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
“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
“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 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
“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 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

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
“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
“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 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

“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

Olann

Strand Designs

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
Fabulous, didn’t realize how many of you Irish dyers are out there!
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,
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
So many wonderful people dyeing yarn at the moment! We are very lucky knitters and crocheters.
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…
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.
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!
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!
I think their website is also gone?
Check out This Is Knit and the Constant Knitter in Dublin. Both have a great but different selection of Irish hand dyed yarn.
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
No idea I’m afraid, haven’t come across that name before.