Knerd Shop Founder, 2010

Renee learned to knit in 1999 while working at the MCA Chicago and spent the next 7 years knitting squares and rectangles.

It wasn’t until she joined her LYS that she gained the courage to take her knitting further. There, she made her best friends, learned so many skills, and began her journey as a business owner.

Since her MS diagnosis in 2007, knitting has helped to maintain her dexterity and cognitive skills (though no lace work for that girl!). Today she mostly enjoys sweater knitting with the occasional accessory thrown in for instant gratification.

Owner/Dyer

Ryan joined the Knerd team in late 2018 as Social Media Director and helped manage the instagram account, take yarn photos, and eventually dye yarn.

And as of February of 2022, she has taken over all operations at Knerd! While being true to everything that Renee has made Knerd she will incorporate a bit of herself in it as well.

After a year of running Knerd, Ryan decided she needed to make the business a little more “her.” After much consideration, she decided to rename the shop Salty Blonde Fiber.

It was not an easy decision, but after feeling like she needed to fully take over she made the change and is so happy to have done it. Every single colorway Renee created will always be lovingly referred to as the Knerd Palette and Knerd will always remain the heart of this brand.

For any inquiries please reach out to her at ryan@saltyblondefiber.com

Skeiner, Shipper, QC, Encourager

Nicky joined the team in 2023 to take over all post-dye tasks! She carefully twists each skein, labels, and packages with love and some help from her tiny assistants who accompany her to the studio.

Without Nicky’s help- Ryan would not be able to sanely get it all done!

Nicky has yet to learn how to knit or crochet but she can already identify weights and fibers like she’s been working with them her whole life!