Our tastes vary so vastly these days……some like Metallica, some like Katy Perry…some like the Wiggles, Frozen….. I like Bonobo, Royksopp and Bob Marley…. I look to reference books on natural history almost all the time as a jumping off point. I have a new book I found in a charity shop in Yamba on Australian gemstones….. I have books on butterflies, birds, astronomy, minerals, native wildflowers….
I am still dyeing a whole lot of yarn inspired by Australian native birds as the palette is endless and beautiful. I owe a lot to the Galah! A slightly more rustic lower twist merino DK like Carousal DK will look stunning with subtle handpainted sections. A merino nylon sock like Revelry sock will show speckling beautifully, whereas a single ply merino like Circus Single looks amazing as a semi solid tonal.
Basically, I have different favourites depending on the colourway I want to dye. I remember asking this same question to a very famous dyer….. Money is a huge part of a business and sadly not a fun part. I am a true mix! Some things I love knitting, or sewing. Other things get old. I was once a monogamous knitter. I think I should return to that…as I have WIPs that have been sitting there for ever and I am now no longer interested in the yarn, or the pattern or the finished object. Had I continued when I loved it I would have had a good year of great wear and enjoyment out of it!
I have a few quilts that I need to finish from a looonngggg time ago. I have other quilts that I have binge sewed for three days straight and we can snuggle under them and love them!
I have a great love of shawls and wear one constantly from as soon as the air cools in Autumn to sweating in Spring! I love kid knits and now my deep love of colourwork yoked sweaters is back and I am literally sleepless planning them! Now I can knit socks too and there are ten patterns that I have yarn and needles ready to go but I worry my skill level is not quite there yet! I am diving in to sock blanks!!! I have had some in stock ready to dye for ages and am finally now going to give it a go! I wanted to do something a bit different and I hope people like them.
They may be just a limited run, it will depend how they go…. I think they are a bit of fun as a novelty. Some beautiful things are making their way to the shop soon! I am most active on Instagram circustonichandmade. That is where I advertise updates and let people know a little about what is going on. I really look forward to real life events, market stalls and trunk shows in yarn shops and at retreats. All those sorts of things are advertised on all the social medias mentioned above, so I would love to bump into everyone one day!!
The magic of natural dyeing!
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Millpost Merino base on the left — Platypus Sock base on the right Is there an important tip you wish you have known early on and would give someone wanting to start their own yarn dyeing or creative business? Not just yarns — Simone also dyes the most beautiful silk scarves too, all using the dyes of the Australian bush Favourite colour? I am learning to love greens.
Related Products. Add to cart. Such pretty colourways!!! Happy knitting, xx Jess Related Products. Hannah is a queen in the art of yarn pyramid building!
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A couple of my Circus Tonic Handmade favourites: Scarlet Chested Parrot on Soiree Fingering, and Southern Fulmar on Revelry Sock Is there an important tip you wish you have known early on and would give someone wanting to start their own yarn dyeing or creative business? Skiing……in Japan!!! Favourite colour? Hard to say…but all the greys. Filter by Price.
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If you are trying your hand at knitting socks, I'd say give our Merino Twist base a go. Try one of our speckled colorways like Pop Grunge or our new color Drea where the speckles have such high definitions on our Merino Twist base. I am over the moon to have been able to work with you to create the new colorway - Drea! I would love to hear about the process from your perspective! We have been trying to work with Andrea for a while now but our schedules were not lining up and I felt like after watching her knit and produce her designs that we could develop a special colorway for her.
She had once told me that she loved Namu, one of our first speckle colorways and I felt like we could create something whimsical and special for her. I asked her to put together a mood board for us with colors that inspired her. Andrea did a fantastic job of bringing together a palette of sophisticated and modern colors for her board. We are thrilled to see what Andrea will make with Drea! For those of us still dreaming of the day we get to visit your shop in person, what is the best way to find your yarn? We have a brick and mortar shop in Paris, France. Our shop hours can be found here:.
We have monthly updates through our website: labienaimee. Also, follow us on Instagram for our insta-updates. We schedule regular updates but also update the website as stock becomes available. If you want a custom order 4 skeins or more of one color : you can write us at labienaimeeyarn gmail. Go for it! Keep positive. If you are wanting to start your own business of a yarn shop or dye shop, get organized and research the materials and investments that need to be made but in the meantime, play in your kitchen and hone your skills be it as a dyer or knitter.
Let your voice be heard in whatever creative media you choose. It was a risk leaving my office job and good pay to open this new concept shop but a risk I took because I knew if I waited any longer I wouldn't have done it. I interacted with as many creative minds, knitters, and crocheters as I could.
My husband says that I am a Puma. I agree that I have cat like personality, especially when it comes to sleeping during the day and being up all night long. I like to work at night. It seems to be the time I get the most work done. And now - back to the sweater!! I am so excited to introduce the Comfort Fade Cardi! Last spring when I released the So Faded pullover, I immediately began receiving emails from knitters who really wanted to knit a faded sweater, but they felt much more comfortable in a cardigan!
For me, a cardigan does double duty in my wardrobe - it signifies ultimate cozy comfort, but also is the perfect layer and makes my outfits feel complete.
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I couldn't wait to start designing a faded cardigan that I could wear ALL. I have found that Reverse Stockinette is the perfect canvas for fading and I knew I wanted a super cozy Garter shawl collar! The cuff fade is my favorite little detail of the Comfort Fade Cardi , and it's open style and slim sleeves make it incredibly flattering and the most unique sweater in my handmade wardrobe!
I really hope you love this sweater as much as I do!