We're back with the second half of our dive into Fiber Fever yarns: the inspiration, materials, and the (sometimes unexpected) results! Thank you, Liz, for sharing more about your creative process.
What was your best "happy accident" when dyeing?
My best happy accident was probably our LYS Day 2024 colorway. At the time, I was working on both our Brewers-inspired colorway, Seventh-inning Stitch, and the 2024 Weird Science series.
One of the dyes used in Weird Science was especially difficult to work with. It’s a very fine powder that seemed determined to get everywhere. It’s the first and only time I’ve accidentally gotten dye into the wrong pan. When I noticed, I decided to lean into it and added a little more, fully expecting the yarn to end up with the other “castaway” yarn.
Instead, I loved it!
That accidental colorway became our LYS Day 2024 release. Ironically, what started as a mistake is now one of the most difficult colorways for me to reproduce because it almost never turns out exactly the same way twice.
What was your biggest dyeing mistake along the way?
Dyeing has taken me down so many different paths, and I’ve experimented with just about every aspect of the process along the way. Not every experiment has worked out the way I intended, but I don’t really see those as mistakes. Every attempt taught me something, whether it was a new technique, a better understanding of color, or simply what not to do next time.
Any advice for anyone looking to experiment with dyeing yarn?
Have fun and embrace the process. There isn’t just one right way to dye yarn and some of the most interesting results come from experimentation. Stay curious, try new things, and don’t be afraid of unexpected outcomes…you never know where they might lead.
Some of our most popular colorways are the Weird Science collaborations. Do you have more of those in mind for the future, with them or with other dyers?
I love our Weird Science series too! I originally created it to show just how much variety exists in hand-dyed yarn. Even when multiple dyers start with the exact same colors, each of us brings our own techniques, style, and creative vision to the process, resulting in completely different colorways.
Tabitha from Fainting Goat Fiber Co., Sam from Slam Fiber Co., and I plan to do another round, so keep your eyes peeled. We were also excited to have Trish from Honey & Clover Fiber Co. join for the most recent collaboration and would love to have her back for future experiments.
Beyond the yarn itself, one of my favorite parts of the series has been seeing everyone's interpretation come to life. I love how it gives us an opportunity to collaborate, compare notes, and appreciate the creativity that makes hand-dyed yarn so unique.
How do you source yarns to dye? And dyes?
I spend a lot of time researching and testing. When I'm evaluating a new yarn base, I'm looking at everything from fiber content and construction to how it takes color, how it feels in the hand, and how it performs once it's knitted or crocheted.
New yarn bases come from a variety of sources, including recommendations from the Fiber Fever team. One of my favorite bases was actually suggested by Emily. It was completely new to me, and I spent quite a bit of time tracking down the right source. Today it’s one of my favorite yarns to dye and one of my favorite yarns to knit with.
When it comes to dyes, I take a similar approach; experimenting, testing, and refining over time. Finding the right materials is an ongoing process, and one of the parts of dyeing that I enjoy the most.
Any bases you haven't tried yet but are interested in dyeing? Or dyeing methods?
Plant-based fibers are at the top of my list! Most of my dyeing experience has been with protein fibers, so I’m curious about the unique challenges and opportunities that cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, and other plant-based fibers bring to the dye pot.