Our Story
Small batches. Big personality. Hand-dyed in Peru, Vermont.
Every skein has a story. Here's ours.
The Wooly Caterpillar is a small, family-run yarn business in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Behind the color is our Fox & Owl Dye Lab, where we turn places we love, people we know, and ideas that refuse to leave us alone into hand-dyed yarn for knitters and crocheters.
We believe beautiful yarn should feel special without feeling out of reach. We work in small batches, pay attention to the details, and make colorways that have stories worth telling. Because choosing yarn should be part of the fun.
How a knitting habit became a dye lab
Our founder and chief creative officer, Vicky, first learned to knit after moving back to southern Vermont. At first, scarves and hats were plenty adventurous; sweaters and colorwork were firmly in the “maybe someday” category. But the yarn itself? That was irresistible: soft, comforting, colorful, and full of possibility.
Then life—and a career in emergency nursing—got busy. Knitting took a back seat. After the intense pandemic years and the burnout that followed, a forgotten blanket kit helped bring knitting back into Vicky's life. Family members patiently answered questions through frogged hats, tinked-back stitches, and all the experiments that come with learning something new.
Scarves became sweaters. Sweaters became colorwork. And eventually a question popped up: “Why can't I dye my own yarn?”
That's where the idea for The Wooly Caterpillar and Fox & Owl Dye Lab began. Building this business together has been exciting, daunting, and occasionally a little chaotic—but this time, we're building something for ourselves.
Meet the people behind the color
Vicky — Founder & Chief Creative Officer
Chief color dreamer, knitter, and the person most likely to ask, “What happens if we try this?” After years in nursing, Vicky found a new kind of creative energy in dye pots, yarn, and color stories.
Brian — Financial Guru & Many-Hats-Wearer
Brian brings years of business and retail experience, an Advanced EMT's calm under pressure, and the perspective of a longtime ski patroller. He's also our yarn photographer, an outdoors-inspired colorway collaborator, and an increasingly familiar face in our videos.
Abbie — Web Consultant & Creative Assistant
Abbie helps with the creative work behind the scenes and the digital side of the business, turning big ideas into things that actually make it out into the world.
Evan — Technical Assistant
Evan is our go-to technical problem solver, helping keep the computers and the behind-the-scenes technology running when we'd rather be playing with yarn.
Made to be used. Made to make you smile.
We hope our yarn inspires you to try the pattern you've been eyeing, cast on something ambitious, or simply enjoy making something with your own two hands. Every order supports a little family business in Vermont, and we're genuinely glad you're here.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Now grab your hooks and needles. You're one of us.