About Us

Off the Beaten Path Yarnhouse is located on an acre of land in an oak grove in the bottom of the original Femrite Farmhouse. A tranquil piece of heaven in the city, we are devoted to furthering the art of knit & crochet.  Yarn, books & tools are here aplenty; plus, 'Class on Demand.' We feature natural fibers, organics & sustainable yarns in alpaca, bamboo, cashmere, corn, cotton, hemp, linen, milk, mohair, rayon, silk & wool. Hand-dyed yarn is manna from above. We believe in thinking globally & acting locally. Yarns, patterns & related items made by local artists & designers support small business, cooperatives, environmentally responsible mills & eco friendly process. We believe knitting & knitters can change the world!

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Customer Testimonials

Off The Beaten Path is the best Yarn Shop in the Midwest- Ginger

Best Customer Service of any area yarn shop - Judy

Our Company

Walking gardens with seating areas surround the Tudor style farmhouse, now known as 'the shop,' with seating for patrons to sit and knit or crochet while sipping their choice of complimentary organic coffees. In addition, there are picnic tables in the side yarn in the Spring & Summer with a porch for additional outside seating.

Off The Beaten Path is involved in four distinct activities:

1. Service: OTBP specializes in yarns made from natural fibers like alpaca, bamboo, cotton, corn, linen, rayon, silk, soy, wool and blends thereof. Special care has been taken to provide yarns that have been proven and will stand up to the test of time. Yardage is an especially important factor and has been taken into consideration in the purchase of all but a few specialty yarns. The owner and staff believe in expanding knitter horizons by helping them to increase their skill and confidence levels through classes and informal instruction; but most of all, through exposing them to the widest possible variety of yarns, fibers, techniques and designs.
2. Community:
   Prior to opening, OTBP participated with Monona Meadows and Tellurian in Project Hands to provide knit and crocheted essential items for 150 homeless children. These families were identified and selected to receive much-needed support services from Tellurian in the Dane County area. Monona Meadows residents received instruction and support in knitting or crocheting from the Shop staff. The project held its kickoff raffle announcing the presence of Project Hands in the fall of 2005. The winner received an afghan created by combining the squares created by Monona Meadows participants.  Since opening, OTBP has donated many items for silent auctions: Dane County Advocates for Battered Women; Monona Grove High School Show Choir; various Knit-ins; Madison Knitting Guild and Wexford Ridge's Community Fundraiser.  In addition, free classes have been provided for after-school programs at Cherokee Middle School.

   Knitting is offered free to individuals on a first come, first serve baisis.  Classes can be arranged for groups of two or more.  Additional classes are available once folks are up and knitting!  The "kitchen" is available for Groups to reserve a two-hour time for knitting and solving world problems!  Community is about loving what you do, with others; and, having the opportunity to make the most of it.

3. Stewardship:
   OTBP is dedicated to carrying companies and providing products that give back to the local and global community. Alpaca wool, cotton and silk yarns are offered by Frog Tree, a 100% volunteer-run fair-trade organization donating 100% of its profits to scholarships for low income students and/or grants for grassroots educational groups. Through Community Links, LLC , it runs international volunteer, service-learning, academic and cultural programs in the Americas. OTBP supports local Wisconsin farmers by offering Alpaca yarn spun and milled by local vendors. OTBP is dedicated to finding and supporting products, companies and artists involved in positive activities which contribute to the betterment of our local and global communities.

4. Serenity:
   It has been demonstrated that knitting and crocheting are calming, relaxing and very often therapeutic activities. As a generation retires it removes isolation. It becomes more important than ever to know that the activities one is involved in as a hobby or in retirement are beneficial not only to the participant, but also to the community at large. Many a life situation has been examined and resolved in these wonderful community groups amidst the clicking of needles.  New younger knitters are reporting similar benefits; plus bringing thier incredible pizzaz and creativity to every interaction, making kniting and crocheting together a truly wonderful adventure!  They'll try anything once (and make it better).  OTBP's youngest staff member is 19 and has been knitting for seven years.   There is so much to say, to be continued...

OFF THE BEATEN PATH was the original idea of Karen Baier & Gary Baier. The company was officially incorporated on April 1, 2005 as an LLC. It has become home to many.  Additional memberships and an area Investment Club are on the drawing board.  Keep in touch!

H a p p y  K n i t t i n g !