Admiring Hand-Dyed Yarn

Lately, I have been admiring hand-dyed yarn every chance I get. It is like there has been a shift and my admiration for beautiful but mass-produced yarn has given way to appreciation for something more, dyed with love, care, and expertise. I’m particularly taken by yellows this season. Maybe it’s my inner longing for spring and its daffodils or just a throw back to the favorite color of my youth, but whatever the reason I am writing a pointless post just admiring all the pretty yarns I want but definitely don’t need. Six yarn companies specializing in hand-dyed fibres are listed below with my favorite of their hues, including my own brief description of the colorway and a link to a photo of the yarn wherever I could find it. The best part about hand-dyed? It’s one of a kind. Even within the same dye lot, variations occur so won’t be exactly like anything else in this world. If you are taking the time to hand knit something special, having it be made with hand-dyed yarn seems like the perfect way to do it right.

Hedgehog Fibres is my preferred luxury yarn – and yarn in general come to think of it – because the colorways are plucked straight from life and instead of cutesie names they are named for their inspiration. Each colorway evokes a different feeling and there are many times I see one that is not even in the neighborhood of a color I like yet the intricacy and depth of the hue in that skein captures my attention and adoration. For this reason, in addition to having favorite colorways, I have favorite fibres, Silk/Merino Lace, Silk/Merino singles, Sock yarn, Pure cashmere lace, Kidsilk Lace, and Merino/Cashmere. I mostly knit with the first three and give the last three as gifts since I have a wool/mohair allergy. I feel fortunate that the Silk/Merino and Sock combinations are just perfect for me to knit with and wear without constant sneezing. Now, my favorite Hedgehog Fibres colorways…

Biology is a medley of violet, greens, blue, and natural browns.
Cold Heart bears streaks of teal, blue-greens and subtle bursts of violet.
Graphite is for a chic project that you want to be neutral but not boring in its classic black and charcoal combination. Shown below in a ‘group photo’.
Kelp is deep underwater with its rich warm blues and kisses of green.
Lobster is lustrous coral and pink with a shiny shell when in silk fibre.
Malachite is a shining gem of aqua-green in luminosity of a true gemstone.
Mozambique embodies the fish and art that the coastal African nation is known for. Almost every natural jungle and ocean hue can be found in this colorway.
Opalite shines in any of the silky fibres to look like the opalescent inside of an ocean-dweller’s shell. Shown below in a ‘group photo’.
Petals reminds me of a branch from a Cherry Blossom tree. Soft golden buff bark with gentle pink petals dancing in a spring breeze. Shown below in a ‘group photo’.
Petrol is the shimmering black of oil that would be beautiful in almost any knit.
Pilgrim has shades of the subdued deep blue sea often crossed for the journey offering depth and enough variation to keep things interesting without being busy.
Pollen carries the sunshine and vibrant colors of summer’s blooms. It reminds me of the bright golden sheen that settles on my car’s windshield.
Sea Glass brings in the pale ocean-beaten blues and greens of cherished sea glass shards and nuggets found along the coast with a touch of dark olive green for the dried kelp.
Seagrass – I saw this once and remembered it, but haven’t been able to track it down for this post, so maybe it was a dream.
Sour Cherry is the beautiful deep red of a cherry pie filling or the center of a Linzer cookie. Shown below in a ‘group photo’.
Spell is the color of violets, bursting from the ground. I’m not much for purple, but this colorway has amazing depth.
Sprout carries the bold blues and greens of many of Hedgehog Fibres most popular colorways, but with streaks of gentle lavender and aqua. (Another photo here)
Tupelo reminds me of an Easter basket with colorfully dyed eggs, pastel candies, and delicately painted wood toys in patina green, peaches, and pale greens with golden undertones. (Another photo here)

Handmaiden’s Sea Three is a beautifully textured yarn in seacell and silk blends that are heavenly for those of us with wool allergies. My favorite colorways are…
Labrador named for the region of Canada with its dark slate gray stone coastline and deep cobalt blue sea.
Dandelion is a charming blend of yellows, golds, green, and gray.
I have Handmaiden’s Sea Three in a colorway I believe to be Hemlock (shown below).

Three Irish Girls create delicious colorways that remind me of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Each bears an Irish name, which suits its personality. You may be surprised at the brightness of my favorite colorways, but here goes…
Adara has gumdrop pinks with splashes of dark berry, pistachio, pale toffee, and orange sorbet.
Aiden reminds me of a pine forest beside a tropical bay with its rich brown, varied greens, and warm water blues.
Curran with its silvery-gray streaks and sky blue and cloud tones has a dream-like quality.
Devin and Padraig each have many of the forty shades of green Ireland is known for wrapped up in a vibrant package.
Estuary carries depth with its dark blue, green, and brown hues joined together in a combination that runs the risk of being subdued, but escapes it with the help of luminous spurts of aqua and lime.
Florry is one of my favorites because it reminds me of the ice cream parlor I knew growing up with the mint chocolate chip next to the strawberry and the vanilla, cherry, and banana all cheerfully awaiting their turn to be scooped. If you like it, you may also like Nora.
McNamara is an unassuming green with a little punch in the form of a patina-like sheen and warm ochre undertones. This would be great for a complicated pattern since the colorway won’t be competing for attention.
Molly is earthy, but in a baby sweet softness like an overexposed landscape photograph.
Riley bears the softness of frost on blades of grass by a sparkling blue stream.

Lorna’s Laces has hand-dyed hues that are vibrant and cheerful. My faves?…
Huron has lake hues of green and blue in a calming combination. (Another pic)
Winona is a swirl of pink and yellow with a splash of orange in a youthful brightness.

Dublin Dye Company has sweet sorbet hues. My favorite of theirs is…
Periwinkle like the crayon I loved most growing up.

Gaia’s Colours is sadly closing down this Spring, but March will be the last hurrah with a massive sale of all the yarn in inventory. My favorite of Gaia’s colors…
Eos carries the dawn’s first light and warm hues. It reminds me of a Maxfield Parish painting.
Banba with its silvery sage hue is soothing yet with a gentle nudge to the soul.
I have it in Hsi Ling Shih Silk Singles in a happy aqua blue, here’s a photo: