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On Location: Hope’s Favorite Things
Our recent photo shoots were shot on a real farm—of course! Meet shepherd Hope Horn, and learn more about the beautiful Pennsylvania farm you’ve seen again and again in Farm & Fiber Knits.
When I drove through the crossroads hamlet of Richmond, Pennsylvania, I would notice a charming-looking storefront. Located in a former general store building, the window displays of Hope’s Favorite Things featured antiques and spinning wheels. One day I decided to check it out. The inside of the shop was a treasure trove of vintage furniture and display fixtures and two huge rooms of fiber-y goodness. How did I not know this Hope person? We became instant friends and have worked together on various projects ever since. Her beautiful farm has been the location for two Farm & Fiber Knits photo shoots.
A look at Hope’s farm, the site of some of the Farm & Fiber photo shoots. Photo by Hope Horn
Both Hope and her husband have deep roots in Northampton County, Pennsylvania—in fact, the general store that became her shop was at one time run by her great-aunt and uncle. Although Hope made the difficult decision to close the storefront during Covid, she now runs The WooL SchooL in a one-room schoolhouse located on the same property. I recently took my Ashford wheel there and, while we spun, we chatted about some of “Hope’s favorite things.”
The barn on Hope’s property gave our team numerous options for the model shots, like this one featuring Amy Tyler's Zig Zag Tunic. Photo by Gale Zucker
Karin Strom: You grew up in the antiques business. Did you always want to have your own shop?
Hope Horn: My parents were antique dealers for 40 years. I learned so much from being with them and working in their shop, so I understood the basics of shopkeeping. When the general store building came up for sale, my husband and I decided to buy it, and in October 2015 we opened Hopes Favorite Things.
KS: What was your inspiration for the name, merchandise, and vibe of “Hope’s Favorite Things”?
HH: I have a lot of interests and I didn’t want to limit myself with the name of business. I sold antiques and gift items as well as fiber equipment and handspun yarns and accessories—my favorite things! Growing up in my parents’ business, I was always surrounded by wonderful eclectic vintage items, and I’ve always been drawn to primitive pieces.
When I drove through the crossroads hamlet of Richmond, Pennsylvania, I would notice a charming-looking storefront. Located in a former general store building, the window displays of Hope’s Favorite Things featured antiques and spinning wheels. One day I decided to check it out. The inside of the shop was a treasure trove of vintage furniture and display fixtures and two huge rooms of fiber-y goodness. How did I not know this Hope person? We became instant friends and have worked together on various projects ever since. Her beautiful farm has been the location for two Farm & Fiber Knits photo shoots.
A look at Hope’s farm, the site of some of the Farm & Fiber photo shoots. Photo by Hope Horn
Both Hope and her husband have deep roots in Northampton County, Pennsylvania—in fact, the general store that became her shop was at one time run by her great-aunt and uncle. Although Hope made the difficult decision to close the storefront during Covid, she now runs The WooL SchooL in a one-room schoolhouse located on the same property. I recently took my Ashford wheel there and, while we spun, we chatted about some of “Hope’s favorite things.”
The barn on Hope’s property gave our team numerous options for the model shots, like this one featuring Amy Tyler's Zig Zag Tunic. Photo by Gale Zucker
Karin Strom: You grew up in the antiques business. Did you always want to have your own shop?
Hope Horn: My parents were antique dealers for 40 years. I learned so much from being with them and working in their shop, so I understood the basics of shopkeeping. When the general store building came up for sale, my husband and I decided to buy it, and in October 2015 we opened Hopes Favorite Things.
KS: What was your inspiration for the name, merchandise, and vibe of “Hope’s Favorite Things”?
HH: I have a lot of interests and I didn’t want to limit myself with the name of business. I sold antiques and gift items as well as fiber equipment and handspun yarns and accessories—my favorite things! Growing up in my parents’ business, I was always surrounded by wonderful eclectic vintage items, and I’ve always been drawn to primitive pieces.[PAYWALL] I wanted to share it all!
Get a closer look! Click on any image below to view it in full-screen mode. Photos by Hope Horn
KS: When did you develop an interest in fiber?
HH: I feel like it’s always been part of the fabric of my life, so to speak. When I was young, an aunt taught me to knit and crochet, and she gave me my great-grandmother’s wool stripper for rug making. Then, around 1996, a lady came into Mom’s shop and taught me to spin on an antique Saxony wheel that Mom was selling. And I’ve been spinning ever since.
Hand-dyed wool and handspun yarns on display at Hope’s Favorite Things. Photo by Hope Horn
KS: One thing leads to another—now you have your own sheep.
HH: You are so right! I was raised on a dairy farm, so I’m comfortable with animals, and once I started to spin, sheep seemed like a natural progression. As my kids got older and I had more time, I researched sheep breeds and the natural-looking fleece that I’m drawn to. I immediately knew I wanted the longwool breed Teeswater. I love their luscious curly locks, which I spin into the funky art yarns I make.
Speaking of one thing leading to another, I recently acquired a vintage cottage carder from a friend and mentor. I’m having fun with that and would like to process wool for myself and local hobby farmers on a small scale.
The exterior of Hope’s Favorite Things, which housed the general store that was at one time run by Hope’s great aunt and uncle. Photo by Hope Horn
KS: What are your plans for The WooL SchooL?
HH: I originally opened it as a place to host spinning, weaving, knitting and crochet, rug hooking, sewing, basketry, and weaving classes. Since we closed the retail shop, I’ve moved my retail space into the schoolhouse. I plan to have small group classes and open for shopping seasonally and/or by appointment.
In 2023, I was awarded a Special Focus Award by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for my work in preserving the schoolhouse and teaching traditional textile techniques there. I’m excited about continuing to spread the word about my two biggest passions, history and the fiber arts!
Also, I’ve been an Ashford Fiber Equipment dealer for awhile and became a Lojan equipment dealer last fall. There’s a lot of interest in the new Lojan wheels, and I sold several over the Christmas season.
Hope Horn with one of the Lojan Buddy wheels she is selling at The WooL SchooL. Photo courtesy of Hope Horn
Follow Hope on Instagram @hopesfavoritethings or visit her website, hopesfavoritethings.com
On Another Note . . .
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Hope’s daughter, Grace, is an influencer. Her Instagram account, @ahousewithgrace, has over 65,000 followers who watch her home decor reels and posts.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised,” Hope says. “She has an outgoing personality, is funny, genuine, and perfect for social media. The thing that does surprise me is that she loves all things vintage, because as a child she thought we were poor, since everything we had was handmade, worn, and distressed!” Hope and Grace plan to spend more time together growing their businesses and social media presence as Grace’s kids go off to school.
Find More from the Farm
Hope’s farm also provided the backdrop for this great shot of Faina Goberstein’s Butte Meadow Top, which subscribers can access in the Farm & Fiber Knits Library.
Photo by Gale Zucker
