Indie Dyer Feature: Crochet the Winter Hunter Yarns

I am so excited to introduce a new Saturday feature for the month of March: Interviews with Indie Dyers!! These are folks whose colorways I admire; small business owners who need our support; and some pretty cool people to boot. We’re going to start things off with Amanda Hunter of Crochet the Winter / Hunter Yarns. I met Amanda through a small Facebook group and I have been ogling her skeins for many months now. Her colorways run the gamut from saturated jewel tones, to pretty grays–and some with a little sparkle. She will also dye up a custom order just for you! I’ll leave the talking to Amanda (see below); images are all provided with her permission.

1) How did you get into dyeing?
I started crocheting over two years ago and for a while didn’t realize there was anything other than the brands they sold at chain stores. Eventually I was gifted some beautiful alpaca yarn and started slowly finding more and more gorgeous natural fiber yarns. And then came the indie yarns!  And teaching myself to knit!  So many beautiful hand dyed yarns out there to choose from! I thought it would be fun to try out dyeing my own yarn. I never thought I’d actually be able to sell much or actually exclusively start selling my yarn instead of finished crochet items!  But, people actually did like my yarn as much as I did/do!  I dye yarn based on what I like, and it just so happens that other people like them too!  I love trying out new colors and new bases and seeing how the same color looks on different fibers. It’s really exciting!

2) What is your favorite fiber to dye? 
This is a TOUGH question to answer. It honestly changes so often!  I am a sucker for just plain superwash merino, but there are so many fibers to choose from!!! Currently, I’m obsessed with bases that have a silk ratio to them, and in LOVE with BFL. Also, bamboo. BFL and Bamboo together, just amazing! You see?  I could go on. And tomorrow I will have something new to gush over.

3) Any advice for new dyers? 
Honestly, you can take as many classes as you want, and watch ALL the YouTube videos and read books. BUT, I recommend: Just have fun and do what you want!  Trial and error is the best (and most fun!) way to learn. Always make sure you write down what you did, though!  If you don’t, you may not be able to recreate it for potential buyers who have seen your sample skeins, haha

4) Where can folks find your shop online? 
I have a Facebook business page where I usually post any updates or sales, just look up Crochet The Winter Hunter Yarns. It has that fun “Shop Now” button!

Also, my actual ETSY shop is here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrochetTheWinter

5) What’s NEW on the horizon for your shop?
I am excited about something that I think will excite my buyers as much as it has excited me!  I can’t give away too many specific details, but I will be getting a lot of new bases soon!!  I’ll be able to provide a much wider of a selection than I currently have, and particularly with the heavier yarns!  I have very few select bases in anything higher than DK weight so I’m very happy about this. Now sock yarn . . . I have a LOAD of options; but you might seeing a new base or two there as well!

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Thanks so much Amanda!

I love meeting new people (and sheep!): if you are an indy dyer, a hand spinner, a shepherdess, a small flock owner, a mill operator, or a wool trader, I would love to feature your work on this site. Please get in touch via email or Ravelry by clicking the “About” tab (above)