I am often asked why I only dye one-of-a-kind (OOAK) colorways versus repeating my popular colors for my yarn to be purchased in bulk or wholesale. Well, I am an artist that created a small business out of my art. This is slightly different than the view of creating a small business of creating art. In other words, I just happen to sell my art when I feel like making it versus making art for my business.
This isn’t to sound snobbish (and I hope it doesn’t!), as I GREATLY admire and respect many talented yarn dyers that have grown and maintained successful businesses on the other end of the yarn-dyeing spectrum. I do not mean that bulk yarn dyers aren’t also artists. Of course they are, brilliant artists! We just do our business differently. I am in awe at their commitment, and I can’t wait to grab their lovely yarns at their updates. These dyers work hard and deserve to be supported! I’m just saying that I am a knitwear designer that loves to dye yarn as an expressive outlet to supplement my designing…and then I sell it.
While there are many perceptions and styles to define an artist, I have a view that art isn’t unique to art lovers. What makes art special is having a piece that others aren’t easily able to obtain, or it’s a OOAK masterpiece (to clarify, I am not referring to my yarn as masterpieces, but other artists’ work). My updates and small batch yarns are meant to be FUN to view and purchase!
My yarn is another creative outlet that provides a different kind of gratification than designing patterns. The gratification I receive when dyeing yarn is instant, and my process is more emotional than my logical approach to designing. I dye with different moods, various processes and spur-of-the-moment inspiration. It fulfills my artistic need when I am rundown on knitting. I dye on a whim, and it brings me so much joy!
So…if I only do OOAK colorways, how can I advertise them and share samples? Well, I just don’t. I do dye sweater quantity of each colorway on each base for those wanting large projects with my yarn. However, colors sell quickly (as that’s the point), and sometimes the large sweater quantity that I dye quickly dwindles down to a lonely 1 or 2 skeins that linger for months in my shop. That’s okay! There will always be more yarn, in different but sometimes similar colors. Some of my loyal friends that shop my yarn often know to grab it up right away! (A huge thank you to all that support me and buy my yarn; it is necessary to share how much it means to me before I continue on).
Do I take custom orders? Yes! However, I warn right away that my interpretation may not identically match what is expected. I try to do my best with colors and expectations, BUT I still dye with my intent and perception of what is requested.
Above I mentioned that dyeing yarn is a different artistic outlet than the designing of my patterns. Absolutely! Both are authentically representations of my intentional inspirations, but I dye with my inner magic and intuition. My colorway inspirations are anything that has given me a feeling or a longing. They’re often on the spot, and it is freeing to dye this way. That is the purpose of art, correct? Regardless of the colors I create, they’re dyed with love and passion. I put a big of that “magic” into my whimsical yarns, and I hope those that receive it will feel it.
Where can my yarn be purchased? I sell online and in store. Online, I start with a “first dibs” sneak peak on my Instagram stories. I tease my new colorways for a few days, letting my audience know they are for sale during this time. Many will direct message me, and we make a transaction. What doesn’t sell through my sneak peek is listed in my online shop.
Edit (10/17/23): Since writing this, it has been over a year since I have last dyed! Life has changed a bit for me since I’ve been able to devote time to this…but I am feeling that longing and happen to have some bare bases in my stock! Maybe a small holiday collection will be on the horizon.
Thank you all for the support and allowing me to share my explanation. I very much worry that my tone could be misperceived, and I suppose that is a risk with any personal publication. I mean no offense to anyone, ever! I often write these posts as a way to have a resource for common questions.
Lovely by Lee 