Irish Hand-Dyed Yarns.

Last week Carol discussed why she likes working with hand-dyed yarn and the people behind them. We thought it would be a nice idea to tell you all about the wonderful Irish Dyers that are available. We got to work and popped them all in one post for you. Each Dyer took the time to tell us about their yarn or dyeing style. These are a talented bunch of people and I loved every minute of chatting to them and I hope some of their skeins follow you home or else my stash is going to overflow!

Bear in Sheep’s Clothing

Bear in Sheep’s Clothing

“I am Bernie, a dyer based in Belfast. I source my yarn as local to me as possible (right now that means British wool, spun in England). I use as little plastic in my packaging as I can (be the change!). I draw inspiration from everywhere! From jewellery pieces to Netflix, cartoons to the Irish countryside! Even more than a beautiful skein I love my customers to have a beautiful FO! I specialise in single skein speckle gradients.” – Bernie

 

Comeragh Yarns

Comeragh Yarns

“My colours are mostly inspired by Comeragh mountains ( South – East of Ireland)
where I live. My yarn is dyed in pots, so for that reason, every skein is “unique”. I’m big speckles lover and creating ” messy” look is my favourite. ” -Monika

Dublin Dye Co.

Dublin Dye Company

“Most of my yarns are kettled dyed, with more subtle contrasts in shade. I like short colour changes and playing with colour intensity, working from the bare minimum dye and soft muted colours to dark strong shades and everything in between. Trying new things and having them come out like I expected is always a thrill!”-Yvonne

 

Dye Candy

Dye Candy

“My dyeing style is highly saturated, intense colourways that make for dramatic pieces that are truly unique.  I use semi-solid, variegated, dip dyed and speckled styles in my yarns and my techniques are constantly evolving.” – Lindsay

 

Ellie & Ada

Ellie and Ada

“My name is Laura Hogan and I am the dyer behind Ellie and Ada. My background is Fine Art Print and Textile Print. I always have enjoyed working with colour and combining different colours. I love seeing how one colour affects another colour and the process of transforming yarn into a skein that someone wants to knit up. Each colourway has a unique way of arriving to become a finished skein and finished product. “ -Laura

 

Eve & Apple

Eve & Apple

“I handspin locally sourced fleece, Hampshire Downes, Jacobs and Alpaca. I hand dyed on a large variety of yarn bases, my favourites are Pima Cotton and Wool/Silk blend. I started life as a crocheter so my colourways have soft edges and splashes more than freckles. It’s all about the colour, and the joy in wearing textiles like jewels. So my muted colourways always have that little hidden shouting blast of colour. I love doing a colour consults for projects and working with the client to give them their perfect yarn for the project.
Personally, I’m self-taught and have been working with textiles and dying since I was a teenager. I’m a single parent to 4 kids under 14, and we have a tiny small holding there in Lowertown. I welcome visitors to the studio. “ – Eve

 

Ewemomma

Ewemomma

” For me, hand dyeing yarn is all about creativity and freedom. I’m very much an instinctive and spontaneous dyer, sometimes compelled by a word or a phrase, at other times steered by imagery or circumstance. My yarn has been described by others as ‘magical’ and ‘drop dead loveliness’ so if this magical, drop dead loveliness can make even one non-knitter/crocheter want to take up either of these amazing crafts, then I’ve done my job! ” – Tracey

 

Green Elephant Yarn

Green Elephant Yarn

“I find it so interesting how colour is perceived in so many ways and is different for everyone. I’m really drawn by bright colours, greens and blues; and I can’t resist a traditional rainbow. I find inspiration in everything I see, art, design, patterns of colour and unusual colour combinations, all have the potential to become a Green Elephant Yarn colourway. ” – Fiona

 

Hedgehog Fibers

Hedgehog Fibers

“As soon as I got sucked into the knitting world I knew I wanted to create my own line of hand-dyed, soft, squishy yarns. I was always very visual and colour obsessive and I felt that none of the yarns on the market really offered what I was into at the time. I love creating new colours, changing things up and staying current. I think Hedgehog Fibres really reflects that as an extension of my personal style. I love coming up with new colours, techniques and applications. I’m always thinking of the next thing, trying new ways of laying the dye on yarn, new colour combos. It’s always about colours. I love colours and the brand progresses as my preferences shift and evolve.” -Beata

 

Irish Fairytale Yarns

Irish Fairytale Yarns

“Irish Fairytale Yarns was created in May 2014 by Gabriella & Carlo. We started dyeing yarn because we never found those colors we wanted or they were very expensive. The first results have been great and friends asked to buy them, so we started to grow. The colors and names are related to myths and fairy tales, to great colorways out of nature, flowers, beach or fishes. Every skein is dyed with love and it is important for us to create high quality out of non-toxic colours and mulesing free wool for a fair price.” – Carlo

 

LITLG

Life in the Long Grass 

“We are an art studio based in the countryside in Co.Cork.  Our colour work is inspired by the broad landscape or the abstract detail found on a stone or shell which we represent by hand-painting yarn.  We use yarn from small farms from South America where they practice ethical farming and are of high quality.  We try different techniques to represent what we find in nature which leads to speckled colourways, variegated colourways and some semi-solids.  We run a yarn club 4 times a year with the season dictating what colour schemes we create.” – Caroline

 

Moon and Sixpence

Moon and Sixpence

“It all started with my love of knitting, colour and yarn, and the need for a particular colourway that I couldn’t source – and so I dyed my own, the magic happened and I was hooked (excuse the pun).
I live on the very edge of the stunning Mizen Peninsula in West Cork, next to the peaceful Dunmanus Castle and bay.
My inspiration is all around me – from the sea and mountains visible from my window to the beautiful wild flowers in the hedgerows.
I never tire of creating and the magic continues …..” – Annie
Olann

Olann

“Olann was born out of a desire to create a range of sophisticated colours on ethically sourced yarns. The process of producing quality hand dyed yarns was never rushed, but rather slowly developed to be highly desirable, inspiring and harmonious. We believe in doing things the right way. Our story began with a yearning to create with our hands, using experimental dye techniques and traditional materials, to return to a more sustainable time when quality and craftsmanship were valued over the mass produced. Slowly experiencing the simple pleasures in life which ultimately fuels the big ideas behind Olann. Here at Olann we like to get out and explore the Irish countryside, cities, mountains, valleys, forests and the sea to feel the inspiration for our colours emerge from our surroundings.” -Jess

 

Strand Designs

Strand Designs

“I started dyeing yarn about 3 years ago, purely out of curiosity. I wanted to learn all the techniques required to produce unique colourways which can be turned into beautiful garments. I love experimenting and seeing what happens to the colours using different methods. I prefer to dye small batches of colourways although I do have a few popular colourways which I will repeat. Some of my favourite colourways have been the result of things ‘going wrong’. At the moment I am loving Speckles and Stripes. I have attached a photo of my ‘Pretty Little Disaster’ colourway. It’s one of my speckles and stripes colourways. I love how each skein is unique and works up slightly different each time.” -Karena
STwist Yarns

S Twist Wool

“Most of the inspiration and ideas for my dyeing come from the countryside around where I grew up. Living at the foot of Slievenamon mountain, the colours would change over the year as if she was changing her clothes. The underlying greys and browns would stay constant. Every few years, they would burn off the old heather and bushes. A mountain burning at night is something to see. It was this play of colour on a stone and turf canvas that inspired my Grey Overdyes range.” -Diarmuid

The Fibre Kitchen

“I love that hand-dyeing yarn is an artistic process that results in something of use to people. I love when an idea goes from my head to my pot, to my hands – that it is now out in the world, for myself and for others to use.The dyer, the pattern designer, the knitter, the crocheter, we all share in the creation of the end piece, together.  Hand-dyeing started out as something to do for me, and became a way to meet and engage with a fabulous community of people all over the world!” -Rachel

 

Townhouse Yarns 

“I would say I have a holistic style of dyeing. Of course, I embrace shades that I enjoy knitting with myself but then I also enjoy the first-hand feedback I get from customers in This is Knit. This definitely influences the development of my colourways. So my style is constantly evolving and taking into account the finished projects I see and the skeins that get the most attention when they hit the shelves in the shop.
I don’t stick to any single method but dye a full range of variegated, speckled and semi solids, often in coordinating shades.” -Jenny
Have you worked with any of the above or is there a dyer missing from the list above that you love? It really is hard to pick a favourite, isn’t it?

 

12 thoughts on “Irish Hand-Dyed Yarns.

  1. It’s great that there’s such variety out there now. There’s also Terri from A Fine Fish Yarns who creates lovely shades, and Jennifer Lienhard from Woolfinch Studio is doing great things with natural dyes,

  2. I did email both Terri and Jennifer but I think both are taking some holiday time. When they are back I can add them to the list, unfortunately, I didn’t feel it was right to post their yarns or business logos without permission. Don’t worry I can update as replies come in! I love both those ladies :)
    Nadia

  3. So many wonderful people dyeing yarn at the moment! We are very lucky knitters and crocheters.

  4. What an incredible list! And such a wonderful showcase of the talent that is popping up all over this little island of ours :) Thanks for compiling and sharing it with us all…

  5. Thanks for the great tour of such beautiful and highly personalized creations. Fabulous to know there are so many independent dyers in Ireland. I want to touch them all!

    Best to Carol and her family.

  6. I’d definitely add in Coolree, though they’re taking a break at the moment. The colours are gorgeous and the yarn is the softest I’ve ever used. Pure luxury!

  7. Hi. Will be traveling to Ireland late August. Where can I purchase any of these beautiful yarns? I’ll be in Dublin, Galway, County Kerry and County Waterford. Thank you!

  8. Check out This Is Knit and the Constant Knitter in Dublin. Both have a great but different selection of Irish hand dyed yarn.

  9. I love all your fabulous dyed yarns. The colours and inspirations are fabulous.
    I wonder if you could help please. My Mum has an old pattern that requires Pingouin Impressions yarn. Does this yarn still exist or is there an equivalent yarn she could use.
    Many thanks

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