Ever wondered who’s behind the scenes at FDF, dying the yarn, packing it up, and assembling those kits we love so much? We’re excited to introduce you to the incredible team that makes it aaallllll happen.

In the Shop

From customer service and management to skeining and shipping we have lots going on in the shop and these ladies keep our smooth machine running!

Alyssa S.

Chief of Operations

Alyssa helps keep all the happenings at FDF running smoothly, all while tackling first-time motherhood like an absolute boss. She’s one of FDF’s earliest employees and learned to knit from Candice herself. Over the years she’s worn a lot of hats and has become an essential part of keeping things organized behind the scenes. When she’s not managing wholesale orders or keeping everything on track at the shop, you can usually find Alyssa at home tending to her garden, knitting something beautiful, or baking up something delicious. She somehow manages to balance it all with a calm, capable energy that makes it all look so easy!

Emily

Shipping Lead

Emily has been with FDF for a few years and keeps our shipping department running like clockwork. She’s the one making sure every order goes out on time and that everything behind the scenes stays organized. Beyond her skills, Emily’s sweet, bright energy makes the shop a better place for everyone she works with. When she’s not at the shipping table, Emily is reading, rollerskating, or convincing us pineapple on pizza is the very best. She’s been diving into new crafts too, making steady progress learning to crochet and weave!  Emily brings a mix of fun and focus to everything she does at FDF.

Alyssa B.

Production Coordinator

Alyssa B. is originally from Utah and comes to FDF with a degree in education, though life led her down a new path that brought her to us. As our Production Coordinator, she runs the skeining room with precision while keeping it cheerful and welcoming.  When she’s not in the skeining room, she's hanging out with her fur babies, Ivy and Clementine, playing the piano, hiking, or sculpting. She’s recently started her own knitting and crochet journey, and if you pop into the skeining room, you’ll likely hear the Crime Junkie podcast on repeat.

Sharelle

Production Assistant + Photographer

Sharelle is our go-to multitasker at FDF. She keeps inventory in check and takes those beautiful photos you see in the newsletters. She can do just a little bit of everything with ease and a creative touch. Her energy and smile keep the shop fun! When she’s not behind the camera or organizing stock, Sharelle is making jewelry, thrifting for hidden gems, or hunting for rocks to add to her massive collection. She’s a longtime Survivor fan, and loves a gooood mermaid conspiracy, really any conspiracy!

Aiko

Production Assistant

Aiko is from Hachinohe City Japan, and recently started calling Great Falls home. She’s efficient, reliable, and an absolute joy to have around FDF. Aiko comes to us with a background in cosmetology and a lifelong love of fiber, she learned to knit in fourth grade! Outside the shop, she enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage son, indulging in her love of Japanese cuisine, and listening to John Legend or the Backstreet Boys. She’s always dreaming of her next adventure, whether it’s returning to Japan or exploring Finland.

Ali

Production Assistant

Ali is the newest addition to the FDF team, and we love having her bright, bubbly energy in the skeining room and around the shop. She’s quickly fallen in love with getting to see and feel all the different colors and textures that pass through the studio, safe to say she’s fully embraced the yarn life. Outside of the shop, Ali enjoys iced coffee and steak (not together...she’d like that noted), spending time in the garden, listening to music, and painting. Her creativity and upbeat energy make the skeining room a little more fun!

Lindsay

Shop Gal

Remote Gals

From managing our Discord community to coordinating with designers and running marketing and events, our remote team keeps FDF connected and thriving; no matter the distance!

Vanessa

Creative Production Coordinator

Vanessa is a ray of sunshine at FDF, yes, even through the computer. Born and raised in Queens, N.Y., she studied Knitwear Design and Fashion Marketing at FIT, including two years in Florence, Italy. A wife, mom to two boys, and dog mom to Edgar, Vanessa brings her love of fiber, fashion, and creativity to everything she does for us. She learned to knit and crochet from her mom, designs knitwear professionally with 26 published patterns, and will knit everything in Dumplin or Eagle Eye if you let her. When she’s not crafting, she’s painting fashion illustrations, reading romantasy fairy tales, or binging some reality TV, she was even in a snippet of RHONY!

Michaela

Customer Service Lead

Michaela is our Queen of Discord. Born in Leicester, England, she’s been a part of the FDF team since 2017. She brings grace, kindness, and a calm, steady hand to everything she does, keeping our community connected and running smoothly. When she’s not helping customers or managing the Discord, Michaela can be found knitting cowls, scarves, and tiny sweater ornaments for her Christmas tree. A lover of photography, travel, and reading, she even studied Book and Archive Conservation, she’s also the world’s best gift giver, bringing creativity to every corner of FDF.

McKenna

Marketing and Events

McKenna, originally from Upstate New York, made the cross-country move to Great Falls, MT, with her husband and dog, Obi, but now works remote from coastal Maine. She has a knack for connecting with people and supporting events, her enthusiasm shows in every project! Outside of work, McKenna enjoys reading, baking, and hitting the tennis courts. She has a long-standing love for crocheting, a skill passed down from her grandmother, and recently picked up knitting thanks to some encouragement from Candice and Alyssa S.

Dye Studio Crew

These boys get it done! They are masters in the dye studio and work so hard to make each color absolutely perfect.

Xander

President of Operations

Xander is the Co-Operator of Farmer’s Daughter Fibers and the steadiness behind much of what keeps FDF running smoothly. Originally from the Flathead Valley, he came to Great Falls for the Montana Air National Guard and now works full-time in the dye studio alongside the family dogs, Sumo and Kima. You might catch him helping out at events with Candice or popping into the Downtown shop, he brings the vital consistency that is much needed at FDF. When he’s not in the dye studio, Xander enjoys life the Montanan way: hunting, dirt biking, fishing, rafting, and camping with his family. He also loves to make time for tropical getaways with Ryder, Adde, and Candice whenever he can.

AJ

Head Dyer

AJ, our laid-back dye studio pro, grew up in the PNW. He brings a calm, can-do attitude to the dye table, rolling with whatever the day throws at him. AJ truly loves his coworkers and the easygoing vibe of FDF, and he just knows the shop’s intuitive aesthetic. A lifelong fiber fan, AJ learned to knit from his grandma and enjoys making scarves. When he’s not at the studio, he’s spending time with his wife, two kids, and their Yellow Belly Cooter turtle, Miss Magnolia Cooter, or watching unconventional reality TV, playing disc golf, and gaming.

Ryder

Dyer

Ryder is a key part of the FDF dye team, bringing strength and focus to the studio every day. He’s proud of his work, after all, it’s pretty cool, and isn’t shy about telling people what he does. Ryder is always ready to lend a hand at shows, you might catch him in the booth! Off the clock, he's hunting, biking, or working out, fueled by fried chicken and a love for exploring Montana. You can always find him laughing along with Kill Tony, whether in the studio or in the ear buds.

Nick

Dyer

Nick is a tried-and-true Montana boy, head down, work done, he has the farm-boy work ethic we all admire. He loves making dye almost as much as he loves just being in the dye studio with the guys. Outside the studio, Nick can be found hunting, whipping up some pasta, or playing video games. Quiet but full of surprising random facts, he’s colorblind yet somehow a master at speckling yarn, proof that skill and passion beat everything else!