In the Denver metro area, a thriving community of fiber arts enthusiasts has emerged, drawing artists and hobbyists alike to a variety of shops and organizations dedicated to crafting with textiles.
From hand-painted cross-stitch patterns to knitted wonders and intricate quilts, the appeal of fiber arts is alive and well, and the shop owners take pride in the liveliness and inclusivity of the scene.
“We all have different vibes,” said Marsha Corn, owner of The Tangled Ball in Edgewater. “We all carry some of the same, some different, we all specialize. (But) we’re in it for the same reason because we all love fiber and we all want to succeed—maybe make our customers love fibers as much as we do.”
The Tangled Ball: A Community Hub
Located at 5505 W. 20th Ave., The Tangled Ball is much more than just a yarn shop; it serves as a community hub where individuals of all ages and skill levels gather to engage in the fiber arts.
“We have classes here, we have workshops here, we have events here,” Corn explained. “It’s a safe place for people to come and just hang out and create.”
Inspired by her mother, Corn’s love for fiber arts blossomed in the comfort of yarn shops, eventually leading her to open her own business. During her time spent knitting and crocheting with friends, Corn envisioned a similar space that could serve her community.
“So my mom taught me how to knit and crochet (and) do all that kind of stuff,” shared Corn. “I’ve always wanted to open my own business, so I proposed the idea to my husband about (opening) a yarn store, and it was one of the few that he was like, ‘Yeah, we could do that.'”
Choosing a location that fosters community interactions was paramount for Corn. Situated within a marketplace that offers food and drink, The Tangled Ball provides ample parking and serves as the perfect environment for its patrons.
Opening its doors in July 2020, after setbacks caused by the pandemic, The Tangled Ball has grown into a cherished space that supports its members.
“We solve each other’s world problems. We get people through divorces. We get people through breakups. We get people through what to make for dinner. It’s just such a great community,” Corn remarked.
For Corn, fiber arts like knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint are not just hobbies; they are expressive art forms that contribute to mental well-being.
“It’s the yarn. The color of the yarn. The texture of the yarn. The composition of the yarn. (It) has linens and silks and rolls blended into it, and it’s just beautiful,” she said. “It’s an art form of design patterns. I do say we don’t knit or crochet now out of necessity, we knit out of joy or hobby.”
She believes that engaging in fiber arts allows individuals to step away from their daily stresses, finding a moment of peace amidst life’s challenges.
“I’m not thinking about all the junk going on up here in the world,” Corn reflected. “I’m focused on what I’m doing, even if it’s just 10 minutes. I’m not thinking about what to make for dinner. I’m not thinking about politics. I’m not thinking about religion. I’m just concentrating on what’s in front of me.”
Diversions Needlepoint: A Legacy Revived
In parallel, the world of needlepoint also thrives in Denver, especially at Diversions Needlepoint, co-owned by Cari Davis and her daughter Mandy Adams. Davis was inspired by her late mother, who instilled in her a deep appreciation for needlepoint.
“I saw her doing it and wanted to do it,” said Davis, reflecting on her passion for the craft. “(I love) the color, the people, the challenge, the creativity, and I love the tactile. I enjoy the kinesthetic.”
Initially opened in Vail, Diversions Needlepoint now resides at 410 W. Hampden Ave., continuing its legacy of over 50 years in providing fiber arts supplies and expertise to the community.
With Adams at her side, who began making her own projects at just four years old, the shop has evolved to include custom design services, showcasing her talent in hand-painted canvases that cater to needlepoint projects.
“I was just born artistic,” Adams stated. “I always drew and painted and played with color from the time I was just a little one. (I am) awful at math and everything else, but I can kind of draw.”
The staff at Diversions consists of both paid employees and passionate volunteers, creating a welcoming environment for patrons seeking guidance and support in their needlepoint endeavors.
“We’ve got a great group of women and wonderful people that volunteer here to help people,” Davis expressed. “Every day is different. You never know what’s going to happen or who’s going to walk in the door, and that makes it fun.”
For Adams, the creative challenge and opportunity to make lasting heirlooms motivate her work at the shop.
“You’re making heirlooms,” Adams added, emphasizing the significance of the craft.
As Diversions celebrates over five decades of service, its commitment to fostering a community of creative makers remains a cornerstone of its mission.
“We hope to keep making people happy and inspire future generations and to keep needlework alive,” Davis said.
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum: Weaving Stories
Another vital player in the Denver fiber arts landscape is the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum located in Golden. This museum is an institution dedicated entirely to the appreciation, history, and education of quilting.
Located at 200 Violet St. Suite 140, the museum serves as a place where visitors can fully experience the essence of quilts.
“It’s a place where people really find an opportunity to experience what quilts are all about,” said Holly Bailey, the museum’s education manager. “And quilts are all about stories—stories of the people who made the quilts, stories of people who owned the quilts and got to experience the quilts. Even brand new quilts, the makers almost always have a story of why they made the quilt or things that happened along the way while they were making it.”
With an impressive collection of over 850 quilts, the museum is dedicated to both preservation and education. This balance of priorities allows individuals to witness quilting’s rich history first-hand.
Bailey noted, “(With) the permanent collection, preservation is kind of the primary thing that we’re concerned with, and then exhibiting so that people can see those quilts.”
Supplementing the permanent collection is the educational collection containing quilts that may not be suitable for permanent display yet are invaluable for teaching purposes.
“We use those quilts to be able to bring them out. We take them out in trunk shows around the community and (country). The audience can touch them. So the education collection has the ones that you can get up close and personal with,” Bailey explained.
Initially, Bailey’s journey into quilting began as a means to create meaningful connections with her family. She and her sister crafted a quilt filled with memories for their mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
“My sister was a quilter and she was the major caretaker for my parents and lived very close to them. I lived 1,500 miles away,” Bailey shared. “So as a way to help her stay engaged in the story of her life, my sister and I decided to make a quilt of our mother’s memories.”
According to Bailey, many individuals turn to quilting for sentimental reasons, and many find themselves captivated by the storytelling inherent in the craft.
“I think a lot of people get involved because of friends or family or somebody else. Maybe they learn it from their relatives or people they’re around. But it’s very creative. Most of the time it’s very relaxing. Touching fabric has a value in and of itself. It’s almost like giving somebody a hug when you give them a quilt because it’s something that’s going to wrap around them and they’re going to find comfort in it,” Bailey elaborated.
Visitors to the museum come from all walks of life, from children to seniors, each taking advantage of diverse offerings, from an extensive library to hands-on classes.
Classes accommodate every level of expertise, offering lessons in everything from beginner quilting to advanced textile arts, with opportunities to explore techniques like hand-stitching and digital-to-fabric design. A recent class even helped participants translate photographs into quilt designs.
The museum also hosts a summer kids’ camp, giving young artists ages 8 to 16 the chance to conceptualize and create their own quilts from design to completion over four weeks in June.
Bailey emphasized, “They do everything. From the design of it through all of the sewing, all of the quilting, the binding.”
Additionally, the museum offers free community groups including hand-stitching circles and study groups that encourage collaboration and shared learning.
While the fiber arts community in the Denver area thrives with diversity, Bailey expresses a desire for greater collaboration among different organizations.
“There’s a lot of variety, but we don’t come together very often and really trade ideas and crossover in our teaching,” Bailey noted. “It would be nice if we could maybe be a little more intentional about that.”
To foster such collaboration, the museum is set to partner with the Embroidery Guild of America through workshops that will focus on crafts like crazy quilts that merge intricate embroidery and stitching techniques.
Currently, the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum has expanded into a third unit of their building, with the vision of creating a comprehensive quilting and fiber arts complex for the community.
The overall goal is to enhance the destination experience for both locals and visitors alike, solidifying Denver’s status as a vibrant center for fiber arts.
image source from：https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/04/22/denver-fiber-arts-scene/
