for North Bay Fiber. Made from 100% Targhee-Polypay wool from sheep raised less than an hour from my shop, it reflects the care and quality of its source. It’s soft, springy, and beautifully dyed. The wool comes from Great Lakes Lamb, a producer certified by the American Wool Council for prioritizing animal care. Because of that partnership, Heritage proudly carries both the Made in America with American Wool stamp of approval and the American Wool Council certification, labels I personally haven’t seen on any other yarns.
Non-Superwash yet next-to-skin soft, Heritage is a versatile yarn that blocks like a dream and creates pieces built to last, connecting knitters to the land, the animals, and the story behind every skein.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned while developing this yarn line?
Patience has been the biggest lesson. Developing a yarn line is a slow, detailed process, from sourcing the wool to collaborating with the mill. I’ve learned how important it is to be hands-on and deeply involved in every step, from asking the right questions about spinning, ply, and twist to working closely with farmers and mill partners. That attention to detail ensures the final yarn comes out exactly as I envision it.
I’ve also learned the importance of being flexible and ready to pivot, because in this process things rarely go exactly as planned. Whether it’s a supply chain delay, the way weather impacts a wool harvest, a mill hiccup or closure, or even how dyes react to different yarns, being open to adjustments often leads to unexpected solutions, and sometimes even better results than I imagined.
Perhaps the most rewarding lesson is that creating a yarn line isn’t just about making a produc. It’s about building relationships. The community that has grown around North Bay Fiber amazes me every day, and those connections with farmers, mills, and knitters are what make this work so meaningful.
What inspires your colorways?
My colorways are inspired first by what I personally love, colors I enjoy wearing and shades that round out a thoughtful palette. I’m also deeply influenced by Michigan and my surroundings. The lakes, wildlife, and natural landscapes right outside my door often spark ideas, and those tones naturally make their way into my dye pots. It’s a balance of personal taste and a reflection of the place I call home. Even the names of my colors carry that story, and choosing them is something I love to do with the help of my boys.
Besides yarn, you also design knitting patterns! Tell us a bit more about your patterns and which one is your favorite?
Designing has always been part of who I am, long before I started North Bay Fiber. My patterns focus on clean lines, graphic colorwork, timeless silhouettes, and wearable knits, pieces that feel modern but are classic enough to stay in your wardrobe for years. I especially love creating sweaters and shawls that knitters reach for again and again.
Choosing a favorite is tough, but right now my Journey Pullover and Journey Cardigan stand out. They’re simple, classic, and fun to knit, versatile pieces that pair with just about anything. I find myself reaching for them constantly, which to me is the sign of a truly successful design.
Can you share some of your plans for Indie Untangled?
I’m excited to bring a full lineup of North Bay Fiber yarns and kits, along with a few special colors and one-of-a-kind pieces created just for Indie Untangled. I’ll also have new samples on display so knitters can see and feel how the yarns work up in finished projects. This will be my second year vending at Indie Untangled, and I’m truly looking forward to connecting with so many makers in person, sharing my yarns, and being part of such a vibrant event. And if all goes as planned, I’ll have a brand-new yarn to debut there, which I can’t wait to share!
How did you learn to knit?
I learned how to knit in my early 20s while away at college. I was in a graphic design program and wanted a break from all the computer work but still craved a creative outlet. I picked up a book on knitting — looking for something that would let me be creative, give me a sense of accomplishment, and hopefully serve as a stress reliever — and quickly fell in love with the craft. I haven’t put my needles down since.
What are some of your favorite FOs you or your customers have made with your yarn?
It’s honestly hard to pick a single project that stands out, because what amazes me most is simply seeing knitters and crocheters choose North Bay Fiber for their makes. I know how valuable our making time is, and the fact that someone picks up my yarn, out of all the options out there, for their sweater, shawl, or blanket means so much to me. Every FO feels special because it represents someone trusting North Bay Fiber with their creativity and precious knitting time. That’s what truly warms my heart and reminds me that we’ve built something meaningful together.
What’s currently on your needles?
Too many projects! (Isn’t that the knitter’s way?) Right now, I’m working on a new sweater design in my Heritage Sport base, plus a cozy shawl that will become a kit next summer. I also have a sweater on my needles for my husband, Ed. I’m really hoping to have it finished in time for Indie Untangled so he can wear it there! And, like most knitters, I have a small array of random projects I just couldn’t resist casting on.
I’m constantly working on new knitwear designs. There are always ideas swirling around in my head. Since starting North Bay Fiber, it’s been harder to release patterns at the pace I once did; there just aren’t enough hours in the day. That said, I’m finding more balance between running the business and making time to design, and I’m hopeful that in the near future knitters will start to see new patterns from me on a more regular basis again.
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