About IBM Yarns

Hi, I'm Brooke!

I'm the founder and owner of IBM Yarns, short for Inspired by Margot, a small Australian yarn business based in Western Australia.

I picked up a crochet hook while waiting for the arrival of my first daughter, shortly after losing my German grandmother, Margot. She loved all things fibre, and crochet became my way of staying connected to her. What began as a creative tribute to someone special has since grown into something much bigger.

What started as a small hobby making thoughtful crochet gifts soon developed into a passion for cotton yarn. Frustrated by the lack of variety and quality available at big craft stores, I wanted to find something better, something that reflected the care and creativity I put into every project.

Dyeing cotton wasn't easy. Unlike wool, cotton yarn is less commonly hand-dyed, which meant information was limited and sourcing quality yarn was a challenge. I taught myself through trial and error while working full time and raising our two young children with my husband. Finding time to experiment and learn wasn't always easy, but with plenty of patience, persistence and encouragement from Mr IBM Yarns, the business began to take shape.

Over time, I refined my dyeing process, developed the soft, colourful pastels that have become part of my range, and continued learning about cotton fibres, dyeing techniques and how to achieve beautiful results. There's always something new to explore, and that's still one of the things I love most about what I do.

Today, IBM Yarns has grown beyond hand-dyed yarn to include carefully selected commercial cotton yarns and thoughtfully curated notions to inspire your next project. It's a business built around my love of making, my curiosity for colour and fibre, and my desire to share that with other makers, all while being a mum to my two girls.

Why cotton?

Cotton is at the heart of IBM Yarns. I love its breathability, versatility and suitability for warmer Australian climates, as well as its potential for so many different projects. It's a wonderful option for everything from garments and accessories to blankets, toys, homewares and weaving.

My aim is to offer beautiful, high-quality cotton yarns for every kind of maker, from trusted commercial bases to unique colourways hand-dyed by me in small batches here in Western Australia. Whether you love soft pastels, bright multicolours or deep, rich tones, I want you to find something that inspires your next project.

I'm also passionate about encouraging people to explore natural fibres as an alternative to synthetic, plastic-based yarns. I believe choosing your materials thoughtfully is an important part of making, and I want to make it easier to find cotton yarns that suit your projects, your preferences and your creativity.

Made with care, from my hands to yours

IBM Yarns is a small, owner-operated business, which means there's a real person behind the yarn you receive. From experimenting with new colourways to selecting quality yarn bases and carefully preparing your order, I put a lot of thought into what I offer.

Thank you for supporting my small Australian business. Whether you're a longtime customer or have only just discovered IBM Yarns, I'm so glad you're here. I hope you find something you love, feel inspired to try something new, and enjoy every stitch along the way.