Lion Brand Yarns

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Lion Brand Yarns

Type Private

Headquarters Carlstadt, New Jersey

, 

USA

Key people David Blumenthal

Products Yarn

Website Official website

Lion Brand Yarns, also known as Lion Brand Yarn Company and Lion Brand Yarn,
was founded in 1878 in the United States. It is the oldest producer of knitting and
craft yarn in the United States, and also publishes several knitting
and crochet newsletters.

Contents

 1Naming
 2History
 3Vanna White
 4Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award
  5Publishing
 6Website
 7Free Patterns
 8Yarn
 9Studio
 10Outlet
 11References
 12External links

Naming[edit]
On its website, the company refers to itself by the names Lion Brand Yarn Company
and Lion Brand Yarns, with the copyright notice on each page showing "Lion Brand
Yarn". Their first national advertisement, in 1903, advertises as "Lion Brand Yarns". [1][2]

History[edit]
Lion Brand yarns have been on the market since 1878, making it the oldest
manufacturer of Yarn in the US.[3]
Current President/CEO David Blumenthal's great-grandfather Reuben founded this fifth-
generation, family-owned company.[citation needed]
The company was founded in 1878 by a group of notions and dry goods salesmen that
included current CEO David Blumenthal’s great-grandfather, Reuben. [4] During the
1930s under the leadership of Isidor, Lion Brand imported yarns from Europe,
supplementing production rather than manufacturing yarns in the U.S.
Joseph Blumenthal, Reuben’s son-in-law, had three sons who ran the company from
the 1930s through the early 1990s. Isidor Blumenthal (born 1909, died 2003) served as
president of the company from 1958 to his death in 2003. George Blumenthal was in
charge of sales and started selling in 1944. Bernard Blumenthal oversaw logistics and
distribution.[citation needed]
The fourth generation includes Isidor’s son, David, currently President and CEO, who
began working for Lion Brand in 1969. In the following years, Alan, Bernard's son, and
Dean and Jack, George's sons, joined the company. Presently there are four members
of the fifth generation Blumenthals working at Lion Brand: David's son Adam and
daughter Shira, Dean's son Evan, and Alan's son Dave. [5]
As of 2005 the company was privately held, and had estimated sales of US$100
million per year.[6]

Vanna White[edit]
In 1992 Johnny Carson interviewed Vanna White on The Tonight Show where she
disclosed that her favorite hobby was crocheting.[7] David Blumenthal's cousin Jack
heard the interview on TV, which resulted in David sending White a package of Lion
Brand Yarn. White then began working as a spokesperson for Lion Brand, and that
relationship continues today.[8] Lion Brand carries a variety of yarn called "Vanna's
Choice".[9] Additional yarns in White's line include "Vanna's Glamour", "Vanna's Sequins"
and "Vanna's Choice Baby."
A portion of the proceeds from sales of these yarns are donated to St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital.[8] On the June 10, 2013 broadcast of Wheel of Fortune, the program
showcased White presenting a check on behalf of Lion Brand for $1,000,000.00 to St.
Jude's. Game show host Pat Sajak noted that St. Jude's life saving mission is a "great
cause" and a "great charity."[10] On October 19, 2018, David and Shira Blumenthal joined
Vanna White on a visit to present St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with a $2
million check, representing the cumulative donation from the sale of Vanna’s signature
yarns.[11]

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award[edit]

In June 2013, it was announced that Lion Brand Yarn’s President/CEO, David
Blumenthal and EVP/COO, Dean Blumenthal were awarded Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year Award for their entrepreneurial excellence in the ‘Family
Business’ category.[12]

Publishing[edit]
The company publishes several knitting and crochet newsletters.[8]
Lion Brand has published several books featuring patterns using their yarn. The
company has partnered with several publishers to provide patterns using their products.
Some of these include: Knit.1 Magazine published by Vogue Knitting, Clarkson Potter
which is part of Crown Publishing Group, Leisure Arts and Random House.[citation needed]

Website[edit]
In 2006, Lion Brand won a Webby Award in the Corporate Communications
category[13] and its podcast, titled "YarnCraft," has won several awards including PR
News' best podcast/videocast award in 2008.[14]

Free Patterns[edit]
Lion Brand offers over 8,000 free knitting, crochet and craft patterns.

Yarn[edit]
Popular varieties of yarns

Beanie made from Lion Brand yarns

The company sells a variety of yarns, from 100% natural fibers including cotton,
cashmere, alpaca and wool to blends and 100% acrylics in a variety of weights. Some
of their most popular yarns are Homespun, Fun Fur, Vanna's Choice, and Wool-Ease.
[15]
 The company came out with organic cotton yarn in 2007. [16]

Studio[edit]
The Lion Brand Yarn Studio is a retail store located at 34 West 15th Street
in Manhattan, which opened in 2008. It sells yarn and provides knitting and crochet
classes.[6] The Studio also offers custom knitting and crochet services. Since the Studio
opened, they have taught over 14,000 students.

Outlet[edit]
There is a retail outlet store located in Carlstadt, New Jersey, which opened in 2011.
The outlet sells a complete selection of Lion Brand yarns and discontinued yarns, and
provides a lounge for customers to knit & crochet.[17]