Posts Tagged ‘Hand Dyed’

An Interview About a Spinner… No It Doesn’t Mean a Spider!

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Well, I know I’m a bit behind on my weekly interviews, but here’s a new one! Andrea, AKA, Sunniefairy (on Ravelry) agreed to let me interview her. She’s possibly the most talented girl I’ve ever met. And… she has a talented twin, too, but that’s a story for a different day. Everyone should visit Andrea’s shop here, especially if you want to learn to spin!

1. Why did you start spinning?
Honestly, I never knew how yarn was made until I saw it online. It really blew my mind and I knew that I just had to learn how to do it! I shared my new found information with EVERYONE. Then I received my first spindle in the mail and my love for spinning grew from there!

2. How long have you had your own business?
I have had my business for about a year and a half.

3. What tips do you have for new spinners?
Number 1: Do not get frustrated! If you get frustrated, walk away and go knit. Number 2: Take your time and practice! Nothing is perfect the first time.

4. What is something that is unique about you?
I think the thing that is unique about me is that I’m not scared to do anything. I approach everything with a can-do attitude, and sometimes the finished object is terrible, but I keep at it.

5. What is your favorite thing to knit?
I like knitting socks, but I don’t finish very many of them… I’m slow. Really slow.

6. What fiber is your favorite to spin?
I love bamboo. Especially when mixed with merino. It’s heavenly.

7. How long have you known how to knit and spin?
I’ve known how to knit for 6 years and I’ve know how to spin for 1 year. In ways, I’m still a beginner!

I should also mention that she knows how to crochet, as well. Isn’t she talented?

8. What is your favorite toy that you have knit?
I love Smith, the hedgehog pattern from Ysolda Teague. As is typical when I knit something for someone else, I finished it on the way to their house and didn’t have a chance to take a photo. Yes, I am a major procrastinator.

9. Do other people in your family knit and spin? My mom and grandma both know how to knit, but neither of them spin. Although, my mother did try it once. She was pretty good at it! I don’t know why she stopped. Also, my brother knows how to crochet. But he only makes 1 thing. Little amigurumi turtles.

10. What is your favorite movie?
Hands-down, it has to be The Ultimate Gift. It’s a very touching, inspirational movie.

Here is some of her hand dyed! Isn’t it lovely?

Now Presenting… Dyelectable Yarns!

Monday, April 12th, 2010

My First Interview!! :)

I have decided to add interviews with artists to my repertoire here on my blog. There are many amazing, talented people to talk to, and many we’d love to know more about. Without further ado…

Meet Terri, aka Azlynn on Ravelry. She’s a very talented Indie Dyer for Dyelectable yarns. You can visit her Etsy shop here! She also has a Ravelry group here and a Facebook group here! Be sure to check them all out!!

Terri's Update

This picture is one of her recent updates! Aren’t they droolworthy?

So here are the questions that I asked Terri about her dyeing!

1. What made you decide to start dyeing yarn?
I started dyeing yarn because I don’t have access to any LYS, and I wanted pretty yarn. I decided to try making my own and loved it immediately.

2. What part of the process is your favorite?
My favorite part of the process is a toss-up. I love the planning and idea process, but I love the miracle of the transformation when I get to see the finished skeins. I love seeing my vision come to life on the yarn.

3. Which Colorway is your favorite?
My favorite changes often as I dye more colors and get tired of past colorways. My current favorite colorway is Color of Magic because it reflects freshness and spring and the promise of starting over with the new season.

4. Do your kids help you with the dyeing process?
My kids do not currently help me dye, but they both help me with other parts of the process – skeining, printing labels, some packaging, naming colorways, etc.

5. What is something totally unique about you that we would like to know?
Something unique about myself…..I would have never thought this question would be so hard to answer. Totally random fact about me: I type 125 words per minute.

For reference, I totally had to go figure out how fast I type… 74 wpm. WOW she’s fast!

6. What are your favorite colors? Do you find it hard to find inspiration to dye colors that you don’t like as much?
My favorite colors are greens, purples, reds, and earth tones. I sometimes find myself dyeing inside the box of my own favorite colors, but once I realize it and change gears, I am able to find inspiration from outside of my box fairly easily and come up with some colors that I know are beautiful even if I personally would not use them.

7. What tips do you have for new dyers?
I like to encourage new dyers, and my first advice is always “Don’t give up.” The first skeins may not turn out like your vision, but each one is still a unique work of art. Stick with it and READ READ READ to learn as much as you can about the craft.

8. What is your favorite knitted project that is made out of your hand dyed yarn?
My favorite project to see knitted out of my yarn is shawls, but I love seeing all projects knitted/crocheted out of my yarns. It completes my vision when I first planned the colorway and technique for each skein.

9. What is your favorite TV show?
My favorite TV series is Grey’s Anatomy, with a close second being Private Practice and all reality shows. I’m a reality show fanatic!

10. Where is your favorite place in the world?
My favorite place in the whole world is right here at my home, sitting on the front porch knitting while listing to the kids playing. There is no place I would rather be.

Tuscan Affair

Isn’t this one beautiful? It’s Tuscan Affair, Dyelectable’s signature yarn!! And if you haven’t already, sign up for Terri’s update newsletter, so you’ll be one of the first to know when she’ll have more of these beautiful yarns in stock!! You can sign up here!