A Beginning Knitter's Guide To Using Indie Dyed Yarn

By Henry Patterson


Even an experienced crocheter or knitter may occasionally struggle with which yarn to use in their next crafting project. If you are thinking about trying out indie dyed yarn instead of mass produced options you may feel even more lost. Here are some things that you may want to consider next time you decide to look outside the big box stores and try some small batch or hand dyed wool instead.

Many people who craft like the idea of using environmentally friendly, sustainable products in the items that they create. In this case, indie dyed materials may be the right choice for you. They often use natural dyes, do not use the same chemical fixing agents and may be kinder on the environment than mass produced materials may be.

Exotic fibers can be a lot of fun to work with and many of them have qualities that sheep's wool can't match. Some options can be better at insulating against moisture or cold. Others will be better for individuals with sensitive skin. If you are set on using an exotic type of fiber you may find that indie dyed products are your only option.

If you buy mass produced yarn from a large retailer you may find hundreds of balls that are all from the same dye lot. This means that they have all been dipped at the same time and the color is usually very uniform. If, however, you are buying from a smaller producer there will usually be fewer balls from the same dye lot. If you are looking at buying small batch products, try and make sure to buy enough the first time you are there so that you don't end up with mismatched yarn.

One important piece of information that you need to look for is the weight and the type of yarn that you will be buying. Options range from soft, fine sock yarns to thicker, chunkier options that are better for sweaters, blankets or other bulkier options. If you pick materials that are too fine or too thick your project will not turn out and you may end up getting frustrated.

If you are just beginning to experiment with independently produced fibers you may want to do your buying from physical stores rather than online. An experienced seller should be able to discuss which options will be right for your project and give you important information on how to care for your garment or project when it is completed. Different fibers will need to be cared for in various ways once your project is done.

The internet can be a great place to find companies that hand dye materials or dye them in smaller lots. Just keep in mind that since many of these sites offer custom colors or are making things in smaller batches that there may be some color differences between what you see online and what you order. Look for producers that allow you to contact them with questions before you order a particular product.

If you don't really see any options that have the colors you are looking for there is always the option to dye your own. You might want to try taking a class first or starting with synthetic colors as they may be easier to work with. Then, over time, you can begin to experiment with different dyes and see which you like using the best.




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