Jill Zielinski of North Bay Fiber
Dyed in the Wool
A dedicated knitter turned yarn maker, Jill Zielinski brings out the natural beauty of sheep’s wool and puts her design skills to work at North Bay Fiber.
Living in Pinconning with her family, Jill Zielinski loved applying her professional talents in graphic design for clients in the craft and fiber industries. During lean times she turned to knitting to calm her thoughts, but a stray question to a client sparked the idea that became her business and passion at North Bay Fiber. Now, with the support of the Small Business Development Center, funded in part by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, she is turning wool from West Branch into skeins of hand-dyed beauty and weaving together the strands of her community.
“I grew up in Bay City, Michigan, and have always felt deeply connected to this state. After living in a few different places around Michigan, my husband Ed and I knew we wanted to raise our family somewhere that felt grounded and close to our extended families. Bay County gave us that. We moved to the outskirts of Pinconning about 13 years ago and were immediately drawn to its small-town charm, proximity to Saginaw Bay and the warmth of the community. It’s the kind of place where you feel safe, where neighbors know each other and where our boys have room to explore and grow. It’s also been the perfect place to plant the roots of a business like North Bay Fiber.
North Bay Fiber came out of a blend of timing, experience and instinct. I had worked in the knitting industry for over 20 years as a freelance graphic designer—helping other fiber businesses with branding, packaging, marketing, pattern layouts and more—and started designing knitwear patterns in 2009. For a long time, I had one foot in the creative world and one in the business side of the industry.
When COVID hit in 2020, much of my freelance work slowed down. With my income affected by the lack of work, I turned to the comfort of knitting. I was still designing patterns and knitting constantly, and I started to feel a strong pull to create something of my own.
At the time, I happened to be redesigning the logo for Zeilinger Wool Mill in Frankenmuth, Michigan. As I got to know April Zeilinger, the owner, I half-jokingly asked her, “How hard would it be for me to start my own yarn line?” That moment was the spark. I realized I wanted to create yarn that would support my designs, and work directly with farmers and mills here in the U.S. to develop breed-specific yarns that highlight the natural beauty of the fibers.
From the start, it was important to me that North Bay Fiber offer thoughtfully developed blends that reflect our values and can’t be found anywhere else. It felt like the right time to begin a new chapter, and my family was behind me. They’ve been hands-on: helping with yarn production, working in the shop, traveling to shows and supporting the business behind the scenes. It’s truly been a family effort.
What makes North Bay Fiber unique is our deep focus on quality and the relationships behind the yarn. All our yarns are 100% American—from the wool we source to the mills we partner with to the dyeing we do in-house. We specialize in breed-specific, non-superwash yarns that celebrate the natural beauty and character of the fiber.
Each skein is hand-dyed at North Bay Fiber using custom color recipes we develop in-house. We’re not just creating yarn—we’re building something meaningful alongside the farmers, mills and fiber community that make it possible. North Bay Fiber is proudly rooted in Michigan. Whether you visit our shop in Pinconning, meet us at a show or shop online, we hope you feel that personal touch and connection in everything we do.
My background in graphic design has been a huge asset in building North Bay Fiber. I spent years doing branding, packaging and layout work for other fiber companies, which gave me a strong foundation in the business side of the industry. At the same time, I’ve been designing knitwear patterns since 2009, so I understand what knitters are looking for in both a pattern and the yarn behind it.
Those two worlds, design and knitting, go hand in hand for me. Whether I’m creating a new product label, photographing yarn, designing a sweater or planning a color palette, I’m always thinking about the visual story and how everything ties together.
Day to day, my work is always changing. I could be dyeing yarn, sketching out a new kit idea, putting together a class schedule, designing an ad, or packing orders. Some days I’m in the dye studio getting my hands dirty; other days I’m at my desk doing design work or planning our next event. No two days are the same.
The reception to North Bay Fiber in the Pinconning area has been terrific – positive and supportive. From the very beginning, the local community has welcomed us with open arms. We’ve had everyone from seasoned knitters to curious beginners walk through our doors, and it’s been so rewarding to see the shop become a creative gathering space.
In 2025, we were honored to receive the Economic Development Award from the Pinconning & Linwood Area Chamber of Commerce. There’s a real sense of camaraderie among local business owners here. We cheer each other on, share advice and genuinely want to see one another succeed. It’s one of the reasons I love being in Pinconning; there’s a shared purpose in building something meaningful, and I’m so grateful to be part of it.
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been an incredible support throughout my journey with North Bay Fiber. What I’ve appreciated most is how personal the support has felt. They’ve taken the time to understand my business and offer advice that fits where I am and where I want to go. There were times when my SBDC consultant felt more like a counselor, someone I could talk to honestly about the challenges of running a small business. Whether I needed help with financial planning, growth strategies or just a sounding board, they were there with thoughtful, steady support. I always left our meetings feeling more focused, encouraged and capable.
In 2025, I was honored to receive the Best Small Business Award from the SBDC. That recognition meant so much—it was a celebration of how far North Bay Fiber has come, and a testament to the guidance and encouragement I’ve received along the way. Building a small business takes heart, grit and a whole lot of hustle, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Every step forward counts.
For me, it’s the mix of natural beauty and community spirit that sets Bay County apart. We’re close to the Saginaw Bay, with access to trails, parks and water—it’s the kind of place where you can slow down, breathe a little deeper and truly enjoy your surroundings. It’s also a safe place to raise a family, and that’s something I don’t take for granted.
Looking ahead, I’d love to see Pinconning continue to grow in a way that honors its small-town roots while welcoming new ideas and opportunities. I hope more small businesses continue to pop up and thrive, and that Pinconning becomes known as a place where makers, artists and entrepreneurs feel inspired. We need even more investment in our downtown, more spaces for people to gather and continued support for local families.
For me personally, I’m glad to keep contributing to that growth through North Bay Fiber—by helping put our town on the map as a destination for the fiber community and beyond.”
Special thanks to Elaine Palm from Great Lakes Lamb, who supplies wool to North Bay Fiber, for the shearing photos.