Shop Local: Handspun Goodies from Molly Miller by Appointment
Old Town resident Molly Miller turns out beautiful creations from her Prince Street home.
Molly models one of her creations.
Molly Miller has been knitting since college and comes from a long line of crafty ladies.
With a mother who knits and a grandmother who weaves, Molly was exposed to the artistry of working with fiber and yarn from an early age. She began knitting in college and eventually took a class to learn how to spin her own yarn. Her fascination with the fiber universe and creating both yarn and finished knitted accessories continued to grow and after years of giving her handmade creations as gifts, she was inspired to launch her own line.
Molly miller by appointment was born in 2005, and Molly creates her yarn and knitted goods right in her Prince Street home. Her business not only provides a creative outlet, but also an opportunity to give back. A portion of all molly miller by appointment sales go to aid organizations helping to rebuild Southern Sudan after two decades of civil war. Molly has lived and traveled in Sudan and has a passion for using her artwork to support the people there. Molly also strives to include materials in her unique pieces that support other fiber artists, are friendly to the environment, and sustain social justice programs in developing countries.
The Goods
If the words “hand knit scarf” conjure an image of an itchy holiday gift from your great aunt, think again. Molly makes scarves, cowls, ponchos, shrugs, shawls, wrist warmers, and hats in stunning color combinations and textures. All of the pieces are chic and could easily be worked into the most conservative or bohemian wardrobes.
Her collection includes neck wraps that button at the neck and look like something you might see with a wool coat and high heels on K street as well as chunky scarves would be perfect with jeans and a t-shirt. Best of all, each piece is unique and handmade by Molly right here in Old Town.
If you are a crafty type, you may also be interested in purchasing her hand spun yarn. Molly sells her knitted creations in her Etsy shop, local trunk shoes, and local festivals such as Art on the Avenue in Del Ray. Her yarn is also available at fibre space, where she also teaches a class about how to work with hand spun yarn. Her finished pieces range from $60 - $250.
The Process
Molly gave me a demonstration of her creative process, and I was astounded by the craftsmanship that goes into each piece. A scarf, for example, takes Molly six to eight hours to make from beginning to end. Prior to meeting Molly, I could not have told you how yarn was made but Molly showed me the process from beginning to end. I learned that yarn is created by twisting and blending fibers.
Molly begins by dying the fiber and then uses a wheel to spin the fiber into yarn. She knits the finished yarn into exquisite pieces that will make you wish for cold weather. In my opinion, it’s only a matter of time before a retail chain such as Anthropologie gives Molly a call!
You can view Molly’s products at mollymillerbyappointment.
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