Shawl Kit Collab, Simple Knit, Naturally Dyed Merino, Strawberry Lemonade

Description

I’m excited to share with you my first collaboration in the form of a shawl kit! Teaming up with Fatimah Hinds of Disturbing the Fleece to feature Moeke Romanian merino yarns which have been dyed up by me with an array of natural dye combos.

This kit includes 2 skeins of Romanian merino yarn and 1 Garter Smidgen Shawl Pattern Designed by Fatimah. Available until September 30th, 2023

Fatimah is a knitwear designer living in British Columbia and has a keen eye for color combos and texture. Here’s what Fatimah has to say about herself which can be found on her about page on her website 🙂 “When I began knitting 20+ years ago (wow), I was looking for a craft. I wanted to make things by hand and had a friend, a new knitter herself, teach me to knit when I was in my early twenties. My love for the craft was immediate. I knit hats and scarves, baby booties and sweaters. Later, my husband encouraged me to start selling my finished items. They were unique and often got him stopped on the street with inquiries. I used patterns from other artists but also really enjoyed making it up as I went along. After modifying the patterns of others to the point that it was a completely different thing, I decided to try my hand at pattern writing. It’s gratifying to take an idea that’s in my mind and translate it to paper, to yarn, and then to a finished piece.

As my skills grew, I leaned into my creativity. As my audience grew, I focused on my voice. I noticed that there weren’t too many members of the fiber community that looked like me. I knew there were makers of all races and identities but we were hard to find. I was inspired to take up more space on purpose. It was important to me to bring my full self to the table. My goal, to inspire others to be their true selves and to build a community of life long learners that was welcoming and inclusive of all identities but particularly marginalized ones. And Disturbing the Fleece was born. Here. is a place to share beautiful fiber art created by hand, to have hard conversations about race and inclusion, and to connect. Join me!”

Pattern Details:

Finished Measurements: 64″x17″

Gauge: 16sts x 26rows stockinette

Materials: Yarn; Moeke Romanian 100% Merino Yarn 382yrds/ 100g

Color Shown here in “Bees Knees” (weld) & “Strawberry” (cochineal)

Needle: US 5/3.75mm dpn. 60″ circulars; adjust needle size to achieve gauge.

Notions: row counter, stitch markers, tapestry needle to weave in ends.

About the Yarn: Moeke Romanian merino was grown in Romania from a modest sized flock by a brother sister team. Processed and spun in traditional mills.  Even though this yarn is no longer being produced, it is a very special set of skeins that were born from the memory of their grandmother who was a hand spinner, treated very tenderly to keep this larger produced yarn as close to their grandmothers hand spun as possible and it helped support their local mills in Romania. Something I am always keen to support myself.

These skeins ended up in my hands and I wanted to continue the out pouring of love that has gone into there skeins.

About my dye process:

I was excited to dye these up with a simple summer bright palette using just the primary colors.

For red/ pinks I used Mexican cochineal & a ton of fresh lime juice.

Dried weld flowers & dried onion skins for the yellows. And Two different indigo baths. My tried & true old standard vat & a fresh vat made with henna powder.

Inspired by my favorite summer drinks & treats, each kit is named for one.

I’ll have a limited number of single skeins and kits of this light as a feather tender merino single ply fingering weight yarn. Fatimah has designed an elegant shawl with classic contrasting textures and complementary color combos. A fun and simple summer knit.