Expertly Dyed: Art by Science

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Expertly Dyed: Art by Science

I like sharing what I do because I find inspiration in the work of others. I hope you find some insp I'm an independent dyer and fiber artist.

Because of this, I can use my creativity in a scientific way to create a multitude of repeatable colors, just in case you needed "just one more skein."

12/23/2025

It's healthy to be skeptical and question authority, and you should spend some time reinventing the wheel. I can't tell you how many times people told me "We already found that answer, so why are you investigating it like it's new?" Significant insights are gained by walking through someone else's footsteps.

This occurs as standard practice in academia. I spent countless hours tracing through the research threads of my predecessors so I could gain a thorough understanding of how they arrived at their conclusions. In the crafting world, it's often advised against. Why?

Questioning why people suggest using a 2ply warp for weaving can lead you down a fascinating rabbit hole. If you must use a 2ply, why did prehistoric people largely use singles? If you argue about abrasion, why don't we just suggest using a higher twist? Highly experienced weavers have mentioned using high twist singles when I embarked on my weaving projects over 12 years ago. They were in the minority.

If you want to really know the answers to why questions, feel free to discover them personally. Don't always accept received wisdom or consensus. Be unshackled from tradition or ways of doing. It's okay if you arrive at the same answer as what everyone has told you. In the process, you will develop your applied critical evaluation skills.

12/18/2025

The end of year deadlines always hit me like a blizzard. I did 2 pop up shows, 2 wool festivals, 2 conferences, and a newsletter article since the end of September. I'm looking forward to the holiday and a well earned 2 week break!

This has been a tough financial year for me, and for many of you. I'm incredibly thankful that I can make handmade gifts and give them to my loved ones whenever they're done, even if it's after Christmas. Though I'm making simple things like handspun socks and a jumper (which will probably be finished in January), I am reinforcing connections to shepherds and influencing their positive impact on the landscape. This makes me grateful.

The end of the school term is upon us. Enjoy your time with family, friends, and fibercrafts. 🧶

12/02/2025

I love it when you get to a certain level of expertise in a craft or activity or language when you can stay breaking the rules you learn as a beginner. I always swatch for a project, and I'll test out new design concepts or pattern stitches on a small scale before I commit to the knitting.

But for some projects, like socks, I'm pretty confident my gauge and the fabric will work out fine in the wash, despite my working yarn having lived in an abandoned hood project from 2 years ago. At the end of the day, these will go on my feet 😅😂

As a perpetual rule follower, who receives great comfort from process and predictable results, it's so much fun to ignore that little voice that starts saying "hey, shouldn't you skein and wash that first?" Not this time, ma'am! 🤣🤣 What do you rebel against in knitting? I'd love to hear how you guys cut corners with spinning or knitting by using your expertise to get the result you want. 😊😉

11/29/2025

I am enamoured by this stitch. It's the knit stitch and the basic component of knitting. This was the first stitch pattern I fell in love with (sorry garter stitch). Stockinette shows off the yarn most of all.

I've tried all week to do my voiced parts of the Shetland Fiber Talk episode, but it's been tricky with yet another cold. I am unwilling to mask my autism any longer, which means not pushing myself to carry on with my schedule as designed. Removing the abelist thoughts in my head is challenging.

I'm not being lazy while recovering properly from an illness. I'm not pretending to be energised. I'm allowing the dishes to sit a while longer while basking in the knowledge that I'm 100% caught up on laundry.

There are thousands of beautiful sock patterns out there, and I've made some, but I can't tax my brain too much right now or the mental exertion will prevent me from completing a conference paper and two publications. Therefore, I'm thrilled that such a basic pattern exists so I can just love what I'm doing right now.

11/25/2025

I have some big plans for 2026 (I always make a crafting resolution) but here's a little tease so you can see the direction in going. I made these with wool in the natural colours. They got me through so many years of cycling, with almost no wear and tear, and zero pilling.

This was the fleece I bought from in April. It's a shaman cross, likely with something that had a silky handle. It doesn't need to hold up against the brutality of cycling, so I'm going full luxury (even adding in some silk!). The batts are being made (did you see my shop update? www.expertlydyed.com) and I'll get to spinning in early December. 😊

11/22/2025

In every craft, there's some technique, method, or process that you find challenging. And you might not understand why it won't click. And it might annoy you deeply because maybe you wished you could make the finished product, if only you could know why your neurons aren't doing their job.

Longdraw has been this challenge for me. There are many subtleties in how you guide the twist into the fiber while drafting out the gauge you want. I need to practice it now so it flows more easily. I used to get really stressed out while practicing.

I know the evenness will happen with repetition, but the important thing about this technique is capturing warmth in the yarn. And that's what I've done.

11/19/2025

Have you been wondering how to boost your skills and make truly heirloom yarns? I have many, many handspun yarns from commercially processed wool that I love and enjoy working with, but those I've made from hand processed fleeces are amazing.

This is due to a variety of reasons, like having more lanolin, carded rather than combed, higher twist, etc., but the results are always notable. Every process, every technique, has a place in the craft (so keep spinning what you want!), but if you haven't spun wool that's been hand processed, today is a PSA to give it a try.

Bonus, you'll be supporting shepherds and small business owners. 😉🥰

11/17/2025

Hey, it's cold today! It's about to be a frigid, wintry week in the UK. Perhaps you need a hat? One which is made of wool, easy to care for, and in a variety of colours? How about one that's been 🤔 Either way, you support the maker and her two hands. I've just added a selection to my shop in www.expertlydyed.com

As well, you can also message me for a custom knit hat 😊 And if you fancy some wool to spin so you can make your own hat? More wool is inbound this week.

11/12/2025

Well, now I have all this handspun Southdown yarn. I had intended to make a set of couples sweaters, but there's only enough yardage for one. Since I just finished a sweater for myself, I'm rethinking what to do with this 900 yards of DK/ worsted 3ply (well, some bits are slightly aran). It was my fault for thinking that 700g would be enough 😅🤣 I'll buy more fleece and try again later.

Would anyone be interested in watching a livestream where I make the warp and set it up with my loom? I'm scheduling my holiday activities, and this process might be fun to watch (and craft alongside).

11/04/2025

My present to myself in 2019 was buying 100g of cashmere top, which I dyed and spun. I had never spun pure cashmere (or since), and had no idea what to expect. I took this lace shawl project on my visit to America in March 2020 (lol, I know 😆😅), then finished it shortly after we got back. It was lockdown and I was writing.

5 years later, this fabric has grown more beautiful. The fibers have migrated out just enough to produce this incredible halo. I feel ethereal when I wear it, which is saying a lot since I often feel super clumsy.

What should my next present to myself be? 🧐

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McDonough, GA
30252

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http://www.expertlydyed.com/

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