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I don’t custom dye yarn. Nope. Not. At. All.
When someone asks, I say, “Oh, I have a class and can show you how” or “book some studio time, and I’ll help you.” My fear is if I get it wrong, someone will be upset or disappointed, and I don’t want anyone to feel that way.
There are exceptions to the rule. I like to make people happy, so for some, I can recreate colorways on different bases easily enough. But a custom colorway is way too risky.
I broke that rule a few weeks ago. Not only did I break it, but I also didn’t pay attention to what the customer wanted. So I had to guess. This sweet customer didn’t have expectations, and I didn’t want to admit that I forgot what she said. She doesn’t live in this area, so asking her didn’t feel right, but now that I look back, maybe I should have asked her. Huh…
Anyhow, below I’m going to share my journey of dyeing seven skeins of yarn that became seven new colorways. For DK weight lovers out there, we are fully stocked. 😀
The Joys of Not Listening
Let’s start at the beginning with this lovely yarn. I was proud of myself for dyeing this colorway. I was positive I nailed it on the first try until Logan told me I didn’t.
Me: She said black, didn’t she? Black speckles, right?
Logan: No, she didn’t want black at all.
I dyed ten of these. We call it Cookies n’ Cream.
Since ten is a lot for one colorway, I over-dyed five of them with purple.
Lily named this colorway Lupine Lady because it reminded her of her favorite children’s book Miss Rumphius.
So that was a happy accident!
I ran out of DK weight yarn and had to order more. Logan and I brainstormed colors that we were sure the customer liked. (This is when writing it down and paying attention really helps.)
Five skeins in one pan, five in another. I sprinkled the dark blue and green in one pot, then the other pot. Same time, same heat, same yarn – one set turned brownish, the other blue-ish. WHY!?!?!?!
Hope got to name this colorway Cornflower Meadows and Cottage Fields.
BTW – Green was never a color that the customer wanted. (Logan tells me after the fact, there’s also a possibility that I didn’t listen)
I ran out of DK weight yarn again. We only had three skeins left. I emailed the very kind, very understanding customer and explained to her what was happening. She was such a good sport!
I told Logan, I give up! So she tried. We have no idea how she got purple. Same dye as the blue above, but purple. Logan called this colorway Mistakes obviously.
| A new shipment, a new day, fingers crossed. Finally, I got the right color. This was it, I was sending this to the customer! Sure, it was dark, but it’s hand-dyed yarn, everyone understands this, right? I asked my friends, who are also friends with the customer. They were so supportive, yes it’s fine, yes it’s the right color. All of them said this, except for one and I knew she was right. It was too dark for the pattern that the customer wanted it for. So this one got the name Almost. |
After two orders of undyed DK weight yarn and six other colorways, we introduce to you Last Try. It was perfect. Lily said we needed more DK yarn anyhow. Win-win right? Dur….!
Moral of The Story?
I got nothing. I’m tired of dyeing speckled blue yarn in DK weight though I can tell you that much!
I’d do it again. In fact, I have two more special orders to do and I’ve already messed up on one. Oh well. 😀
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