Marketplace

I don’t know about you, but there are yarns out there that I can’t resist. SHOCKING. For me, Kauni is one. If I had a whole wall with one (or two or three) of each colorway, just to look at while drinking my tea every morning, I could die a happy woman. Except…it’s a little scratchy. And you can only wear so many rainbow sweaters as an adult before people look at you funny.

Then on Ravelry, I came across the LightWaves pattern by Susan Ashcroft. Well. Say no more. I wanted to abandon everything I was working on, and pretty much did. Not only do I try not to dye the same skein twice, I rarely make the same pattern. This? I’ve made twice and #3 is in the wings. My Lalo baby alpaca/wool/silk blend makes the top of the shawl so soft and cozy, and you can get two shawls from one skein. Kauni make so many color choices, you could have fraternal-twin shawls and perhaps justify some of that stash. (I would never judge your stash, though, not me!)

I’ve posted some newly-dyed Lalos to give you some color inspiration (indigo/osage orange, weld, and cochineal), plus my first LightWaves. The Lalo top in that one was a one-off indigo overdye. The new skeins aren’t in the shop yet, but by the end of the weekend, they plus a few others (Pippi BFL sock, Nell MCN sock, and Lily Merino/silk) will be. Thanks for stopping by!

It’s time for a shop update!

While the tempratures slowly go down, I’ve started dreaming of Autumn, so I’ve dyed some warm Autumn-inspired colorways.

But hey, it’s still summer, so why don’t add a splash of color? There are some old and some new bright variegated colorways too.

And finally, I’ve also dyed some gradient sets. They are available in sets of mini balls, ready to be knit, you just have to find the perfect pattern and start knitting. And if you dream of a bigger project — maybe a gradient cardigan, or a big and cosy shawl? — there are pre-orders for bigger-sized skeins available, too.

All these beauties and more are available in the shop right now. I hope you’ll enjoy. 🙂
Valentina

Latest yarns from the dye pot: Coral Green Merino Gold and Glittery 438 yards, gradient BFL boasting 657 yards and Papaya MCN Extra measuring 600 yards. Perfectly measured for shawls or scarves or maybe a fabulous pair of knee socks. Delightfully squishy, springy and soft. With the larger skeins, your design possibilities expand exponentially. Happy Summer Knitting and Crocheting!

Welcome to Spencer Hill! I’m Barb Kish, and Spencer Hill is not only my company, but my beautiful almost-in-the-country neighborhood in Corning, NY.

I knit. I spin. I weave, embroider, and sew. I was lucky to grow up in a family that not only enjoys handwork, but has a deep respect for the time and effort that goes into it. I was taught that the end product is only as good as what you put into it-from your own effort to the materials you choose. I can still picture my grandma turning my work over to see if the “wrong” side was as tidy as the right.

I first experienced natural dyeing in particular while observing a class at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina (you should check it out if you like traditional craftwork). It was an indigo vat, and it was magic. I had to know how to do it myself, so I bought a kit for beginners, and never looked back. That was almost ten years ago, and once the amount of experimentation reached critical mass (i.e., I can’t knit as fast as I dye), I opened my shop.

You won’t find high-volume dyeing in my shop; this is partly because I’m also a full-time 4th and 5th grade band director! But it’s also in my post title: “never the same skein twice.” Part of what fascinates me about natural dyeing is that even if I use the same material, on the same yarn, on a different day, I’ll get something different. Heck, I’ve gotten something different from the bottom of the pot to the top! If you’re looking for something truly unique to give your handmade creations that something special, I hope you’ll visit my Big Cartel shop and see what else I have to offer. I’m in the middle of a big dyeing blitz (it’s summer break!), so watch this space for updates. I’m excited to be here on Indie Untangled! Thanks!

SnailYarn is a small Italian artisan yarn company which produces a variety of colours inspired by the nature that surround us, in Ariccia, in Rome’s countryside, and always taking care for yarn quality, and for environment safety.

We’re having a small update today, featuring some yarn that will work perfectly for your summer holiday knitting.

We have the super shiny BFL/silk fingering (Steel, Alpine lake, Misty mountain and Orchid), the summery Baby alpaca/silk/linen (Olive, Blueberry, Cloudy Sky) which is a very special yarn, with the softness of the baby alpaca, the shine of the silk, and the extra drape, and the tweedy effect, given by the linen. I’ve kept two skeins for me to knit a Jessie’s Girl, there are just few skeins available, so hurry to grab yours.

We also have lace yarns in various bases and colorways, and many sock yarns for all your need and fancy, there are variegated colourways, semisolid and tonal colorways, and different yarn bases.

And… We are working on our first anniversary update in mid August, there will be something new (like gradients, just to intrigue you 😛 ) the official launch of our new website, and more!

If you want to know when it will happen, and which will be the new products, and if you want to be kept up to date on all the news, events, and special promotions, sign up for our newsletter here.

I hope you’ll enjoy,
Valentina