As someone who really is Mad for Yarn, I am constantly on the lookout for new yarn, especially new hand-dyers who really do color well. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to introduce a brand new indie dyer to you – KittyBeaKnitting.
This indie dyer was very easy to find because I work with her at A Good Yarn. KittyBeaKnitting is owned by Catherine Buchmueller. Catherine has been knitting for several years and recently decided to try her hand at yarn dying. As a graduate in Interior Design from Ringling College of Art and Design, Catherine has studied color extensively and understands how colors play together. She also understands the important role color plays in design, and she brings all of that knowledge to dying yarn.
I got a chance to play with a couple of her bases for the Mystery Knit Along we are doing at the store. I chose Egmont in her Moody Blue colorway and Siesta in her Logo 1 colorway. Egmont is a superwash merino single ply very similar to MadelineTosh Merino Light. The color is a gorgeous deep blue with tones slightly lighter. It’s very smooth and easy to work with and has great stitch definition. You can see that knitting really brings to life the beautiful tones of this yarn.
Siesta is an 80/10/10 blend of Merino, Cashmere and Nylon. It is springy and soft with a great twist. It doesn’t split at all. The colors are gorgeous on it and it’s a real delight to knit with.
I gave both of these colorways a good soaking and was pleased to see that neither of them bled into the water at all. I was very curious whether Moody Blue would since it’s such a saturated color, but not a hint of blue showed in the water.
Catherine is learning the dye trade quickly and is providing a variety of bases in gorgeous color ways. I definitely have several other skeins I can’t wait to get my hands on. Check these out!
Anna Maria, a cashmere/mulberry silk lace yarn in the Siam Orchid colorway:
Casey, a superwash merino 2-ply fingering in the Drum Circle color way:
I can’t make up my mind between these two! Sanibel, a 70/30 blend of Superwash Merino and Silk in Fruitville (left) or Opal (right). Which would you choose??
If you’re as Mad for Yarn as I am, run, don’t walk, to Catherine’s store and check out her beautiful line of yarn. Read her story to learn about how she got started and the names of her yarn, and join me in indulging in a skein or 3!
Hey Jan.. neat site.. I am trying to decide what yarn to use for the KAL Stephen west and saw this in the AGY site.. is this yarn like sock yarn.. or is sock yarn too thin to do this project..
susan Mitloff
Hey Sue!
Yes, it is a sock weight, but the hedgehog he’s using is a light sport, so almost sock/fingering, and I believe he said somewhere that fingering will work as well. We put several kits together in the store for this, but there is so much more to choose from. Come on in and we’ll hook you up.
Is your vegan yarn heavy enough to make an afghan. Thanks kat
Hi Sherron! I’m afraid I’m not totally familiar with Cat’s entire line at this point. When you have a chance, search on her website for a Contact form. I’m sure she will get back to you quickly. Hope you are doing well!
Jan