about elaine

 At four years old, Elaine Sipes was taught to knit by her older sister who thought Elaine would be much easier to babysit if she was quiet and entertained. Being artistic, Elaine was soon designing her own knitting patterns. It would be a hobby she would enjoy for the next five decades. Graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Art Education, Elaine furthered her interest in yarns, where they come from, how they’re made, and its uses.

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A few decades later, Elaine (now married with children) found herself the proud owner of a herd of angora goats (mohair), followed by llamas, alpacas, and recently, yaks; all fiber-producing animals, raised for the production of natural-based yarn.

 

Elaine is an accomplished knitter, spinner, and weaver, winning Reserve Grand Champion at the Taos Wool Festival in 2005. The winning piece was a sweater/cape designed by Elaine, with over three MILES of handspun/hand knit yarn from the llamas of the Sipes’ ranch. The piece is on display at the Your Daily Fiber store. Elaine won the spinning competition at the Taos Wool Festival in 2008 for the longest yarn from 1/10th of an ounce of wool, with over 400 yards measured.

 

Elaine’s hobby introduced her to literally hundreds of like-minded, natural fiber loving people. Her award-winning wearable fiber designs have been featured in magazines and trade shows across the country, as well as Australia and Japan. Elaine with her daughter, Ivy, and husband Darrell, are the owners and teachers of “Your Daily Fiber” yarn store in Fort Collins, Colorado.