Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Yarwasky.
Hi Sharon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up along the shores of Cape May, New Jersey. I came back to stay after college and taught 5th grade for 30 years.
After a divorce in 2012, I later married my soulmate and we purchased a century-old farmhouse just inland from the Stone Harbor beaches. Alongside its weathered two-story barn, we saw more than a fixer-upper—we saw the opportunity to build something meaningful together. As we restored the property, it became a place of creativity, possibility, and new beginnings.
In 2017, I picked up knitting for the very first time.
What began as a new creative hobby quickly grew into a passion for designing beautiful knitwear. During the pandemic in 2020, that passion became Beach2Barn Knits—a business inspired by the encouragement from family and friends and a desire to design and create.
In 2022, after a 30 year rewarding and fulfilling teaching career, I decided to retire and focus solely on my luxury knitwear business. Year after year, the business has grown. Our online store is thriving and we are now up to 29 days of art & craft markets between Sept-Dec. We travel to Buffalo, NY, PA, MD, VA and through NJ for shows.
We offer hand knit accessories in luxury fibers for children and adults.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I can’t say that there has been any major struggles, as I have allowed the business to grow organically without putting too much pressure on myself. With that said, I work pretty much every day and have had to hire several women to help. It is also a family affair of sorts. My sister (who is a preschool handicap teacher) makes all of our yarn pompoms and my mom (who taught me to knit) and mother-in-law help tag most of our products. My husband is with me for every show, lugging and setting up and is my best sales person! He does this while running his very large painting and restoration business (Red Apple Painting & Restoration).
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in hand knit children and adult hats, cowls, mittens, snugglers. We source beautiful, luxury yarn from South America and India.
We work really hard to make pieces that are fashion-forward. Sometimes knitted goods can look dated. We focus on the latest styles and always plan around Pantone NY Fashion Week colors of the season. We use several of our own designs/patterns so many of our hats and pieces are exclusive to Beach2BarnKnits.
I am currently setting up a dye studio and sourcing luxury undyed Merino wool, so as of next year, we will have products in exclusively dyed fibers.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I would eventually like to have our hats in high-end boutiques and phase out some of the markets we do. If boutique owners would like to order our products wholesale, they can contact us for more information.
Pricing:
- our luxury adult hats are ~$71
- children’s hats range in price due to sizing
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beach2barnknits.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beach_2_barnknits.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beach2BarnKnits/
