Meet Kaaryn Dahlquist | Owner, Creator and Maker of Blessing of Blankets (B*B)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaaryn Dahlquist and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaaryn, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have been making blankets/items for friends and family for years. One of my friends learned to crochet and decided to start her own business on Etsy. She suggested that I start my own since I make them all the time anyway. At first I said no, I wasn’t talented enough to have a small business. But then I took it to prayer, and I was hit with an entire vision of my business. I was a brand new mom of a son only a couple months old and I was encompassed by severe abuse. I was desperately seeking a why to earn extra money on my own to be able to eat. All of which, the Lord showed me that He would provide if I followed His will. Shortly after starting my social media pages, I got an oder from an old high school friend for trending chunky blankets. I had never made a blanket like that before. After so much research, I taught myself how to make the blankets, and enter into my first craft show. It was the first time that I was successful. From there I was given the confidence to regain control of my life, and use my business to heal and grow from the abuse, and hopefully be an example to my son what it means to over come affliction, grow something successful, and all while being a single, religious mom. So the thought process was rather simple, the Lord gave me the idea, and I simply jumped into it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My mission is to bring back the intention of a gift. Reminding the recipient of every item that I made that they are unique and wonderfully made, hand crafted, perfectly imperfect. Why? Because that’s exactly how I see each and every creation I make. Yes you can find anyone that makes these blankets, or learn on youtube how to make them yourself (I certainly did). But I have perfected it over the years and now offer the ability to help others learn all my tricks. What sets me apart is that I make up my own patterns, and creations without following any patterns. And I desire to teach these skills that I’ve figured out on my own.

Starting this business is not easy. I really do not have a business mind. It takes extra time, diligence, and effort to own and operate you own small business. Let alone one that you hand craft each and ever item. But I will say that it is worth it. Worth it because I am able to be active in my son’s life. Put him and his schedule first, and also, be welcomed into the most joyful, or challenging parts of other people’s lives. I love learned the WHY behind each and every order, and I hold that intention near and dear as I make that blanket. Even the premade items, I try to remain just as intentional and allow for that item to go to the right person, hoping it gives them the comfort, and peace that they might seek.

I have learned that you don’t have to know everything, all it really takes is just starting, failing forward, and learning how it goes along the way. There is no magic formula, or science. But if it’s what you are called to do, nothing will get in its way.

I want the world to know that life is fully of various sufferings and challenges, but that they are truly blessed. From the smallest gift, to the largest life changing moment. I hope that my blankets offer someone this assurance and peace.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am honestly a total homebody and even at parties I bring yarn, needles, or a crochet hook. I love a good girls night in, relaxing under cozy blankets, working on something with yarn, and watching a tv show or movie.

However, I love living in Colorado because there are some incredible places to visit. I love going for hikes in Boulder, or swimming at the hot springs in Glenwood Springs. I would also say that the Wine Country Inn in Palisade is incredible, and the horse drawn carriage wine tour by JR Carriage is something that anyone should experience!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family deserves a GIANT shoutout. They all rescued me from a really dangerous and dark part of my life. When I came to them with this crazy idea, they supported it. The support was nothing short of completely generous, from helping me with the funds for my first craft show, to helping me get the equipment I needed to the encouragement to keep going. They believe in the mission of B*B, and never in my life will I be able to repay them for the love and care that they have shown me throughout the last few years. Tough as they may have been, and by the grace of God, we have all made it through and I am forever grateful for their presence in my life and my son’s life.

Thank you to each and every member of my family, for truly being the greatest gift God has ever given me.

Website: https://www.blessingofblankets.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blessingofblankets

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/customblanketsbyKaaryn?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: UCQh_UWfTCBu30poNa9Db03A

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blessingofblankets?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
My amazing photography was Antonette with Portraits By Antonette. She is a dear friend that does family photoshoots, as well as, senior pictures and lifestyle. Her website is https://portraitsbyantonette.com

Genuinely she is a very talented photographer and I am grateful she did my rebranding shoot.