What to stash this week: A new yarn blooms

By Lisa | September 17, 2021

For this year’s Indie Untangled Where We Knit Yarn Club, Giulia and Stefania of Italy-based Lanivendole partnered with designer Soraya García. Their inspiration was one of the photographs Soraya took when she arrived at her new house in Amsterdam, just before the first lockdown. Giulia and Stefania created Home Blooms, a silvery gray with pops of orange, pink and gold, which they dyed on their A Chic Blend, which is comprised of 60% Brogna wool, 20% alpaca and 20% mohair, bred and spun in Italy.

Soraya used a skein to design her New Age Mittens, which she says are “inspired by the idea of the home as cage and refuge during the days we would soon understand as a new era.” Soraya and I are both fans of the Velvet Underground and the mittens are named after one of their songs.

You can now preorder this special colorway for a limited time on Indie Untangled. Get ready for a new season and grab a skein for Sori’s mittens, plus extra for a matching hat (or several for a matching sweater… seriously, this yarn is amazing).

Sara of La Cave à Laine’s latest pattern is Papirus, a classic triangle shawl with easy-to-remember lace and stockinette bands. It, along with all of Sara’s patterns, are 47% off throughout the weekend to celebrate her birthday! Use the code HBSARA47 at checkout.

Halloween is not just for the kiddles. Trick or treat yo’self with a special Trick-or-Treat Bag from Jill of Jilly & Kiddles. It includes one full skein of mystery yarn in your preferred weight and a treat, with a special prize thrown into every seventh one ordered.

Do you know about the Stashmonster? This creature flies between yarn lovers’ homes trading skeins and multiplying your stash when you’re not looking. Kate of Bad Lux Designs has captured the Stashmonster in enamel pin form.

Natalie of Fiberdog Fibers is celebrating her handspun yarn and fibers that use non-white fleeces. Natalie has washed, picked, carded, dyed and spun everything herself. If you subscriber to her newsletter, you get 20% off this month.

Lisa The Knitting Artist is holding a flash sale on all her “Turpentine OOAK” colors, made with runoff from her variegated yarns. These colors are $15, marked down from $22.

Jenny GL of Kountingsheep has released Hello Starshine, a crochet asymmetrical triangle shawl.

What to stash this week: Hello, yellow

By Lisa | September 3, 2021

Mary Annarella’s latest release is the perfect transition piece. Called Yellow Brick Rodeo, this is a quick knit that lets you take advantage of a show-stopping variegated colorway. The spiraling zigzag pattern is simple and worked with sporadic slipped stitches. Once the yoke is complete, the stockinette bodice and sleeves are easily lengthened. The pattern is on sale at a 30% discount through tomorrow with the code lionsandtigersandbears on either Ravelry or Payhip.

Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations has added Sincere Sloths to her menagerie of end minders, which can keep your ends tidy, store yarn for repairs, tame your joins, or make a handy portable color swatch.

Soak is known for it’s amazing garment care products (it’s the only soap I use for my handknits and delicates) and they recently released hand sanitizer! They come in perfectly portable 3 oz. and 8.4 oz. bottles and are now available to preorder on Indie Untangled.

Get to know more about Zwartbles, the European breed that offers black wool with a red undertone. Monica of Gothfarm Yarn uses it for her Ultisol base, a 2-ply worsted weight that’s also available as spinning fiber.

What to stash this week: summer into fall

By Lisa | August 27, 2021

Nikki and Jay of Laneras Yarn Company have released their new fall palette, available on wool yarn that is ethically sourced and sustainably produced in Uruguay and hand dyed in North County San Diego.

Wrap up your summer with Fairy Tale Yarn Co’s Gamer Days of Summer set. Dawn’s set comes with 12 individually-wrapped packages and includes 10 hanks of Dragon’s Magic 50 (Superwash Merino fingering weight) and three video gamed-themed extras.

Beer me a skein! The WoolenWomenFibers crew created this “flight of beer fade” mini set with beer progress keepers for BostonJen’s Pigskin party KAL.

Stitch Stuff Yarn is celebrating summer with a sale! Get 15% off all yarn with no coupon code required (the discount is applied at checkout).

You have until the end of the month — that’s this Tuesday! — to snag this December countdown box. It comes with mini skeins from 27 dyers and goodies from four makers interpreting wintertime images of U.S. national parks. A portion of sales will be donated to the National Park Foundation and the Native American Rights Fund, so it’s a purchase you can feel extra good about. I hope you can join us on this exciting trip!

This park is also closing: Faery’s yarn and fiber, inspired by Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, is only available preorder on Indie Untangled through the end of the day today.

What to stash this week: A detour to Mesa Verde

By Lisa | August 13, 2021

For the latest installment of Knitting Our National Parks, Faery of Apothefaery Luxury Fibers takes us to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features hundreds of cliff dwellings once occupied by the Ancestral Puebloan people. Inspired by the photo above, captured by Steven Yabek, Faery created two colorways — the variegated Luminaria and the semisolid Spruce Treehouse. They will both be available on four bases, from lace to DK, plus Luminaria will be dyed on U.S.-grown Rambouillet spinning fiber.

These colors will be available to preorder on Indie Untangled until Friday, August 27. As always, 10% of all sales will be divided between the National Park Foundation and the Native American Rights Fund.

Ashleigh Wempe’s San Angelo shawl is inspired by her former Texas home and its mesquite artwork inlaid with turquoise. This triangular shawl features short rows, wrapped stitches and mosaic colorwork. Use the coupon code MESQUITE to get 10% off this pattern until midnight on August 16.

A collage of national parks photos with purple, blue and orange tones and the words A National Parks New Year

Preorder A National Parks New Year

I’ve brought together 27 dyers and four makers for A National Parks New Year, a month-long journey through the U.S. national parks in wintertime! Preorders for this New Year countdown box will be available through the end of August or until they sell out (and it’s already more than half sold!).

What to stash this week: Summer tour with tea

By Lisa | July 9, 2021

Selena of Sweater Sisters has two new shawl kits up on the website and they’re both on sale through July 14.

In honor of the Tour de Fleece, Monica of Gothfarm Yarn is offering buy one get one 30% off on all rovings. Just enter code SPINIT at checkout.

Stitch Stuff Yarn is offering a Tea Time Mystery Club inspired by antique and modern cups/mugs. This is a month-to-month preorder.

Plies & Hellhounds Yarn has opened preorders for the Dark Academia Yarn Count Down.

What to stash this week: Yarn with a side of sass

By Lisa | July 2, 2021

Lakisher’s journey to becoming the dyer behind Sassy Black Yarns began more than 20 years ago, all the way back in 1998, when she was serving in the U.S. military and stationed in Seoul, Korea. She had the opportunity to tour a fabric mill and fell in love. Fast forward nearly 10 years to when she learned to crochet to make her newborn son a blanket. And then speed ahead to last year, she decided to turn her love of hand-dyed yarn into a business.

Preorders are open for Un Besito Fibers’ 2021 Advent Calendars, which celebrate travel around the world.

Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations has brought her unique Twirl shawl pin design out of retirement and added an elegant freshwater pearl.

Monica of Gothfarm Yarn has a Top 6 list of summer picks, including her Gothfarm Yarn t-shirts, made from 100% cotton and screen-printed locally in Austin, Texas.

The latest installment of the Teton Yarn Company’s Full Moon Color Series celebrates the Strawberry Moon, the last Super Moon of 2021. It’s dyed on Denali Fingering, a luxurious blend of Merino/yak/silk.

Natalie of Fiberdog Fibers, who creates spinning fibers and yarn from the raw fleece, is having an Independence Day sale. Through Sunday, there are automatic discounts ranging from 10-20% off.

Sharon’s naturally-dyed yarn is far from boring. You can explore the colors of nature through Flora Adora Fibers and get free Shipping with the code INDIEUNTANGLED through July 6.

Preorder WoolenWomenFibers’ masquerade ball-themed mystery box for Halloween that includes 13 minis and treats, or wait until December for the Enchanted Christmas box.

The first ever installment of the Jilly & Kiddles Summer Fun Boxes are almost gone! Grab your box of summery fingering weight mini skeins and extra-special extra goodies.

The Forbidden Fiber Co. 2021 Advent theme is Random Acts of Kindness. The calendar features 25 wrapped gifts, including 18 25g skeins of Fortitude DK Superwash Merino yarn.

What to stash this week: See you in October!

By Lisa | June 25, 2021

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been getting a lot of questions about what our plans are for Rhinebeck. Well, after many conversations about what an October show might look like, I’m excited to announce that an in-person Indie Untangled is officially a go!

We plan to share all the details, including the vendor list and entry times, in a couple of weeks, but here’s what we can tell you:

The event will take place on Friday, October 15 in Saugerties, NY. Vendor booths will be set up in covered, open-air pavilions with hard floors

Tiered entry tickets will go on sale at 12 noon Eastern on Saturday, July 17

If you can’t make it to the Hudson Valley or are unable to get tickets, or will be joining us but want more opportunities to shop and connect, we are also holding a virtual event

We can’t wait to see you in October!

Stephania of Three Fates Yarns is offering Winter Solstice countdown kits and has hand-dyed spinning fiber available just in time for the upcoming Tour de Fleece.

Destin is Ashleigh Wempe’s new shawl pattern inspired by summer escapes. Use the coupon code BEACH to get 15% off the pattern through midnight on June 29.

Lisa The Knitting Artist just had a big shop update and has eight different mini sets, all inspired by her own original artwork.

Preorders are open for Woolen Women Fibers July mystery kits, including Christmas in July, ‘Gnome’ of the Brave, and more themes.

Victoria of Eden Cottage Yarns has added lots of new yarn to the website, including a few dyelots each of Pendle Chunky and Titus Fingering.

What to stash this week: Knitting under the lights

By Lisa | June 4, 2021

For the latest installment of Knitting Our National Parks — which marks the fourth anniversary of this series! — Terra of Mitchell’s Creations was inspired by a photo of the White Mountains National Recreation Area in Alaska, captured by Bob Wick of the Bureau of Land Management. Terra will dye Camping Under The Lights on two bases, Lagniappe Sock, a 75/25 Superwash Merino and nylon yarn, and Ça c’est bon a Superwash Merino DK.

The yarn is available to preorder through June 18 and will ship at the beginning of August 2021. 10% of all sales will be divided between the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, and the Native American Rights Fund, which provides legal assistance to help preserve tribal existence and natural resources, promote Native American human rights and hold governments accountable to Native Americans. I was inspired to donate to this organization after reading this article that explores the idea of returning our national parks to Native Americans.

The Grey Sheep Co. is a small family farm, nestled in the rolling hills of the Hampshire countryside in Southern England, that has been producing yarns from fine wool flocks for over a decade.

Sara of La Cave à Laine has introduced made-to-order bags, a collections of six different styles that she will make to order to your own specifications and choices, including a palette of hand-dyed colors!

Monica of Gothfarm Yarn debuted her new Karst base at last month’s Indie Spotlight show. Now this sportweight yarn, made from a blend of white Cheviot sheep wool and stormy Huacaya alpaca fleece, is available to everyone, along with a new sock pattern.

Stitch Stuff Yarn has two new summer bases. Silky Lace Stuff and Silky Sock Stuff are both 75/25 blends of Superwash Merino and Mulberry Silk, perfect for lacy shawls or summer tees.

Erika of Liverpool Yarns is celebrating the unofficial start of summer with a price drop. Her 50-gram skeins of 100% Shetland Wool are now $10 each, and her 25-gram mini skeins are now $5 each.

Spinners: Natalie of Fiberdog Fibers can help you get ready for the Tour de Fleece! She has washed, picked, carded and dyed up a storm for you and added ready-to-ship fibers to her shop.

Michele of MAB Elements is marking spring with rhodonite shawl pins.

Eden Cottage Yarns recently had an update with Keld Fingering, their Merino linen singles yarn.

What to stash this week: indie yarnie kits

By Lisa | May 21, 2021

As I was taking out my latest tote bag along on a few errands recently, I realized how much the color scheme matches some of the yarn I was showing off during my own virtual shopping sessions during Indie Spotlight, and the Scottish tea that I recently stocked up on, and I realized — these items belong together! So, I’m debuting Indie Yarnie Packs, which are the perfect way to kick off a season of outdoor knitting.

You have your choice of two themed and discounted packages, available while supplies last:

Spotlight Yarnie comes with an Indie Spotlight tote bag, a skein of Countess Ablaze Rebel Fingering (60% Superwash Merino, 20% silk and 20% yak/400 yds) in your choice of two colorways (pictured above is Rage Against the Knitting Machine), a box of tea from Scotland’s Eteaket, an Indie Untangled Sweater Fob and access to the Indie Spotlight marketplace and recordings. A $99 value for only $80!

Jetset Yarnie comes with an Indie Across the Pond tote bag, a skein of Countess Ablaze Rebel Fingering (60% Superwash Merino, 20% silk and 20% yak/400 yds) in your choice of two colorways (pictured below is I’m So Indie I Buy Yarns That Don’t Exist Yet), a box of tea from Scotland’s Eteaket, a set of Indie Untangled paper airplane stitch markers and access to the Indie Spotlight marketplace and recordings. A $109 value for only $90!

Nikki of Laneras has her Secretos fingering and Felicidad Light DK, both custom spun using Fine Uruguayan Merino, currently on sale, and domestic US orders of $90+ ship free!

Kate of Bad Lux Designs has created a collection of seven new colors inspired by antiques. The Antique Shop collection is available on bulky, DK, and fingering weights. Plus, 10% of all May profits are donated to the Human Rights Campaign.

Sarah’s May Full Moon colorway for the Teton Yarn Company, the Flower Moon, has risen. Inspired by the time when wildflowers begin to bloom across the Teton Landscape, the colorway is available in her new Yosemite yarn base, a 2-ply Superwash Merino with black plies.

Preorders are open for Wild Hair Studio’s 2021 December Fiber Advents. There are two themes to choose from and each includes 24 small packages and one large package of fiber, for a total of 10 ounces of ready-to-spin-or-felt fiber, plus a couple surprises.

Pre-Spotlight Untangling: Greenwood Fiberworks

By Lisa | May 12, 2021

This is the fourth in a series of blog posts featuring the fabulous sponsors of Indie Spotlight, taking place from May 14-16, 2021.

Carolyn of Greenwood Fiberworks is an indie dyer who is the rare triple threat: she knits, crochets AND spins, and so offers yarn, spinning fiber and knit and crochet kits. She’s been dyeing for a couple of decades (!) and shares her deep expertise at events and guilds across the country. While Greenwood Fiberworks is not a new company, we’re so excited to spotlight them and get them on your radar.

Tell me about how you got started dyeing yarn.

I began dyeing yarn about 20 years ago, the same time I learned how to spin. I spun literally pounds of white wool on a drop spindle and then wanted to dye it to make holiday stockings in a deep red and green. A friend told me I could use Kool-Aid as a dye, so I purchased a couple packets of lime and black cherry flavored mix. I soon learned that I needed much more than just a couple packets and returned to the store and purchased all they had on the shelf. I was finally able to get the deep colors I needed, but no matter how much I rinsed, there was still a fruity smell. I since learned to use professional grade dyes and love to put color on just about everything.

What inspires your colorways?

I live in the beautiful mountain west and the environment around me inspires a lot of my colorways. We have the beautiful red rock, deep mountains, and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Sometimes, colors come to me from a greeting card, a piece of fabric, or even my own imagination.

Do you have a favorite color or colors, and have they changed since you became a dyer?

Green has always been a favorite color of mine. It suits me since my name is Greenwood! I love it in all shades for the calm and peacefulness it brings.

Is there a color that you would love to dye, but that is challenging to create?

I find it challenging to make colorways with the color red. It seems to overwhelm the other colors I put with it. I’ve been able to come up with a few colorways such as American Diner or Dragon Scales, but it is still a challenge for me to put red in a colorway.

What are some of your most popular colorways?

Oh, that’s a hard one. I’d have to say Arcade, which is a more jewel-toned rainbow. Then there is Cappuccino, which seems to have many natural colors of creams, tans, and browns. Colorways with blues always seem popular, especially our Shades of Turquoise.

Can you share some of your plans for Indie Spotlight?

I’m looking forward to introducing our new colorway, Dragon Fruit. I wanted something bright and cheerful as we begin to come together again so I put together happy colors. I wasn’t sure what to name it, but my daughter said it looked like Dragon Fruit, and she was right! I’m also wanting to share some of our hand-dyed fibers for spinners and felters.

Pink and green yarn with branches on top.

Dragon Fruit, the Greenwood Fiberworks show special.

When and how did you learn to knit?

I was about seven or eight years old when my mother gave me a pair of long metal knitting needles and some worsted-weight yarn. She taught me to knit back and forth in garter stitch. I knit what was supposed to be a square hot pad, but it turned out to be more of a trapezoid. I still have it after all these years.

I’ve taken up crochet recently. One of my favorite projects is the Lost in Time Shawl that we’ve made with our DK Yakity Yak yarn.

What are some of your favorite FOs you or your customers have made with your yarn?

I think one of my favorite projects has been the Hitofude sweater. It drapes so nicely with our Yakity Yak yarn. I’ve made several of these and many of my customers have also. Another favorite is the Peek-A-Boo Lace Shawl because it makes great use of our mini skeins.

What’s currently on your needles?

I’m playing with a pair of jaywalker socks in our April Diamond colorway. I wanted an easy travel project as I’ll hopefully be headed to Boston to meet my new grandson soon!