Hi everyone!
When Becky and I were brainstorming the mission and purpose of Nomadic Knits, the main theme kept coming back to local. Local in the sense of the artists living and working in the region we’re exploring, as well as local in the sense of small businesses. Who are the people behind the scenes, the ones who are the backbone of the fiber festivals, the ones encouraging new knitters and new designers. We set out to find these artists so we can share them with you, and with anyone we meet. I hope that you’ll take a few minutes to get to know these indie yarn dyers, explore their colorways, and plan your next cast-on.
While Nomadic Knits is indie dyer-centric, we know that not everyone can afford this luxury, and we want all knitters and fiber enthusiasts to feel welcome in our community. As always, all of our patterns include fiber content and yardage so you can substitute with your stash or with less expensive big box yarns. When in doubt of a substitution, a quick swatch can make sure you’re on the right track.
Michigan knitters are especially lucky; they live in a state full of local talent! Every indie yarn dyer that we found in Michigan was so excited to collaborate, and it was wonderful to work with each of them. We had been hoping to meet some of these amazing women in person this summer to share a few cocktails, but 2020 happened… The fiber festivals in Michigan must be incredible with all this yarn goodness, and we look forward to attending one day.
We know, as knitters, that sometimes it can be challenging to picture how a particular skein of yarn or colorway combination will look knit into a particular design, so we thought we’d share some before and after pictures. You can click on each yarn photo to go to the dyer’s website, and on each design photo to go to its Ravelry pattern page.
In alphabetical order:
Adelaide Fiber Co. Victoria Fingering in Pebble:
AJHC Wools Yak Silk DK in Natural and NYX:
Aquarius Make Fingering in Speckled Wish:
Briar Rose Fibers Sonoma in #1804:
Driftwood Dyeworks DK in Cabin:
Graphic Dyeworks Widow Singles in Dioptase:
Hawari Bazaar Yarn Nova in Whitby:
Hawari Bazaar Yarn Scarab in Superior:
Knitterly Things Semi Vesper Sock in Blitz Blue:
Mint Rain Soft Sock in Grey Skies:
Roberta Rae Fibers MCN Sock in Steel Fog:
The Plucky Knitter Hazel Worsted in Tea & Sympathy and Keepsake; Halo Worsted in Antiqued:
The Plucky Knitter Plucky Feet in Boots & Faded Jeans:
This Craft or That Comfy DK in Meadow:
Twisted Fiber Art Yummy in Dusk Evolutions:
UP North Yarns DK Superwash Merino and Silk in Grand Sable Dunes:
Why Knot Fibers Spunky in Moss, Shoreline, and Pewter; and Ripple, Pewter, and Shoreline:
The Yarn and Us 80/20 in Greenware:
To the incredible dyers of Michigan: We are so grateful to each of you for your generosity and enthusiasm in pulling this issue together! When Becky and I are finally able to get there, we’re taking you out for cocktails!
xo
Melissa
PS: Be sure to check out our latest issue, Michigan, and sign up for a knitting magazine subscription or pick out a beautiful pom pom for your next hat!
10 Comments. Leave new
I want all these yarns!!! Gosh, they are so gorgeous.
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Excellent playlist! And Michigan content!
Thanks so much!
Thank you, Melissa and Becky, for everything. I’m grateful we were able to meet in Florida. I look forward to getting together, after Covid, anytime or any place!
We can’t wait to see all our fiber friends again!❤️ Our meeting was certainly a fortuitous one – we’re happy the stars aligned!
Yassssss!
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Your Michigan arrived today, a Holiday! I’d love to know where these places are. Would you, in the future, identify each photo, please?
So happy it’s in your hands! That’s a great suggestion. We’ve been talking about the best way to identify locations without mucking up the photos and I think we’ve finally found a solution. Be on the lookout for it in issue eight : washington.