Pre-Rhinebeck Untangling: Dragonfly Fibers

By Lisa | September 5, 2019

Kate Chiocchio and Nancye Bonomo of Dragonfly Fibers.

This is the third in a series of blog posts featuring the fabulous sponsors of the 2019 Rhinebeck Trunk Show.

Dragonfly Fibers is one of the first indie dye companies I discovered, though it had launched in 2006, before I had even started knitting. Kate Chiocchio and Nancye Bonomo, based in suburban Washington, DC, were part of the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) scene that has produced a lot of indie talents. They and their yarn are familiar to anyone who has attended Maryland Sheep & Wool, Vogue Knitting Live NYC and Rhinebeck in recent years, with vivid colors like the fiery Airport Hot Sauce or explosive Firecracker.

Tell me about how you got started dyeing yarn.

Dragonfly Fibers began with our love of color and texture. Kate learned to quilt and sew, and then became fascinated with fiber. Learning to felt, spin, and knit evolved into a need to dye it. We learned so much from other dyers and spinners, both local and in the blogosphere. We got our start at the same time as Karida of Neighborhood Fibers and Gryphon and Sarah of the Sanguine Gryphon, and later Cephalopod Yarns. We all supported each other and shared resources and processes. We still believe strongly that this collaboration is what our community is all about.

How did you decide on the name Dragonfly Fibers?

Kate is fond of skulls and dragonflies. While she really wanted her branding to feature skulls, her Stitch and Bitch buddies forcefully advocated that dragonflies would be friendlier and maybe sell yarn more effectively. Kate is still not sure about this.

Do you have a favorite color or colors, and have they changed since you became a dyer?
Nancye is partial to the purples, such as Royal, Arya, and Heroine. Kate has loved Riptide and Rocky Top since they first came on the scene. They both love Dragonberry.

When and how did you learn to knit?

Kate learned from her mom at age 8. She knit one lumpy red scarf, and put the needles down until after age 40. She bought some wooden needles and How to Knit booklet and hasn’t looked back. Nancye learned during a January term in college and then picked it back up in earnest after the birth of her first child.

Do you enjoy any other crafts in addition to knitting?

Definitely! We love spinning, felting, and weaving. Lately, we have been sewing like mad fiends and dipping our toes into eco-dyeing and visible mending.

Is there a color that you would love to dye, but that is challenging to create?
Great question! We are completely visual, and love to create from images. Oxidizing copper and the beach, sand included, are both great challenges. Also,the perfect red to purple gradient has yet to be achieved.

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

For Kate, it is an Empire Ave Cardi knit in Dance Rustic Silk many years ago. Nancye loves her Fair Isle Skirt in Traveller; knitted skirts are just so fun.

You were one of the earliest indie dye brands I discovered. How have you navigated the changes in the industry over the years?

While we work hard to bring the new yarns, projects, and colorways that our customers crave, we have remained true to the original spirit of Dragonfly. We bring a unique style of dyeing to the industry that is not truly replicated anywhere else. Our colors are bold, and often combined in unexpected ways. There are many beautiful yarns out there but only one company that makes the Colors of Happiness.

What are you bringing to Rhinebeck?

So many things! An exclusive 2019 Rhinebeck colorway inspired by the great state of New York. Two new kits: three combos for Andrea Mowry’s Stonecrop sweater and rainbow sets to make the Love is Love hoodie by our own Susan Powell. “Starter packs” for Caitlin Hunter’s Soldotna Crop in 2 and 4 oz Traveller. All of our yarn bases, including mohair and silk laceweight Faerie, our newest yarn. Huge quantities of our most popular colorways. And, last but definitely not least, Dragonfly Farewell Tour tote bags.

What to stash this week: Last call

By Lisa | August 16, 2019

Jennifer of Spirit Trail Fiberworks is sadly closing the doors on her indie dyeing operation after 18 years (!). She’s having one final shop update that’s going on now. The skeins are going fast, so head over to her site ASAP!⁣

Fellow sailors, Cooperative Press made a thing for us. A few things, actually. Their K1FU T-shirt, which particularly comes in handy when you’re counting, is available to preorder through August 31, along with two other fun designs. T-shirt sales go toward helping indie publishing thrive.

Judging by Heather of Sew Happy Jane’s dye pots, which are full of cinnamon, caramel, brown sugar, red wine, pumpkin, crunchy leaves and golden light, she’s ready for fall!

While we’re a ways off from Mardis Gras, Mardi Gras Nights is one of IU newcomer Jennifer of Bugbear Woolens’ favorite colorways. It’s available on any of her yarn bases or spinning fiber.

You have one more week to preorder Earl Grey Fiber Company’s peak purple colorway, inspired by Naches Peak at Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park.

Join Slipped Stitch Studios in the Upside Down today at noon Pacific time. Four indie-designed tributes to Stranger Things will be available for preorder through Monday only.

Julia of Pandia’s Jewels is also in a fall state of mind and her Fall into Halloween Collection will debut on her website starting today at 10 a.m. Eastern.

Amanda of Handmaine Knits has debuted yarn and knitting-inspired mugs in three exclusive designs with original artwork.

Patricia of BeesyBee Fibers had her first shop update in a while with plenty of hand-dyed yarn and spinning fiber.

Join Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations for a Mystery Knit A Long inspired by a few favorite locations in her hometown. The KAL, which runs from September 2-30, includes cables, lace and slipped stitches.

As Lisa The Knitting Artist begins her fourth year of teaching art, she’s celebrating with a back-to-school yarn sale! All yarn and prints in her Etsy shop are 20% off through the end of August, no code needed.

Preorders for Stash Yarn Club’s September shipment, which features Forbidden Fiber Co., are open now.

Preorders for the Lambstrings Yarn Spooky Holiday Advent Calendars are now available.

What to stash this week: indie yarn remix

By Lisa | June 14, 2019

Brooke of Fully Spun has opened sign-ups for her super cool REMIX subscription club! For this quarterly club, Brooke takes one of her Fully Spun Sock colorways — hand-dyed and then millspun yarn with the look of handspun — gives it a… remix, changing up the third ply for a whole new effect. Each month you will receive the colorway of the month, exclusive for the club duration, and a mini skein to match.

Mary’s latest sweater is an homage to our favorite neuroscientist, Amy Farrah Fowler from The Big Bang Theory. Farrah Fowler is a top-down v-neck cardigan with raglan stockinette sleeves and a simple cable pattern on the front and back.

The Murky Depths Relationships Matters set is a deconstruction of Debbie’s popular It’s Complicated colorway. The colorways — It’s Complicated, Opposites Attract, Have We Met and No More Shall We Part — are available on Deep Sock, including as a kit with one full 100-gram skein of each color.

Dawn of Fairy Tale Knits has partnered up with Tabitha’s Heart Design on an all-new Doctor Who inspired KAL! The pattern is a shawl inspired by the pan-dimensional surfboard from Doctor Who, and Dawn has four different sets of companion colorways ready to go as kits.

Round Table Yarns’ newest yarn club, the Knight with Two Sword Yarn Club, is open for sign-ups. Yarn club sign-ups through June 24. The club is based on the Arthurian legend of the Knight with Two Swords and you’ll receive part of the story in each shipment.

You have until next Sunday, June 23, to order Dami’s Glacier National Parks-inspired colorway. Swiftcurrent is available on two luscious MCN bases, Swanky Sock and Swanky DK.

For those of you who don’t know, Knitting Our National Parks brings together several talented indie dyers to create exclusive-to-IU colorways inspired by photos of U.S. national parks. And it’s a yarn purchase you can feel extra good about, since 10% of all sales will be donated to the National Park Foundation.

Farm Girl Fibers opens preorders for her Favorite Things Advent calendars on Sunday.

Preorders for Lambstrings Yarn’s spooky October “Advent” calendars are open until June 22.

Nutmeg Fibers is holding an online indigo dyeing workshop.

What to stash this week: A sweater a day

By Lisa | May 31, 2019

Sheila of BigFootFibers is taking custom orders for the Olive Knits Four Day Sweater KAL. She is offering orders on BrilliantBritFoot Worsted (Superwash BFL) SuperSquishy Worsted (Superwash Merino) and the new, rustic SassyLassy Worsted (85% Superwash Merino/10% Donegal tweed).

Welcome Indie Untangled newcomer Beckie! This Canadian dyer named her yarn company Shirley Brian Yarn after her grandmother, a prolific knitter, and her late father. Beckie just had a shop update with 23 new colorways and old favorites on her Sailor Sock base.

Thao of Nerd Bird Makery, who aims to create inclusive products reflecting the multicultural diversity found throughout the fiber community, has a line of enamel pins that are a playful celebration of Asian culinary traditions (and if I were you, I’d grab one or two of those Woolsabi enamel pins, seen above posed with a certain La Bien Aimée exclusive colorway, before they sell out).

If you’re looking for a lightweight yarn to knit with this summer, try Fluffy U Fiber Farm‘s wool, linen and silk blend.

Preorders for project bags and accessories in steampunk designs from Slipped Stitch Studios go live today at 9 a.m. Pacific time.

Talk about a grab bag: Maker Heather of Beautiful Syster has a fun mystery club, for which members receive a bag in an exclusive fabric as well as a mini skein in a coordinating color from one of her favorite dyers.

Shanna of Lambstrings Yarn just had a huge shop update with more than 200 skeins, including plenty of Singles, Sock, DK, Bulky, Mohair Lace and mini skein sets. Plus, preorders for Caitlin Hunter’s Navelli Tee kit are still open.

Check out the new Kindred Spirits colorway from IU newcomer DiamondDyeworks.

What to stash this week: game of blooms

By Lisa | April 12, 2019

Designer Mona of bunnymuff will capture the beauty of Big Sur in her upcoming MKAL. The top-down, triangle-shaped shawl, called Blooming Big Sur, is inspired by the amazing wildflower bloom at Big Sur. You can preorder the colorful kit from Elevate Fibers (where the sale of every skein supports a national forest!) receive a code for $2 off the purchase of the pattern. The four clues will be released weekly starting May 1 and there will be two threads in the bunnymuff Ravelry group — one for shawl-related chat and one for spoilers.

Sara of La Cave a Laine’s new bag collection is filled with spring colors and patterns, including florals, leaves and koi carps — inspired by a delicacy of the southern Alsace, where Sara hand crafts all her bags.

This is your grandmother’s knitting, in the best possible way. Dottie Jane is a new collaboration from Heather of Sew Happy Jane and brioche master Lesley Ann Robinson of Knitgraffiti. The shawl is named for the colorway, Hattie Jane, which Heather named after her grandmother, and for Lesley’s late grandmother Dottie.

The Big Foot Fibers’ Mini Set Of the Month is called Easter Lily. The five-skein set on 85/15 extra fine Merino and nylon are available to preorder now.

This HBO epic might be coming to an end, but Marietta of Inner Yarn Zen is making her first Game Of Thrones kit available to mark the end of the series.

Selena of Sweater Sisters has nine colors in a cheerful spring palette up in her shop, available on four different fingering-weight bases.

Slipped Stitch Studios will have Pretty Sweary bags from artist Cynthia Frenette in the shop today at 9 a.m. Pacific.

Jeanne’s colorway for the latest installment of Knitting Our National Parks is inspired by Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a hop, skip and a jump to her Cleveland studio. It’s available to preorder until next Friday, April 19. As always, 10% of sales will be donated to the National Parks Foundation.

McMullin Fiber Co.’s April club is a surprise skein of spring speckles inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, plus a progress keeper from Amanda of Little Bitty Delights.

Eden Cottage Yarns is introducing two new yarns: a baby alpaca and silk Aran weight called Askham Aran, and Hayton DK, a DK-weight MCN. Both will be available in an update at 8 a.m. UK time on Monday.

Amy of Summit Rd Fibers also has new spring colorways, including Rusty Grape, Peachy Keen, Jelly Bean, Crisp Lemonade, Bella The Budgie, Sea Glass, Punk Princess and Melted Crayons, named via an Instagram giveaway.

Celebrate Easter with Purple Lamb’s Eight Days of Easter yarn kits, which consist of eight 10-gram minis (50/50 Merino/silk, not eggs) in pastel colorways.

Heather of Heather’s Yarn Barn has teamed up with the shopping site Zulily.com, and 10 of her colorways will be available at a deep discount from April 14 to 17.

What to stash this week: The Indie Project

By Lisa | March 29, 2019

Sam of Lavender Lune Yarn Co. has created the ultimate low-comittment indie yarn club with what she has dubbed The Indie Project. Each month, she teams up with another dyer and each of them take a stab at creating one-of-a-kind colorways based on a common inspiration photo. For April, Sam is working with Nicole of Hue Loco to create a set of yarn inspired by the photo above that can be used for a summer top designed by Olga from Handmade Closet. Preorders will go live in Sam’s shop this Monday, April 1 and they will be open for only one week.

To make up for your fiber festival envy, Sheila of BigFootFibers is giving 25% off when you purchase any four items, including mini skein sets, like her Luck ‘O the Irish Mini Skein Set of the Month.

Stephanie of Rock Solid Designs just released these adorable Stealthy Sloth project bags. Because sloths are the new owls.

Augusta of adKnits has introduced new knitters’ mini sketchbooks, which are great for jotting down notes or sketching out a quick idea while on the go.

Elisabeth of Wolle’s Yarn Creations has new DK Color Changing Cotton yarns now available in six colors. They are perfect for summer tops that will actually knit up fast, at a gauge of 5 stitches per inch.

Julia of Pandia’s Jewels will be releasing her latest shawl pattern, called Winter’s Moon, in May and has created a Pandia’s Moon Box filled with everything you need to make the shawl. Preorders are open through this Sunday.

Missy of This Craft Or That has sets available for mug rugs, to hold your cup of coffee or tea and a small snack while you’re working on your WIP. The sets are dyed on Treasure Dust Minis a blend of Superwash Merino, nylon and Lurex.

Lisa The Knitting Artist has been busy creating new colors and designs. The biggest update is the addition of semi-speckled “paintwater” colorways and tonals that are perfect for fades and striping projects when paired with her original handpainted yarns.

Despondent Dyes has introduced a new non-Superwash sportweight base called Vintage Vixen.

What to stash this week: Last chance to go Skeinny Dipping

By Lisa | March 1, 2019

There are still a few sweater quantities of Journey Worsted available (pictured above is Redwoods), as well as Christine’s new Merino Silk Single, her Merino Single, Mericash Fingering and Canonball Sock available in the Virtual Trunk Show — but not for long.

Jen of Porterness Studio is celebrating her 5th birthday as a jewelry maker and you get a present! Use the code IU5Years to get 25% off your order until this Sunday, March 3. You’ll also get a free sterling silver stitch marker with every purchase.

Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations has added dragonfly shawl pins to her shop. Use one to add some sparkle to your favorite shawl, cowl, scarf or cardigan.

Liz of HighFiberArtz recently launched a yarn collection that shows off her style of dyeing. Each yarn in Liz’s Inspiration collection is based on a photograph. She also recently started dyeing sock blanks.

Victoria of Eden Cottage Yarns is collaborating with Jaya of Apoorva Designs on the Four Seasons Collection, which will include four shawls or wraps inspired by Jaya’s favorite poems. Sign-ups for a subscription to the collection, which will include the yarn, pattern and other goodies, begin today at 7 p.m. UK time. At the same time, the next round of signups will open for The Potting Shed, a monthly yarn subscription club. And, finally, Victoria will be having a regular shop update featuring Oakworth 4ply, a 100% Superwash NZ Polwarth, at 1 p.m. UK time on Sunday.

Summit Road Fibers has opened preorders for an April Fool’s Mystery Pack.

What to stash this week: canyon of yarn

By Lisa | February 1, 2019

For this round of Knitting Our National Parks, Stephanie of SpaceCadet Yarns was drawn to the gorgeous browns, greys and oranges of the canyon that appear to be reflected in the hazy sky, with the shock of turquoise of the Gunnison River running through it. Her Gunnison colorway is available on not one, not two, but four different bases, from fingering to worsted! You can preorder the yarn on Indie Untangled through Friday, February 15 and will ship the last week of March. As always, 10% of sales will be donated to the National Park Foundation — the last round provided more than $800, which will go to the parks that need the most help after the recent government shutdown.

Once Again, a collaboration between Marian and designer Deb Gerhard, features a Fair Isle yoke combined with simple cables, showing off either a gradient or a subtle variegated colorway. The yarn is available via Marian’s website and the pattern can be found on Ravelry.

Knit Collage creates unique handspun yarn, as well as yarn that is made from fabric. It is true art yarn, enhanced with flowers and ribbons or spun into interesting textures with fun colors.

February’s installment of the McMullin Fiber Co. Literature Society is inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma. Act fast if you want a yarn that is “handsome, clever and rich,” as signups close February 5.

For The Indie Project, Sam of Lavender Lune Yarn Co. is teaming up with a new indie dyer each month, and each of them will dye a colorway inspired by the same photo. For February she is teaming up with Joyce of The Flying Kettle. The two-skein kit is available to preorder through February 7.

Designer Kelly Sandusky of Aspen Knits has designed the Pinnacle Shawl with two DK-weight skeins of dyer Heather’s favorite colorways, Sassy Ballerina and Honey Mead. The shawl has a variety of stitch patterns and the heavier weight helps this project fly off the needles. You can use the colors in the sample or create your own from the selection of Delightful DK in the Sew Happy Jane shop.

TGIS: Thank Goodness It’s Sheep! Laura and Co. have bags in three fun fabrics, a limited-edition “Woolfred” Yarn Sock and a new wider medium-sized project bag. All of it is on sale today starting at 9 a.m. Pacific time and until Monday at midnight.

Last chance for Margarita Day, the first installment of Despondent Dyes’ Faux Holidays Club.

Cog Yarns has openings for a February Mystery Sock Club.

Eden Cottage Yarns is having a DK update and a Yarnuary sale.

What to stash this week at VKL or not

By Lisa | January 25, 2019

At this year’s VKL NYC, MollyGirl Yarn is part of what has been dubbed the Megabooth, a collaboration between Angela, Woolyn, One Geek To Craft Them All, Yarn Over New York and Wee Ones Creations. Highlights include the City Windows kit, which includes a pattern by Rachel of Woolyn, and skeins from MollyGirl and Yarn Over New York, a new base called Boogie Woogie comprised of 85% Italian Superwash Merino and 15% nylon, Rock Star Sport for all those new sportweight patterns, signups for Volume II of Mollygirl’s Spotlight club, which is themed around the musical Wicked, and a new set of fun enamel pins featuring artwork by Xandy Peters — one of the folks Angela met during that first VKL four years ago.

But if you’re not in NYC this weekend, don’t sweat it — everything shown on Angela’s Indie Untangled post will be available online on Monday, January 28!

Liz of HighFiberArtz, an Oregon-based IU newcomer, dyes colorways inspired by things around her, on high-quality bases in weights from lace to worsted.

Sew Happy Jane has a new base for the new year: Springy Sport, because sport is the new fingering. And get 10% off when you spend more than $100 with the code OVER100.

In plenty of time for V-Day, the Pandia’s Jewels Romance Collection features new colors, stitch markers and kits. There are several yarn bases to choose from, from fingering to DK weight.

Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations is opening sign-ups for her Enchanted Forest Shawl Pin Club. It includes a monthly shipment of an exclusive shawl pin, notions, as well as yarn, pattern and book suggestions.

Despondent Dyes is introducing the Faux Holidays Club.

Lambstrings Yarn just had a new beginnings-themed shop update.

What to stash this week: mini mani-yak

By Lisa | January 18, 2019

Stephania of Three Fates Yarn takes a different, less speckled path than other indie dyers, and her semisolids and gradients are perfect for colorwork projects that require the colors to stand out from one another. Enter her Helios mini skeins. Comprised of 60% Superwash Merino, 20% yak and 20% silk, they are a great match for items that require a bit of luxurious warmth with next-to-the-skin softness. Stephania has moved from Etsy to a new home on a new website, so step in and take a look around, and get to know her and her lovely yarns a little better.

Tamy recently debuted her Harpers Ferry shawl, which uses a main color contrasted with mohair and mini skeins (see above on where to get minis!). The result is a beautiful melding of high-contrast color, though you can also use a gradient for a more subtle look.

And speaking of minis… Jen of Porterness Studio has a new mini double-sided Yarn Life and stockinette motif sterling silver necklace. It’s designed to show flip as you wear it during the day to show off both sides. It normally retails for $125, but Indie Untangled readers get an introductory price of $95 with the code IndieYarnMini25 through January 24.

As the Outlander series comes to a close, so does Inner Yarn Zen’s Season 4 Outlander Unclub. Pictured is a photo of the yarn from Round 2, which is available on its own or as part of a package with all three rounds.

This is going to be Jennifer of Spirit Trail Fiberworks’ new view in New Mexico and it’s inspiring her New Beginnings yarn club. This quarterly club will ship in March, June, September and December and you can get one skein to up to four skeins per shipment.

Amanda of Wild Hair Studio has one of the few flocks of Romeldale/CVM sheep in the southeastern U.S. This breed, which is considered endangered, will be highlighted in her quarterly fiber club, which is now accepting members. Each club release will include roving, batts or smidgens (mini batts) of a Romeldale/CVM wool and/or Romeldale/CVM wool blend from her studio. If you’re more a knitter than a spinner, there is also a handspun option!

Slipped Stitch Studios is bringing you some enchantment under the sea. No, not the dance in Back To the Future, but a collection of project bags and other goodies featuring mermaids, sharks, narwhals and more. They’re on sale today at 9 a.m. Pacific time.

Kate of McMullin Fiber Co. hosting a winter make-along with prizes and loose rules. To enter, you can make a project using 50% or more of McMullin Fiber Co. materials and post about it publicly on social media. She’s kicking off the MAL with a sale: use the code TREATYOSELF for 25% off everything in the shop until January 24.

The latest October House Fiber Arts shop update includes a few colorful additions that should brighten up your dark winter days.

In time for the new year, Michelle of Crafty Flutterby Creations is releasing Tree of Life shawl pins, which symbolize rebirth and new beginnings.

Dye Is Cast Yarns has a limited edition Valentine’s Day 2019 colorway.