Last Friday, we did some natural dyeing using yellow onion skins and madder root.  The processes were all similar, and while I didn't take as many images as I'd like, I thought it might be fun to share some photos of parts of the process.  There are a few things I want to note, most importantly, DO NOT use your cooking or canning pots to dye fiber!  It is probably not safe and might make you sick!  Visit a thrift store or buy inexpensive pots to do this.  Consult a book on dyeing for more information, and by all means, don't take my measurements/calculations to be "correct"... it's all an experiment, and, in my opinion, as long as the yarn turns out pretty, it's successful!

The first step is to prepare the fibers.  We used only wool in our process.  The yarn needs to be tied into a skein, which can be done on a warping board (as above) or between two chairs or two hands of a patient person.  The yarn needs to be secured in 3 places by tying a yarn around the fibers.  Look at a commercial skein of yarn that hasn't been opened and chances are you'll see how this string is to be knotted.  It helps to keep the yarn from tangling on itself.  Do not knot the string tight or you'll create a "stripe"!

If you want to label your yarns, get a tyvek envelope (the FedEx or UPS or Priority mail envelopes that feel like a mix between plastic and paper) and cut it into little squares.  This is a great opportunity to reuse!  Cut a small hole in the tag or use a hole punch, then string it through one of the strings you knot around the skein.  Use a Sharpie marker and make a note about the yarn - your name, the fiber type; how you intend to mordant or dye the yarn - whatever you think is important.  If you are dyeing a bunch of different ways or different yarns, these notes are helpful.  Also, the tag can stay with the skein after you're done... and it'll remind you what you did so you can explain it to anyone interested!

Any animal based (protein) fiber should accept the natural dye easily.  Plant fibers are less successful.  If the fiber is synthetic (nylon, acrylic,) you'd want to use acid dyes.  Also, you can overdye yarns... if you don't like the color of a yarn, try overdyeing it!  If the fiber starts off a bit darker, then the color will be darker when dyed.

The skin of the yellow (or red) onion dyes fiber beautifully.  I went to the local chain supermarket and asked the produce clerk if I could clean out the onion bin.  After quickly explaining what I was doing, he was more than happy to have my do this; it made his produce look better, his job easier, and the skins that would otherwise have been garbage are put to use.  NOTE: He did mention that in a month or two that the onions will begin to arrive with less of a skin, so for those interested in dyeing using onion skins, I suggest gathering materials sooner rather than later, or you might be waiting until the Autumn.

Having never dyed with onion skins before, I did a search online and found some sources that hinted at soaking the skins for 24 hours prior to using them.  I took 2 plastic jars and filled them with skins (which I first weighed so that we had an idea of the weight of the skins we used), then poured boiling water on them and let them soak for a few hours the morning of the class.  I figured it can't hurt, and while it wasn't the way our instructor generally did the dyeing, we used the liquid and skins. 

We put the dry skins and the ones that were soaked in sacks after weighing the materials (we had 5.6oz of onion skins).  Putting the skins in some sort of mesh sack helps keep the dyestuff from tangling in the fibers.  Old stockings work really well for this, and these mesh bags worked well for onion skins.  In our case, we had about 9oz of yarn which we soaked in cold water for about half an hour.  Then, we put the wet fibers in a pot of hot water with about 2oz of mordant (we used Alum) and let it soak in the hot water (which was cooking on a little hotplate) for about an hour.  We don't want the water to boil, but the hot water and mordant helps to make the fibers recieve the dye better.  There's LOTS to know about natural dyeing, and a wonderful resource is the local library.  Check out some books and give it a try! 

The liquid from the soaked onion skins went in the hot pot of water and the mesh sacks went in as well.  Immediately, the color of the water was golden!  After they were in the pot for a while, we added the mordanted yarn

We let the yarn simmer for about an hour, keeping an eye on it to be sure it doesn't boil, and stirring the pot to keep the fibers mixed around the skins.  After we were happy with the color, we poured the mixture in the sink (which you shouldn't do with acid dyes!) and squeezed out the yarn.  At that point, it needs to be rinsed (I like to rinse it till the water is clear, then put some vinegar in the water to set the color), and hung to dry. 

Onion skins make an amazing range of golds and yellows.  The fiber on the far right of this photo was "overdipped" in the madder dyepot which is why it gets a bit more orange at the bottom of the skein.

The process for dyeing with madder is pretty much the same.  The root we used had been harvested around 15 years ago so this was a bit of an experiment.  The root bits could have been smashed up a bit more, but other than that, here's what we did...

Madder roots in the mesh bag sitting in the dyepot cooking out their delicious color!  We let this cook just like we did the onion skins.  These sticks came out during the process; it would have probably been good to use the leg of a ladie's stocking for these bits... Again, we had 9oz of yarn, soaked in cold water then put it in a pot with the alum (again about 2oz) and soaked for 1 hour.  We had 8oz of madder root which was soaked overnight in a big glass jar.  The liquid went into the pot and the root bits went into the mesh bag.

When we were done with the process, the fibers turned out this gorgeous orange/peach/rust color!  After soaking them and hanging them to dry (remember to put them somewhere that if they happen to drip that if it happens to still have dye in it it won't be a problem) - I hang my skeins in a tree in the backyard - the water drips on the grass below... and it doesn't stain anything.

The week before we dyed with Brazilwood; an endangered wood!  One of the participants got Brazilwood shavings from a woodworker who makes violin bows!  The wood is old, and is part of his collection of materials.  Instead of the shavings being thrown out, he allowed us to do some dyeing with it!  The color we got is a gorgeous pink/orange!

You'll also notice that there is some purple colors in here... After the dyeing, we added baking soda to the dyepot which made the purple/fuschia color, and added vinegar to a different "afterbath" and that made the brighter coral color.

The sort of red ball in the middle of the last image is one that a student overdyed.  It's just dyed with the same brazilwood 2 weeks in a row.  Gorgeous!

So there you go... natural dyeing, a few different ingredients, and unpredictable (but beautiful) results!  Go get a book from the library or your local book shop, do a google search for a natural dyeing workshop in your area, and get to it!  There's a world of color out there for you to discover!

Here's a helpful online link:  Dharma Trading offers natural dyes and mordants for purchase (as well as a LOT of other things) - if you can't find materials locally, you can always order from them!

After many months of working with Kate Godfrey at OkayKate, I am pleased to announce that not only do I have a new logo, I have a new look!  Kate was wonderful to work with while developing the logo, and made the process seem effortless.  I wanted something timeless; that hinted at my desire to educate the public about social issues through my work... I wanted something that let people know that the pieces I offer are made by hand... I wanted a "look" - and that's what Kate gave me!  Here's my new business card:

Kate announced my new look on her website in this POST - and showed these images of my new design package.  When I talked with Kate, I explained all my needs to her, including the desire for a logo that would easily translate from business cards to buttons to labels for my knitting and weaving projects.  The stationary and envelope (pictured below) are exactly what I wanted; something professional that hinted at my varied interests... something restrained and "adult" looking, and with the logo combined, new colors and font style, Kate certainly delivered!

Some people might be interested in seeing what some of the "in progress" logos looked like.  At this stage, the specific colors and refining hadn't been done on the logos... Working through the process of printing out the sample images and really thinking about them and what message they conveyed was a wonderful exercise.  I was quickly trained to not immediately respond, but to take my time and a few days to study the options.  With time, the thoughts changed, and with each revision we got closer and closer to the final look.  Kate has a way of "hearing" what the client says, even when the client doesn't have a clue they're saying it.  Witnessing the evolution of the design is a treat and an added bonus to having a professional designer guide you through the process.

Kate is available to help anyone who is looking for a new logo or look.  She works wonderfully with designers (such as me), companies (she designed the new logo for Blackthorn needles) or an individual with a desire for a beautiful logo and stationary for the home or estate (check out this beautiful logo)!  For those who have shops on www.etsy.com or sell designs on www.ravelry.com, this is a great opportunity to add a sense of professionalism to your website(s), mailings, and advertising!

She is reasonably priced, fun to work with, witty, and thorough.  After working through the process I must say it was a great lesson in learning what it means to have a brand, how to think about myself as a company, and added to my thought processes with regard to the considerations made when posting online, designing a patttern or writing a proposal.  Visit Kate's website and contact her to discuss the possibility of working with her. 

In addition to other fun projects soon to be announced, I will be teaching two workshops at the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.  First, a basic "Learn to Knit" class that will introduce anyone who has an interest in knitting but has never learned, and second, a more advanced "Banded Hats" workshop that will teach knitting in the round, fair isle and "jogless" stripes while creating a Navajo-inspired hat using Churro wool made by the Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land.  If you live in the San Jose or San Francisco areas, and are interested in taking a class, visit the museum's website and register.  Following are the details of the workshops and the corresponding exhibits.  For my knitting friends, Primary Structures will certainly be a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand knitting as art.  Click the link below for the exhibit postcard:

June 26, Sunday
10am – 12pm
(Plus one hour additional free knit & gallery walk through with exhibition curator)

Learn to knit! Beginners will learn how to cast-on, bind-off, knit, purl, and read a basic pattern while making a cotton washcloth or sampler. Workshop will cover basic concepts, common mistakes, and some of the pattern variations possible using just these techniques. This is a great introduction to the world of knitting and will introduce you to the basic skills necessary so that you can continue with projects on your own. You will leave with a better understanding of the craft, along with a "learn to knit" scarf pattern that will allow you to further practice. No experience required! Knitting materials are included; all you have to do is show up! The instructor will be available for students who have additional questions or need further assistance for a one hour "free knit" after the workshop. Come knit with us!

Skill Prerequisite - none
$55 – workshop fee includes needles and yarn
$45 members
Needles and yarn generously provided by Skacel.

Knit a hat inspired by the work of the Black Mesa Weavers using beautiful handspun Navajo Churro wool. In this 3 hour workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn the Fair Isle technique, as well as how to create "jogless" stripes in the round on double-point needles. Students should already have basic knitting skills, including cast on, bind off, purl, knit, increasing and decreasing. Supplies, including Churro yarn from Black Mesa Weavers, and double-point knitting needles from Skacel, Inc. are provided. Reference materials will be provided with the course. You will leave well on your way to completing a hand knit hat that connects your passion for knitting at the Museum with the Navajo shepherds. A portion of proceeds from this workshop benefit Black Mesa Weavers for Life and Land.

Skill Prerequisite: Basic knitting skills including cast on, bind off, purl, knit, increasing and decreasing.
$80 for class
$70 members
Needles generously provided by Skacel.

Click the link below to read the press release for this exhibit detailing all the related workshops:

Primary Structures will explore how innovative artists using simple linear elements in combination with unconventional materials can broaden our understanding of the familiar by transforming the stitch structures of knit and crochet into large scale and compelling art. With work ranging from the architectural to graphic abstractions, from pioneers and established artists as well as contemporary emerging artists, the upcoming exhibit continues to showcase the emergence of sculptural art knitting as a 21st century medium of imaginative and cutting edge artistic innovation.

Exhibit Co-sponsors: Lion Brand Yarn, The Indian Store, San Diego North Coast Knitters Guild, Stitch Diva Studios, The Knitting Room with in-kind donations from Skacel Collection, Inc., Crystal Palace Yarns

This is a unique exhibit and the first of its type to focus exclusively on banded blankets. These utilitarian and simply striped blankets showcase the rich cultural tradition of the Pueblo, the Navajo, and the Spanish Colonial Rio Grande blankets of the “Four Corners” area of the American Southwest. United by common elements of stripes and indigo coloration these blankets are elegant in their design composition, sophisticated balance and amazing variety.

Collector Roger Moss said, “When my wife Jean and I started collecting banded blankets it was because we admired this marriage of utility and beauty and because their virtues had been long overlooked.” Curator Deborah Corsini added, “The understated simplicity of the stripes is a powerful contrast to the visual graphic intensity that resonates with kinetic movement.” Southwestern Banded Blankets provides a special opportunity to examine the austere beauty and subtle variations of three traditions of these rare, well used textiles. A catalog of the exhibition will be available.

Supported by a grant from the Christensen Fund.

A number of years ago, I enrolled in level I of the Master Hand Knitting Program offered by the TKGA.  It's a 3 level program that allows knitters to become "certified" Master Knitters.  It's not easy; that's for sure, and it requires a HUGE level of dedication.  I have spent a few years looking at the program and only a week or so ago decided that it was time for me to start working on it.  There is no deadline for completing the program.  This is what makes some of us enroll, then wait.

Level I offers the opportunity to research stitch, cast-on and bind off techniques as well as writing a report on how to block knitting.  Most of us think we know how to do these things, but when it gets down to the "knitty gritty" (pun intended), a lot of us just do what we were shown without ever having spent some effort to see if what we have been doing is the correct methods.  Basically, we are instructed to knit swatches, answer some questions, and write a report.  We also knit a striped hat.  All easy stuff... the caveat being that we are to follow the directions.  If they specify to decrease 3 stitches in, that means 3 stitches in.  When it's time to be graded, they will be counting.  Everything.

I'm not saying that there's a "wrong" way to knit.  Actually, I'm suggesting that there are many ways that ARE correct... and that we should understand WHY we knit a certain way.  THIS is what the Master Hand Knitting Program will help me understand.

SO, with that in mind, I am announcing that I am going to be working my way through the program.  Level I at least, and I started with swatch #3; seed stitch.  Basically I'm going to follow the directions, and guide myself through this process.  I'll be chiming in from time to time on here to let you know how I'm doing. 

Want to join me?  The course is currently $90 and requires a membership to TKGA ($30).  Visit their website for more information.  I also have it listed on my ravelry projects page if you're there... feel free to add it as a favorite.

This program looks like a lot of work, and it is... but if I have learned anything in my life it's that good things come to those who dedicate some time on long-term projects.  THAT's how I ran a marathon and got my degree... one step at a time... with a basic plan in mind, and keeping the end reward in my thoughts.

Happy Knitting, all!

The Cause hat pattern was released in January, 2011 as the inaugural pattern in the series of projects designed by Kyle William to raise awareness of important social issues.  After many hours of deliberation about the best group to benefit from the sale of this pattern, I am proud to announce a collaboration with Living Beyond Breast Cancer!  Celebrating their 20th anniversary, this amazing group of individuals is dedicated to offering assistance to individuals, whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, recently completed treatment, years beyond or living with metastatic breast cancer. They also give assistance and knowledge to  family members, caregivers, friends and healthcare providers by providing breast cancer information and support.

I am HONORED to name Living Beyond Breast Cancer as the official charity for the Cause hat, and proud to donate 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of every pattern to this worthwhile organization.  Please visit them on the web: www.lbbc.org to learn more about their efforts and what upcoming events may be of interest. 

If you have yet to purchase the Cause hat pattern, now is your chance!  Visit the SHOP and purchase the pattern today for $4.00.  Included with each pattern is a fact sheet about breast cancer which may provide life saving information, and as mentioned before, the color of the ribbons can be changed to support any cause you choose!

NOTE: Crafty Andy created a crochet version of this pattern!  Please visit his website HERE to view and purchase the crochet pattern.

I'd love to hear from you - if you have ideas for other groups or organizations that might benefit from being included in this series of patterns, please fill out the form below:

Not everything can turn out perfectly.  I'm OK with learning from my knitting (usually).  In the case of the Sideways Socks pattern by Sandi Rosner, I am unsure if it was the pattern or me... but something just ain't right!  I re-started the sock a number of times, and finally got to the end of the knitting, only to discover that the "easy" that this sock is (by knitting back and forth instead of on double pointed needles or using magic, loop, etc.) is quickly replaced by an entire sock length of kitchener stitch!  If that isn't enough, it's kitchener stitch in garter, then stocknette, then seed, and finally more stockinette!  I got through that battle, only to discover that the cuff of the sock is WAY too tight.  In the interest of sanity, I decided to call the entire project an "UGH" and move forward with life.  The balance of the yarn went into the sock yarn scrap bin, and the toeless sock is credited with probably the first time I have looked at a knitting project, decided that it's OK to let go and move on.

When animals are attacked and somehow escape, or even when the dog is finished with getting a bath... the first thing they do is "shake off" the fear and experience they had... Someone once told me that this something other animals do, but that humans internalize bad experiences.  I decided that I would "shake off" the bad experience of this project.  So, in an effort to be symbolic of the tragic fail, I decided the best thing to do with a misbehaving project is to climb to the roof of my building and hurl it with all my might into the abyss... goodbye, "Mr. Sock that didn't work out"... I'm acknowledging that you were not destined to be a finished object!

The pattern is the Sideways Socks on Ravelry - for me, it was an UGH but others have knit it and done well.  If you're feeling up to the challenge, give it a shot. 

Deep breath in... deep breath out.  It's time to start a new project.  I got my trusty little drawing kit out for the Self Imposed Sock Club (even though it's not due for another month, I decided that since the first one went so terribly I should just dive in and give myself time to make this pair really count!)

There are only 6 different patterns left in my club - remember, I had planned on doing 6 pairs of socks for the year, and put 1 additional project in the mix just in case... I guess I should have re-selected immediately since the first project was a fail... but instead, I let it go, and feel like I MUST only knit 5 more of he 6 potential projects this year.  That being said, if I have another terrible fail, I'll have to jump into the next project immediately.  (I really hope that doesn't happen!)

The pattern I chose this time is the Waves and Piers Socks from The Little Box of Socks - It looks like an easy pattern and I love the way it shows off the color changes.  I'm using yarn from Wisdom Yarns (Universal Yarn) - the line is called Los Angeles... 75% wool, 25% polyamide (nylon) ... fingers crossed these socks work out!   If you are on Ravelry, here's the project link.

You'll notice at the top of the website there's a new tab marked "survey" - I am inviting you to participate in a quick (10 question) survey that will be an indicator as to what readers are interested in.  If you have a moment, I'd really appreciate your feedback.

After a lot of research on Mary Maxim, I dove in and got a number of their vintage patterns, including the seahorse cardigan!  Using Paton’s Classic Wool Merino, I did a gauge swatch using Jade Hather (77208) for the body, Natural (00229) for the upper background, and Paprika (00238) for the seahorses and accent lines, I cast on in July, 2008!

Fast forward to late September, 2009... I finished the chart of one of the sleeves, going back and forth between whether it was all intarsia or if I could "fake" fair isle some of the patterning.  I wasn't sure, so I put it away for a while.  In mid October of 2010 (yes, a YEAR later) I picked it back up and took the sleeve with me to San Francisco and finished it on the 200 mile drive north to Weott for the Humboldt Redwoods Half Marathon.  That sleeve was finished, and I was able to start the back on that trip!

The back was finished in early January, 2011, and a week or two later, I finished the second sleeve.  Because all this intarsia and graph based knitting isn't torture enough, I decided to cast on the two fronts at the same time.

At this point I was really wanting to get the sweater completed in time for Stitches - and on January 13, 2011, it was finally completed! I assembled the sweater and found the perfect buttons to complete the piece.  All but one button came from Britex in downtown San Francisco. The antique seahorse button I used is from “Granny’s Thimble” - a pretty fun source for buttons! Check her out:  www.grannysthimble.etsy.com 

As soon as the weather cooperates I'll get photos of me wearing the cardigan --

I'm now tackling another Mary Maxim pattern... the buffalo sweater!!  (and I promise myself that I will not procrastinate as much this time!!)  Stay tuned!

OK, let's talk... obsessed knitter to obsessed knitter.  I have an overwhelming stash of sock yarn, and I'm not even a compulsive sock knitter like some people I know!  I'm sure that almost every knitter has a stash that is out of control (even if we don't see it that way!)... and other projects and shiny things distract us from our goals... so, at the suggestion of a friend, I have created a
self-imposed sock club! 

I decided this year that I'll knit at least 6 pairs of socks; one pair every other month, in addition to my other knitting and designing.  One sock a month; that's not too difficult, right?  Right!  Time to get organized!  While noone was home, (important because as a fiber artist I can't reveal the actual amount of yarn in my stash... also important because non-fiber people don't understand and I have to begin dispensing anti-anxiety medication!), I hauled out my ENTIRE yarn stash, and all the patterns of socks that I have been intending to make... After I selected patterns (I chose 7 so that there's one extra just in case something goes awry) I went through my sock yarns and matched fiber to pattern and bagged each project up in 1 gallon ziplock baggies.  These are stored in a plastic storage tub and are all ready to be cast on!  In Ravelry, I spent some time queuing each of the projects up, and attaching the yarns to each of the projects.

It's the morning of February 1, 2011.  The sun is bright and the sky is clear in San Francisco.  I got my bucket of projects out and wrote each project name on a piece of paper, and put them in a dish for the drawing.  (The dish happens to be one of my own wheel thrown and altered ceramic pieces, featuring the image of none other than Elizabeth Zimmerman!)

Take a deep breath, and select the lucky first project for the self-imposed sock club!

The winner is:  Sideways Socks by Lanna Grossa!  I am happy that this is the first pair of socks.  Most of the sock is knit flat on circular needles, then grafted up the back.  The toe allows for a few minutes of work on double pointed needles... I recommend it for knitters who say they don't love knitting socks - I expect they will move quickly once I get going on them, and I'm already feeling good about using what I already own!

If you are on Ravelry, you will be able to see my up-to-date progress on this project by clicking HERE
(My Ravelry ID is kylewilliam)

If you'd like to join me knitting this pattern, it can be downloaded for FREE by clicking HERE.  If a pattern is posted by the publisher online, I'm able to provide the link.  Many of the patterns I selected for my self-imposed sock club are from books I own or patterns I already purchased.  I will be sure let you know where you can go to get the pattern with each installment.

Hopefully this is inspiring for you and it helps you to create a self-imposed club of your own!  Make a club with sweater patterns... scarves... hats... mittens... whatever you are obsessed with for 2011.  Create some order in your craft and help yourself justify the ginormous quantity of fiber and goodness that is surely sitting ready to go in your own stash!

Happy Knitting!

I have been working hard to complete lots of projects that have been lingering on my knitting needles.  Fellow knitters, you know what it's like to have a bunch of projects incomplete and in various stages of frustratingness.  Since my move to San Francisco, I have become quite focused on completing the projects I started, and being well-planned when it comes to starting new ones.  That being said, I am happy to share with you, Carlito; a recently-completed cabled cardigan, and Cure; the hat pattern I designed for HIV/AIDS awareness!

Carlito Cardigan by Matthew Gnagy
Yarn: Berroco Peruvia
Began: May, 2010
Completed: December, 2010
Visit this finished object on Ravelry: http://ravel.me/kylewilliam/cc

I bought the yarn for this project at WEBS during our real life visit May, 2010 , and cast on at the Men's Spring Knitting Retreat 2010 in Easton, NY. The project is rewarding, interesting and beautiful... My only notes are:

1. Be sure to center the pattern when picking up the stitches on the back panel - it’s important to divide the cable panel in half then half again (use safety pins or something to divide) and evenly distribute the stitches - otherwise you’ll end up with an uneven back and it’ll look icky… like mine did… and I had to rip it out and re-do it!

2. The length to the waist is shorter than I thought it would be.  Because of all the ribbing and traveling angled details, it could stand to be a touch longer.  If I were to re-knit this again I'd probably either knit it a little longer or not bind off at the bottom (leave those stitches live until it's assembled to ensure proper length.

Contrary to popular belief, cables are not difficult.  The only issue I find with this style of knitting is that it takes concentration and moves more slowly than other pieces I like to knit.  That being said, the reward of completing something such as the Carlito Cardigan makes the hours of knitting invested quite worthwhile! 

A portion of the proceeds from sales of this pattern will be donated to help fund HIV/AIDS Research.

$4.00 (.pdf pattern download)

Have life saving information to share with someone the next time they ask about the hat you’re wearing. Using this pattern, it’s easy to create a custom hat supporting HIV/AIDS awareness! Check out the fact sheet at the end of the pattern to learn more about this disease and what you can do to help reduce your risk.

Knit in the round, this hat features two motifs - the virus and the ribbon.  As the artist, you get to select the quantity and order of these motifs! 

It's not the most beautiful photograph ever, but the scarves and hats that my friends sent in for Operation Gratitude are GORGEOUS!  I think I counted over 30 pieces - and you all took time to write notes to the soldiers - these aren't your every day hats and scarves - some of them are intarsia, cables... beautiful fibers - it's really a treat to get to bring these to Operation Gratitude for them to be sent out to the soldiers.

THANK YOU for your contributions!

OTHER NEWS:

Lots of things are going on - most importantly I'm working on getting rid of things, and doing my best to knock my yarn stash into a reasonable size... here are some of the bins of yarn that are random and sorted by color:

piles and piles of yarn - reds, oranges, greens, blues, whites, blacks, browns, all kinds of colors - fancy crazy yarns, eyelash yarns, ribbon yarns, cashmere yarns, lace weights, DK yarns, bulky yarns, hand spun yarns, hand dyed yarns, silks, all kinds of yarns!  Therefore, I will be offering yarn grab bags by color - stay tuned!