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The Ravelution family recently took a trip to 1866 Upper Canada. Ok, not literally, but we did visit Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Ontario, the living historical museum depicting pioneer life in 1866 Upper Canada. I must have visited this magical place a ton of times since I was a kid, but this was my first time going back since I started dyeing yarn and delving into all things fibre. This visit felt extra special and it was like walking back in time with a fresh pair of eyes and whole new appreciation for all things handmade. If you're a fibre history buff like me, read on to learn about fibre in the 1860's, and some fibre friends we met along the way. Upper Canada Village was founded in 1961 and is one of the largest living-history sites in Canada. It's located on the St Lawrence Seaway, and features over forty historical buildings. Many of these structures were moved there prior to flooding during the St Lawrence Seaway development project, and included functioning mills, homes, and trade shops. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through all them, and learning from the "settlers" who work there. I witnessed so many fibre crafts, such as weaving, spinning, needle point, quilting, and rug hooking, just to name a few. I likely saw all of these things years ago, I just wasn't attuned to them like I am now. The first building we entered was Mr. Asselstine's Woollen Factory, a fully operational woollen mill of that time. Evidence from the 1800's suggests that the Asselstine family was involved in the manufacture of woollen material from the first quarter of the 19th century. At the time, The Asselstine Factory, was run as a family business and employed up to 12 men and women. It produced yarn, batts for quilt filling, blankets, tweeds, flannels, wool sheeting and stripe carpeting. Today, the woollen mill is used as a functional exhibit for the production of blankets and textile goods, which can be purchased at the Village Store. Making woollen cloth is an age-old tradition, but it wasn't until the middle of the 19th century that mechanization was applied on any grand scale. By the 1840's, woollen mills and factories made their appearance in Upper Canada, thereby offering settler's wives some relief from the tedious tasks of cleaning the fleece, carding the wool, and fulling the woollen cloth by hand. These water-powered mills were also able to spin, weave, and fold cloth. Historically, woollen mills employed both men and women, with unequal pay of course. Women were however generally favoured for this industry because it enabled mill owners to reduce the cost of labour. Likewise, the drive to reduce labour costs incentivized the implementation of machinery (the powered looms, carding machines, spinning machines, etc.) which were modelled after the mechanization already in use in the United States at that time. Unfortunately for us, the mill was having technical issues that day, so we didn't get to see it in production mode. However, it was still interesting to watch workers troubleshoot the large conveyer belts and turbines, and see the giant historic textile machines up close. After the woollen mill, we walked around this quaint village for hours, visiting the school house, the tavern, the flour mill, the cheese factory, the tinsmith, the blacksmith, the chair maker, the broom maker, and so many more. We learnt how so many essential household items were made, and we even got to milk a cow! The staff was so welcoming and knowledgeable, all were eager to share their craft and engage in conversation. We had many chats with many talented makers, but a couple in particular stand out. A special thank you to Shirley, who I met in the McDiarmid home. She informed me that in the early 19th century, farmers might have grown a little flax and kept a few sheep to provide for their clothing and other household needs, such as blankets and sacks. The settlers had to be self-sufficient for their clothing needs, and every house had a spinning wheel and hand loom. Sheep were kept for the production of wool and were sheared in the spring, when they no longer needed their heavy coats. Farmers also grew flax to make linen, and both wool and linen were spun on the spinning wheel. Early wheels were quite large, and very simple. The spinner had to walk back and forth as she worked, and the wheel had to be turned by hand. Later models had foot treadles, which were easier to operate, and made the production of wool easier and more efficient. In real life, it turns out Shirley used to own and run her own sheep farm in Sarsfield, Ontario, as well as a hand dyed yarn business! We spoke a while about her adventures in fibre and it was truly inspirational. I also want to give a shout out to Lianne van Leyen, the historic cook who works in the farmhouse on Loucks Farm. What an impressive fountain of historical information! We spoke about cheese making, canning, vinegars, syrups, and drying and preparing herbs. She even shared an old recipe for pickled eggs which I plan on trying out soon. As it turns out, Lianne is also an artist, cross stitcher, antique cross stitch sampler collector and reproductionist, and owner the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers. She runs her needle art business from her one room 1897 school house home, where she reproduces antique needlework and creates patterns for the modern stitcher. Lianne's historic designs are gorgeous and aim to increase interest in historical textiles and needle arts within and outside the stitching community. You can check her and her story out here or @1897schoolhousesamplers on Instagram. In a nutshell, 1866 was beyond amazing, and turns out, fibre friends are everywhere, even in the past! We had such a great day that we are planning on going back very soon, likely in the fall for the Harvest Market. I'd also like to see the woollen mill in full force and watch those mechanical carders in motion. Until then, I'm going to try my hand at those pickled eggs and spinning some carded wool I purchased from the Village gift shop. If you've never been to Upper Canada Village, or it's been a while since your last visit, I highly recommend going again soon. The whole family, kids to grandparents, are guaranteed to be enchanted by a simpler way of life. For more information, you can visit https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/ or @uppercanadavill on Instagram.

This post is a continuation of last week's - 6 Essential Knitting & Crochet Tools. Read on to discover more essential tools that will make your next project a breeze! Ok, I can't promise you that, but I can promise that all of these items help a lot and are not just frivolous gadgets you'll never use. Without further ado, read on to discover some new-to-you must haves and click on the links and pictures to support some small businesses too! Embroidery Needles: These needles are a must! They come in rage of sizes and are necessary for weaving in ends, among other things. You can find them made of plastic or metal, straight or curved. I usually use the straight metal variety, but the curved needles are great for guiding into awkward areas. You can find them on Amazon and Michael's, but you can certainly find them at your local yarn store (LYS) too! Cable Hooks: If cables are your thing, then you know how useful these are. Cable needles are also very handy to hold a fallen stitch when you're on the go! You can find these on Amazon or Michael's, but I'm always an advocate for supporting small businesses, so check your LYS! Stitch Holders: Stitch holders come in several sizes and are used to secure stitches that aren't ready to be worked. These aren't essential per say, but I much prefer using them to hold stitches in transit than a scrap piece of yarn. Again, these holders are available on Amazon and Michaels but, same as above, check your LYS first. Blocking Pins and Sock Blockers: I could do a whole post on just blocking...actually I just might soon! Blocking is an essential process if you want showcase your garment at its best because it makes the yarn bloom (plump up) and the stitches smooth out to create a more uniform appearance. When shopping for these items, try checking your LYS, but you can also find some beautiful artisanal sock blockers on line, like this one by 4Moustiques from Saint-Césaire, Quebec, Canada. Needle Stoppers: I used to think needle stoppers were a little frivolous...but it turns out I just didn't know any better. These accessories aren't just cute, they are essential to making sure all your stitches stay on the needles so you don't come back to a mess of dropped stitches. You can find stoppers all over the place, but I personally love these whimsical characters by Fox and Pine Stitches that I found at Wool Tyme online. Notion Tin: Ok, so maybe this one isn't essential but it has become for me. These metal notion tins by Firefly Notes that I discovered at my local yarn store (LYS) Wabi-Sabi are just so cute and über functional. These slider tins are hand crafted in small batches in BC with a deluxe non toxic hand-poured resin, and because it comes with a magnet you can stick at the bottom of the tin, all your metal notions stay in place so you can easily find what you're looking for. I use mine all the time and I highly recommend! Project Bag: Project bags are fun because, not only are they functional, they are a great way to show your individuality. Personally, I love the bags by Dolphina Collective and I bring mine where ever I go. These high quality hand made bags are designed by shop owner and sewist Sophie Deschamps in Kingston, Ontario, and come in a wide variety of sizes and patterns. Check her out @dolphincacollective on Instagram, you're guaranteed to find something that inspires you! Bonus: Ball Winder and Yarn Swift: These last two items are just a must if you're an avid indie yarn collector and user. Do yourself a favour, don't attempt to wind your skeins by hand. Get a ball winder and Yarn Swift and save yourself the headache! I have a manual one but if you're winding yarn like it's your day job, you can also find some mechanical ones like The Caker by Romarin, a tool manufacturing company for yarn professionals and enthusiasts based in Montreal. So, what's your favourite fibre gadget?! Comment below!

Wether you're a newbie stitcher or a seasoned pro, you're nothing without your tools. Besides the obvious knitting needles and crochet hooks, there are some fibre gadgets we feel are necessary to have on hand, and it doesn't hurt if they look cute too! Here are 6 essential knitting and crochet tools we could not live without. Embroidery Scissors: When it comes to scissors, you can get fancy like these from Lemon Tree Supplies (Richmond, Ontario), or keep it simple with these by Loops & Threads from Micheals. Either way, make sure they are sharp and in your notion pouch at all times. Stitch Markers: Stitch Markers or Progress Keepers are a must! They help you keep track of key areas in your work and are basically jewellery for yarn. Check out our selection here! Tape Measure: Not every project requires a tape measure but if you're working on a sweater, a sock, or a hat, you may want to have one at the ready to avoid any mishaps. I just purchased this retractable tape measure from MadeByKendraK (from St Albert, Alberta)! Isn't it adorable?! Gauge Ruler: Full disclosure, I don't always do a gauge swatch, but when I do (à la Dos Equis man) I want to use one of these from Boutique Twistitch! Each beautiful ruler is hand made with love in Montréal and adorned with whimsical illustrations by artist Nooby Lemona (Instagram here). Row Counter: A row counter is a tool I use almost daily. You can always count by drawing a line on a piece of paper like I use to do, but I don't recommend it. After loosing too many of those papers, I purchased this one from Michael's for 13.99$ a very long time ago. I really like it, but now I have my sights on something a little prettier, like this one from Twill and Print, from Montreal, Quebec. Notion Pouch: This one is a bit of an obvious one but you're going to need a pouch to put all your favourite tools in, and why not choose one that reflects your personality. Pick one of these cuties and tote your tools in style. Our pouches are made slightly larger than most notion bags, so you can store a few of those bigger items. This list was originally much longer, but for the sake of digestibility, I split it up into two posts, so tay tuned for part II next week. How about you, what is your favourite gizmo you can't do without? Please share below!

Summer is finally here and if you're like me, you're busy going here, there, and everywhere! This is your friendly reminder however, that despite the speed of the season, there are still plenty of opportunities to get some stitches in. Here are 10 road trip friendly cast-ons (5 crochet patterns and 5 knit patterns) to keep you stitching even on the go! Crochet: Sock - Fireside Socks by ACCROchet - 8$ via Ravelry Tuque - Rocky Shore Hat by Emma Zobel - 1.50$ via Ravelry Cowl - Island Cowl by Rich Textures Crochet - 3.50$ via Ravelry T-shirt - Summer Stream Tee by GraceForthefrills - Free via Ravelry Shawl - Lamia Wrap by Toni Lipsey - 7.50$ via Ravelry Knit: Sock - Hunny Tree Socks by Marie Elyse Dugal - Free via Ravelry Shawl - I Shawl Build my Fortress by Fran Carle - 8$ via Ravelry Cowl - The Colonel Cowl by Corrina Ferguson - 9.75$ via Ravelry T-Shirt - Salty Air Tee by Samantha Guerin - 11.84$ via Ravelry Tuque - Sockhead Slouch Hat by Bohoknits - Free via Ravelry Have you cast on any of these beauties? Do you have a favourite on-the-go pattern? Tell us below!

Turns out the experts were right, a high fibre diet is good for your health! They just forgot to mention the knitting and crochet part. I want to preface this by saying that I'm not a doctor and this is by no means official health advice, I'm simply providing you with additional reasons to engage in your favourite fibre art...as if you needed more. For the avid knitter or crocheter, it should come as no surprise that these very accessible activities would have a whole host of positive health benefits. There's a reason why wounded soldiers in WWI were told to knit during their convalescence, and that's because they knew even then that it was a therapeutic activity. I'm not sure they had all the scientific evidence then to back it up, but today we know for sure that knitting and crochet can help regulate, alleviate, and stimulate. Here are 23 ways (and counting) how engaging in your favourite fibre art can improve your health! Some of them might just surprise you. Many studies have shown that knitting and crochet can help: 1. reduce blood pressure; 2. slow down the effects of dementia; 3. lessen the symptoms of arthritis; 4. distract from chronic pain; 5. combat depression; 6. reduce anxiety; 7. relieve post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); 8. treat addiction; 9. treat eating disorders; 10. provide meditative benefits and mindfulness; 11. create bonds and community; 12. boost self confidence; 13. induce a sense of usefulness; 14. release dopamine; 15. improve sleep; 16. improve digestion; 17. increase blood flow; 18. induce feelings of relaxation; 19. improve math skills; 20. improve memory; 21. provide the benefits of group therapy; 22. grief processing; and 23. provide a sense of control. All these benefits may have been linked specifically to knitting and crochet, but I don't need an expert to tell me that they can certainly extend to many other fibre practices too, such as weaving, spinning, and felting. Anytime you engage in something that lights you up inside and has you focussing on something positive and constructive, you're bound to reap something positive. How about you? What has your fibre art done for you? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!

I don't know about you but I'm always looking for fun ways to use yarn, especially my leftovers. I can't believe that in a previous post I wrote about 20 Ways to Use Left Over Yarn I totally forgot about French knitting! This seemingly juvenile past time is often a precursor to knitting for many, but don't let this simple fibre craft fool you. What exactly is French knitting anyway, and what the heck can you really make with it? Turns out a lot! Read on to learn about this lost fibre art, including all the fun things you can create with it! French knitting, aka spool knitting, corking, or tomboy knitting, is a fibre craft some of us remember from our childhood. For those who aren't familiar though, this technique basically consists of wrapping the yarn around all the pegs of a French knitting tool (also called a French knitting spool, a knitting Nancy, a knitting dolly, or a tricotin), twice. The lower loop of yarn is then lifted over the upper loop and off the peg, thereby creating stitches. The yarn is then wrapped around the entire loom, creating a new upper yarn on each peg, and the process of wrapping and lifting is repeated until the desired length of "tube" is complete. The end result is very similar to that of a knitted i-cord. For a more comprehensive tutorial, please click here. Today, the term French knitting might conjure up images of cute little wooden painted dolls with metal pegs around their heads. I was surprised to learn however that knitting spools date back to over 400 years and are considered the oldest member of the knitting loom family! The earliest recorded reference to the use of a frame for knitting was in 1535 Strasbourg, in a legal record about the proper guild for sock knitters. If you're a history buff like me, you'll want to click here to read more on this. So, what the heck can we make already (besides horse reigns from the 1800's of course)?! Here is a (dirty) dozen French knitting projects guaranteed to inspire and get you started on your spool knitting journey. Click on the pictures for links, however not all provide tutorials. Have you made anything with French knitting? Please share in the comments below!

This is a post dedicated to a very common question I get asked a lot...What exactly can I make with one skein? Turns out, a lot! Here are 10 free one skein knitting and crochet patterns that caught my eye, and the best part is, they are all free! I have no issues paying for patterns (and trust me, you get what you pay for), but sometimes free is fabulous isn't it?! For my knotty knitters: 1. Spiral Fingerless Mittens by Ruthann Flor from Four Hearts Designs - These beauties are knit with 130 - 140 yards of 100% super wash Merino DK. Here are some DK yarns that are sure to inspire you to cast on! 2. Darkside Cowl by Sarah Fama - I love the stitch detail on this cowl. To knit it up, all you need is one skein of Aran weight Merino, but our heavy worsted would also work very nicely! 3. Wildflower Field Socks by Marie-Elyse Dugal - These socks are near and dear to my heart because I worked with the talented designer on some of the design details of this gorgeous sock pattern. This pattern was also designed with our Wildflowers Sock Set in mind (and you can choose your own mini skein too), but any Merino nylon fingering will do. If you'd like to join our Sock Ravelution Knit-Along for the month of June, you have a chance of winning some yarny prizes when you submit your works in progress (WIPs) or finished objects (FOs). 4. Mustard Scarf by Jane Richmond Designs - I have a soft spot for this colour, although this scarf doesn't need to be knit just in mustard. Work up this lacy accessory with a skein of our generous 200g worsted Merino. 5. Stellar Hat by STASH Lounge - I know summer is just ramping up but the cold weather will be upon us again before we know it. Get a head start and look cute sporting this textured tuque next season! This pattern is knit with bulky wool, and our bulky 100% fine super wash Merino would lend itself perfectly to this project. Check out our selection here! For my happy hookers: 1. Warm Heart Scarf or Cowl by Lynda Rennick of Homelea Lass - I love a piece that pulls double duty, and this scarf is no exception. Wear this cozy crochet as a scarf or a cowl, and hook it up with 55-66 yards of super bulky yarn. Our 76 yard skeins of super bulky merino nylon are super squishy and ideal for this type of project. 2. BPAL Felted Bottle Case by Maid Mirawyn of Mirawyn Crafts - Anyone who is into felting and little pouches will love this quick crochet pattern. The tiny bag requires only 30 yards of super bulky yarn so you can make multiple pouches with one skein, or a great way to use of leftovers! 3. Simple Twisted Earwarmer by Rebecca Langford of Yarn + Chai - Ear warmers are great because they are not only functional but they make a great fashion accessory too. Work this twisted and ribbed design in an array of colours. You can make two with one skein of our 100% DK super wash Merino. Makes a great gift for you or someone you love! 4. Grid Slouch by Ashlea Konecny from Heart Hook Home - Slouchy hats are always popular, and I love this crocheted beanie pattern. Pick your favourite Aran or heavy worsted here and make one for your favourite teen this winter! 5. Lansdowne Basket by Sincerely Pam - My favourite thing about crochet is the ability to make beautiful yet functional house hold items, like this basket by Sincerely Pam. You could honestly make this with any yarn weight from worsted to super bulky and in an array of sizes. Use them as planters, decorative centrepieces, or a catch all for keys and such!

Hand dyed yarns are special and should be treated as such. We can be tempted to hoard them or save them for a rainy day, but I say use them and use them now! Seeing as I've convinced you to dig up those squishy colourful skeins, or maybe even go out and get some more, here are 5 ways to use that gorgeous yarn like a pro: 1. More is better! This might seem obvious or trivial, but trust me, it bears repeating. When purchasing hand dyed yarn, you want to make sure you're buying enough, especially if you have a special project in mind. If it's too late, and you've done what many of us do, which is to purchase stunning hand dyed skeins simply because the yarn gods made you do it, just check the yardage you need before casting on, because the last thing you want is to find yourself in a stressful game of yarn chicken and lose just before you finish. If you're lucky, you might be able to get your hands on more, but sometimes you just can't. And even if you can, dye lots can vary widely enough that it can create unwanted colour variations throughout your project. 2. Rub-a-dub-dub Indie yarn dyers try very hard to rinse out leftover dye from the fibre but sometimes we can't catch it all. Just to be on the safe side, it's highly recommended you wash your skeins in a tub of lukewarm water with a mild wool-friendly detergent, and rinse the yarn out a few times to make sure the soap is gone and that the water runs completely clear (free of dye). Hang the yarn to dry either inside or outside, but please, whatever you do, DO NOT put them in the dryer (unless you want a felted, tangled mess). 3. Make a Cake! Now that you've washed and dried your yarn to ensure your final project won't bleed dye when you block it, (because we all block, right?...), you're going to want to take them from hank to cake. Sounds delicious, doesn't it?! If you're new to hand dyed yarn, you've probably noticed that hand dyed fibre doesn't usually come in balls like at the craft store, and you might not realize that it has to be wound up into balls or "cakes" (as they are so affectionately called) before you can use them. I've heard horror stories of newbies trying to knit straight from the hank and trust me, it didn't end well for anyone. There are a few ways to wind your yarn, and they don't all require fancy-dancy equipment, (although who doesn't love a yarn gadget?!). If you choose to do this by hand, I recommend using the back of a chair, a few cans of peas, or someone's arms to keep the hank taut while you wind. If you're an avid user of hand dyed yarn, you likely have the fancy-dancy gadget I was referring to earlier, and I have to say, I highly endorse it. A ball winder and yarn swift can be your best friend in this endeavour, especially if you are winding multiple hanks at a time for a bigger project. 4. Just Swatch it! The dreaded S word. Many of us hate doing it and often decide to skip this step entirely. If you do chose to live on the wild side and not do a gauge swatch, you might find yourself wasting several knitting/crocheting hours just to end up with a smaller or larger garment than expected. The pattern you chose should mention gauge at the top, and I implore you to take the 15-30 minutes it takes to work up that square to save yourself hours of frogging (rip it, rip it) later. Swatching is not just for sizing though, it's also useful when working with hand dyed yarn because it can give you a good idea of how your chosen colour way will work up and if it's prone to pooling (aka blobs of colour). 5. Alternate skeins: Alright, you've got your yarn cakes, your trusty gauge swatch, and you've read your entire pattern from start to finish (right?!). Before you get started though, there's one last tip you need to know, and it's perhaps the most important one of all. When working with hand dyed yarn, it's highly advised to alternate skeins every other row to avoid pooling or unwanted variations in colour. For example, if you're making a sweater that requires several skeins of The Cowboy in Me, you might want to knit/crochet a few rows, switch cakes for few more rows, then switch back, and so on and so forth. Alternating the yarn this way will ensure that, even with significant colour variations between skeins, it won’t be obvious where one ends and the next begins. Furthermore, if you're working with a mottled colour way (one that has unpredictable blotches of colour throughout and a higher tendency to pool), you might be disappointed with the results if that wasn't the look you were going for. However, it's not always necessary to alternate your skeins if pooling is the desired effect. Personally, pooling can be quite beautiful and I'm a fan of sometimes just seeing what the yarn does naturally. In my unsolicited opinion, it's all part of the fun of working with hand dyed yarn.

When I first got into hand dyed yarn years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into. I have to say though, it's been a colourful and fantastical obsession since day one. However, I had no idea there was so much to learn, and I'm not going to lie, I'm still learning! You don't have to go down a rabbit hole of everything fibre though, like I tend to do, to hold your own in a yarn conversation. All you need to know are a few key terms, and luckily for you, I've compiled a list below! Here are 9 types of hand dyed yarn, but this is by no means set in stone. Please feel free to add in the comments below, and don't forget to heart and rate this post. We love to hear from you!! 9 Types of Hand Dyed Yarn Semi-solids - This is the solid of the indie dyer. Only a true solid with no variation in colour can be created by a commercial dyer. An indie dyer can try his or her best to dye a flawless solid but there might still be some variation in colour. Therefore, we can only refer to indie dyed solids as semi solids, (just in case). Tonals - Tonal yarns simply incorporate lighter and darker versions of the same colour. In other words, it is lightened or darkened with shades of black or grey and doesn’t have any other hues like blues or yellows added to it. The result is lighter and darker sections of the exact same colour when it's worked up. Variegated - A variegated yarn is one that has three or more colours that are usually repeated in the same order. This can cause a pooling or striping effect, but it's not considered a legit self stripping yarn. Ombre yarn/long stripping effect - This yarn is dyed in very long colour runs, so your project has a gradual fade/blend from one colour to the next. Kettle dyed - A kettle dyed yarn is not just yarn dyed in a pot, although by definition this is accurate. This term also refers to yarn dyed with multiple different dyes added to the pot at the same time and leaving the yarn to absorbe it, resulting in a soft blend of multiple colours. These skeins can be very hard to replicate. Mottled - To create this effect, a liquid dye solution is applied randomly to the yarn using drippers, spray bottles, or by pouring the dye directly onto the fibre. You can view many videos of this type of yarn being dyed on our Instagram page @ravelutionyarn. Hand painted - A skein can be considered hand painted when the dye is applied literally by hand in a very controlled manner. This can be done by using a sponge brush or something of the like, but every dyer has their preferred method. Speckled - A speckled yarn is yarn that has little or many areas of coloured dots (or specs) of dye throughout the skein. This technique is achieved by applying dry dye powder (sometimes mixed with citric acid for added sharpness) either by hand, with a salt shaker, a mini colander, or a spoon. Again, every dyer has their preferred method. Self stripping: A genuine self stripping yarn is one that has consistant and predictable repeats throughout. This yarn is special and time consuming! There are indie dyers who only specialize in this type of dyeing. Art yarn - I wanted to mention art yarn because, even if it's not always hand dyed, it is hand spun and hand made. Generally, art yarn is spun to include lots of texture and colour, and may also have unusual structure. It can combine many different fibres, some being hand dyed, and even include beads, charms or bells. So that's it, your quick and dirty glimpse of different types of hand dyed yarn that you might encounter at your local fibre festival, favourite yarn store (LYS), or on your most cherished indie dyer's website (ahem). Stay tuned for a deeper dive into each type (including what to expect when casting) at a later date. Thanks so much for reading!

Is it just me or are more and more people seeking out indie dyed yarn lately? I'm so thrilled to see a growing community of fibre artists embracing indie dyed yarn and supporting their favourite indie dyers. But for those who haven't yet been bitten by the indie fibre bug, this post is for you! Indie dyed yarn; what it is, and what it's not. First of all, what exactly is an indie dyer anyway? The simple answer is an independent (indie) person who dyes (dyer) fibre on a relatively small scale (small batches) in comparison to a commercial mill that supplies larger quantities to yarn stores. Many indie dyers provide wholesale quantities to shops, but not all indie dyers can afford to pay the commission it costs to sell yarn this way, especially if they are just starting out. Typically, indie dyers operate out of their own kitchens, garages, or basements (like me!), and take the time to produce unique, unique pieces of art for the pure enjoyment of working with something so luxurious and beautiful. For the indie dyer, it's not just about functionality, it's about creating an experience for the maker. Besides volume differences, an indie dyer has a completely different dyeing process than commercial dyers. Indie dyed yarn, otherwise known as hand dyed yarn, is just that, yarn dyed manually or by hand. The process is very tactile and personal. In contrast, commercial mills tend to dye with machines, in large vats, and in too large quantities to dye with natural pigments. Both indie dyers and commercial dyers can use commercially available dyes such as acid dyes, but only indie dyers can produce naturally dyed fibre since this process is much more time consuming, not to mention more labour and water intensive. Lastly, indie dyers can achieve very distinctive results compared to mill dyed fibre. Besides being able to achieve beautifully natural dyed yarn, indie dyed fibre dyed with commercial dyes can yield very unique and vibrant colour ways that can vary wildly from batch to batch, (or dye lot to dye lot). Unlike its commercial counterpart, the indie dyed results are truly masterpieces of artistic self expression. I read somewhere that hand dye yarn is like haute cuisine and commercially dyed fibre is its fast food equivalent. Sometimes you're craving a burger and fries (and I mean, who doesn't?!), but you don't soon forget the magnificent splendour of a three Micheline Star meal. So the next time you're shopping for yarn and wonder why the hand dyed options are so expensive, just remember that fillet mignon does't cost (or taste) the same as ground beef, but there's a time and place for both. Glossary Indie dyer - A person who dyes independently from a commercially business. Indie dyed yarn/hand dyed yarn - Yarn dyed by an indie dyer. Small batch dyer - A dyer that dyes small quantities of fibre, many may unreproducible. Commercial dyed yarn/mill dyed yarn - Factory dyed yarn, usually in large amounts and with the use of machines. Acid dyes/commercial dyes - Colourfast dye that is typically used to dye wool and other animal fibres. Colourfast - Dyes that will not fade or wash out. Naturally dyed - Dye stuff that typically derives from nature, such as plants and insects, and tends not to be as colourfast as acid dye. Dye lot/batch - A grouping of yarn that was dyed in or with the same dye solution. Wholesale - A large quantity of items being retailed by others who take a % of the sale.

What's in a name? Naming a business is hard. It's kind of like choosing a name for your unborn baby. You don't know what it's going to look like as it grows and develops, the list of names is usually long, and sometimes none of them seem to fit. As a general rule though, experts say to pick a name that is short, simple, as well as easy to write and remember. Well, I apparently didn't get the memo. When I chose Ravelution Yarn, pronounced RAVEL-ution, I didn't realize it could be difficult to pronounce. I get a lot of RAVE-lution or Rave-elle-ution, sometimes I just get "how do you pronounce that?" I made the mistake of assuming that an obvious play on the words revolution and ravel would also be obvious to everyone else. Well, what's done is done, and here I am writing my first Ravelution Yarn blog post to shed some light (and pronunciation) on how our name came to be. I chose the name Ravelution, (which is not even a real word so it gets underlined in red like a nasty type-o every time I write it), because I thought it was a clever way of combining the word revolution and ravel. To me, Ravelution means "ravelling" something different to "revolutionize" the fibre community, hence the meaning behind our logo. At a closer glance, you will find a crochet hook in the "R", a knitting needle in the axis of the globe, and a ball of yarn being ravelled (or unravelled) around the world. The colours chosen for the ball of yarn ravelling from the word Ravelution and around the globe also have meaning - green symbolizes freshness and vitality; purple represents luxury; yellow is for friendship and joy; pink personifies playfulness and innocence; and blue (which is not showing up in these pictures) embodies innovation, imagination, and inspiration. All of these qualities make up what Ravelution Yarn strives for, in a business and in a fibre community, a community we hope you will be a part of. So that's it. Now you know how to say Ravelution and the hidden meaning behind the logo. If you got this far, you're a saint! Seriously though, thank you. I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about us and look forward to the next blog post, which I promise will be fibre related!

Something I get asked a lot is "what can I do with all my left over yarn scraps?" First of all, we shouldn't call them scraps because we usually throw out scraps and Lord knows you pay enough for fibre, especially hand dyed yarn. It would be a shame to just toss it or hide it away never to be remembered, thus (I love that I just used thus) I've compiled a list of whimsical projects that are sure to inspire you. Without further ado, here are 20 Ways to use leftover yarn! As always, we'd love to see what you stitch up so don't forget to share your leftover yarn makes with us on Insta, Facebook, Pinterest, or on our Website forum! Furniture Socks Cat Toys Ear Bud Bag Coasters Tassels - you can also make them to adorn pillows too! Bracelets Planter Sweaters Bookmarks Yarn End Bowls Table Centrepiece X-mas Tree Ornaments Felted Wool Balls Garlands Buntings Wreath (or This One) Gift Wrapping Blankets Decorative Sticks Floral Brooch Pompoms - You can make a Pom Pom Garland , Gift Toppers , and a Wall Hanging and so much more with these cuties!