Interview: Nia Miles of The Crochet Cove
Could you tell us a little bit about what inspired you to create your own yarn business?
Ever since I graduated college in 2004, I knew I wanted to have my own business. I used to want to be a wedding planner (the romantic in me). Then I had dreams about having my own business consulting firm, but my heart wasn’t in going back to school for more degrees. In 2019 I found myself furloughed, and after the third week, reality hit that I did not have a plan b for taking care of my family. I also realized how infrequently I saw brown hands in crochet tutorials on YouTube, so I thought I’d do video tutorials and build a social media following, not realizing how long those really take to monetize. I considered selling finished pieces, but quickly realized that making what people want took the joy out of the craft for me. I remembered I had some bare yarn in the house and had a light bulb moment. I started researching how to dye yarn, and the rest is history.
How did you choose the name "The Crochet Cove"?
So way back, before I even dreamed of dyeing yarn, I wanted a place to share the items I was crocheting, instead of just sharing them on my regular social media. I wanted to choose a name that invoked a sense of calm and relaxation in anyone who came across my feed. I came up with The Crochet Cove. Anyone who’s done any sort of naming knows how hard it can be to come up with catchy names, so when I decided to start my yarn business, instead of starting over, I decided to keep the name and move forward from there.
Who's on the Crochet Cove team? What do they do?
The Crochet Cove is largely a one woman show. I am everything you know and love about the brand. I develop and test the colors. I select the yarn bases. I dye, wash, and twist the yarn. I fulfill orders. My nearly 13 year old daughter, Noelle, helps finalize color formulas, assists in naming the colors, and labels the yarn.
What inspires your beautiful colorways?
My colors are inspired by things I encounter in life, be that places, emotions, experiences, epiphanies, and recently, pop culture.
How do you select the names for your colorways?
Hmmm...when possible, and if the name is catchy enough, I pick names associated with the color’s inspiration. In my recent collection, inspired by the HBO Series “Lovecraft Country”, the colors were inspired by the show’s leading ladies and named to represent the respective character’s defining moments or traits.
What colorway are you "dyeing" to add to your collection this year?
I have my eye on more neutrals in the brown family, golds, and purples.
What is your favorite method or style of dyeing?
While I love dyeing my solids, I would say speckling and multis are my favorite. The methods are more artistic and the results are unpredictable.
What does a normal dye week look like for you?
As a small batch and relatively new dyer, I don’t have a normal dye week. What and how much I dye largely depends on orders, whether I’ve done preorders, and if I’m restocking my shop. I typically dye in the evenings after my full time job and on Sundays. Saturdays are reserved for shipping and rest.
In learning how to dye yarn, what did you find the most interesting? Any surprises?
Of course dyeing has come with much trial and error. I love watching how color blends turn out and how the blends respond to different dye methods. The most interesting thing has been watching how colors take to different bases and how they set, depending on the blends. I like to dye the same colors across multiple bases. Sometimes they come out very similar, and sometimes they’re very different.
Do you ever experience creative blocks? If so, how do you overcome this?
Usually creative blocks come from some sort of fatigue, so I allow myself time to rest. I take a break from yarn and just enjoy life. I spend time with the kids, cook new things, watch new shows, and even take trips.
Are you a knitter, crocheter, or do you practice multiple fiber arts?
I am a crocheter, knitter, and aspiring spinner.
What do you most enjoy about stitching?
I love watching the yarn transform into the finished object. I love beautiful stitch work and a designer’s clever use of stitches. Stitching is also meditative and therapeutic for me.
Do you have a favorite item to stitch on road trips?
It’s usually whatever WIP I have, though I try not to take anything that’s going to require multiple color changes or techniques. Lacework is a big no for road trips for me.
When you partner with a yarn shop to do a trunk show, what qualities do you look for?
I look for shops and owners that match my energy and personality. I hold my values close and like working with people who share them.
You also work with sample makers; how do you select your sample makers?!
I start with people who have a genuine interest in working with my yarn. I also like to see examples of their work, so having a social media presence is helpful. I also like to work with folks who have testing or sample making experience.
If you were to suggest a yarn base for a beginning stitcher who has fallen in love with your yarn like we have, which base would you recommend? Why?
I would recommend Retreat DK for beginners. It’s a good alternative to worsted weight (which we do not carry at the moment). I always recommend beginners start with at least 5mm hooks/needles, and DK weight yarn pairs well with these.
How does dyeing add happiness to your daily life?
Just like everything else yarn, dyeing is quite meditative to me. I sometimes zone out with good music and go to town. I also love watching people create with my yarn. I am always stunned and have to do a double take, like - Oh my gosh! I made that!
There are a lot of changes happening in the fiber arts industry right now; what positive change do you hope to see happen in the fiber community?
I would love for it to be easier for BIPOC members of the community to be able to share our truths and experiences without them being challenged. I want all crafters to be able to coexist and have difficult discussions. The only way forward is through.
What positive impact do you hope to have in the world through The Crochet Cove?
I dream of uniting the world through my brand. I want to foster an environment where we learn and grow through understanding and overcoming our differences.
What advice would you give to others wanting to follow their creative dreams?
Just do it! Yes, do some research. Have an idea of what you’re getting into, but don’t talk yourself out of it by overthinking. Another successful, small business owner once said, “Start now. Perfect later.”
Your business has flourished over the last year; what advice would you give to others about starting a business? What do you wish you knew before you had started your business?
I’m an advocate of just doing it. BUT, a little planning never hurts. If I had to do it all over again, I would have done more work on a business plan. Yes, business plans take time and effort, and some people even outsource the task, but I believe I’d be much further along if I had put in that effort at the beginning. Our industry is a hard one to research quietly, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Working as a dyer can be physically draining! What self-care do you practice?
I am a huge fan of baths! I add Epsom salts and essential oils or Luxuree brand (not a typo) bath soaks and scrubs. I am also not short on my supply of WIPs. I unplug from social media and binge a good show.
What are your yarnie dreams for 2021?
To fill in color blanks in my palette. I’d also love to expand my customer base outside of the U.S. and Canada.
We’d love to know more about your weekly After Dark events! How did you come up with the idea and what are your hopes for it?
So After Dark came from a desire to want to connect with my customer base as Nia, the woman. I have a hard time operating on social media as a businesswoman or salesperson. I am not a salesperson, but I enjoy connecting with people. The hope is to build relationships and let my hair down. My hope is that it becomes a staple in our community. We just have Wild, unbridled fun.
Connect with The Crochet Cove
Website: www.thecrochetcove.com
Instagram: @thecrochetcove
Facebook: The Crochet Cove
Tik Tok: The Crochet Cove
YouTube: The Crochet Cove