Indie Untangled newcomer Barb of Spencer Hill specializes in naturally-dyed yarn, using materials such as indigo and logwood. Based in Corning, N.Y., Barb takes a “no two snowflakes” approach to dyeing, and revels in the variations between skeins. Since Barb is also an elementary school band director, her shop isn’t always chock full, but what’s there is definitely enough to tempt you. Since she’s on summer break, watch the IU marketplace for updates.
Margaret of Seaside Knitting Bags is another IU newcomer, and handcrafts her beautiful project bags out of upholstery and decorator fabrics from her cottage studio on Florida’s Gulf Coast. These bags look like they could easily do double duty as a purse and, according to Margaret, have enough structure to sit open by themselves, allowing you to concentrate on your work (and, hopefully, take in a nice view).
Kim’s recent shop update is inspired by — wait for it — Mother Nature. There’s Robin’s Egg, dyed on a soft and squishy Merino sock yarn, and a new colorway called Quiet Lake, which Kim dyed both in a gradient on a bulky Merino and as a variegated on BFL/Tussah silk top. Kim’s other new colorway, Sweet Sunset, is also available on the BFL/Tussah silk top. As a bonus, new customers receive 20% off of their first order with the code NEW20.
It’s a giveaway from Kettle Yarn Co.! You can win two skeins of Islington DK, a BFL/silk blend in the color of your choice by joining the Kettle Yarn Co. group on Ravelry and leaving a comment on the Boardwalk Collection giveaway thread saying which design in the collection you’d most like to knit and which color in the brights is your favorite.
Sarah of The Queen’s Ransome has settled into her new home along North Carolina’s intercostal waterway and the new colors and light have carried over into her dye pots. She’s also added three alpaca fingering-weight yarns — alpaca Merino twist, alpaca silk Cashmere and alpaca silk linen — and is planning to carry more worsted weight yarns, with custom dyed sweater quantities available. Also new: free shipping worldwide for the rest of 2015.
Peggy of ColorPurl has also been cooking up some naturally-dyed yarns on skeins with some luxurious fibers and generous yardage. New colors include Coral Green, which is available on a sparkly Merino/nylon/stellina base, a yellow/green gradient on 657 yards of BFL and Papaya on 600 yards of Merino/Cashmere/nylon.
All the way from Venice is Charly, a super chunky cowl with buttons from Italian designer Lilia Vanini. Lilia sells PDF patterns via her Etsy shop, and is happy to offer help to knew knitters via email.
