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Back in 2010, I took an amazing yarn dyeing workshop in Cambridge, MA and fell in love with hand-painted yarns! Back then, I was solely dyeing yarn for myself and I still remember the day I sat down with my local knitting group at Doyle’s Cafe in Jamaica Plain, MA, and started knitting with my own hand-dyed yarn. Then someone suggested I should start selling my hand-painted yarns.

It never crossed my mind before to sell hand-dyed yarn as I was working a full-time job in the non-profit sector. I took that advice and I thought it would be great to make a “little money on the side.” I became a member in a local artisan group and I participated in my first craft-show, SOWA, in the South End. I received great admiration of my yarn and from there, I decided to start my own fiber arts company. I left my full-time job in April of 2011 to focus my attention on finding part-time work in the arts community while spending the other time growing my business.

In 2013, I was one of the finalist selected in the Merrimack Valley Sandbox Accelerator program (now known as Entrepreneurship for All). I received a business mentor, I laid out a business model that would work for my company, and I received many resources and opportunities through EforAll. At the time, we were only in two stores and we were selling our yarn on consignment. I knew this was not good enough for Lady Dye Yarns to just be in two stores and I wanted more for my company. I did my first crowdfunding campaign with Indiegogo to attend our first trade show, The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA), and we raised enough money to go! We had huge success at TNNA! We went from being in two stores in 2014 to our present number of 30 stores nationally and we continue to grow thanks to all of you!

We are entering a new chapter in the company where we are ready to move into space, employ a Business Manager, increase raw material, expand our marketing and branding, and build our working capital. We need your help again to make this happen. We are raising $40,200 to expand the company.

We need your help again to make this happen. We are raising $40,200 to expand the company. Please take the time to go to our Indiegogo Campaign page and make a contribution and please pass this information along. Every penny counts.

We all love knitting cute sweaters and hats for ourselves to wear. But have you ever taken your knitting beyond the garment? For instance, accessories for our gadgets are on-trend right now- and super necessary! Smartphones and computers have become part of our every day lives- so why not knit something cool for them?

We love this awesome Iphone cozy by blogger KnittyButton. The stripes and bright colors would look great in a Lady Dye colorway, don’t you think? Check out the pattern here: http://knittybutton.com/2010/09/17/another-ipod-cozy/

If you want to try out a crochet project for your gadget, give this pretty striped Ipad cover by Lisa Pocklington a try. We love the vintage chevron look, so cool! Head over to the designer’s blog to see the pattern: http://lisapocklington.blogspot.fr/2012/09/designer-free-crochet-ipad-cover.html?m=1

We LOVE this fun, hilarious knit laptop cover by Brittany Coughlin. Although “cover” is the wrong word, this is a laptop SWEATER, literally! It has a turtleneck and everything! This is so great we need one!! http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Knit-Accessories/Knit-Laptop-Sweater-Pattern/ml/1/?utm_source=ppl-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=allfreeknitting20140303

Have you knit any cool cases for your gadgets?

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Have you seen this cool fiber art project?

Two Amsterdam-based artists, Lenert Engleberts & Sander Plug use designer sweaters as their medium in this piece that is part sculpture, part performance. Taking sweaters from last season from designers such as Prada and Celine, the duo carefully unravels each garment.

Once completely unraveled, the remaining yarn is wound into a ball, and the garment label attached in plain view.

What does this piece say to you? Does it make you think of upcycling? Of the relationship between process and material? And what do you think it says about these designers?

Source:

http://designtaxi.com/news/365787/Artists-Reduces-Last-Season-Luxury-Knitwear-Into-Balls-Of-Yarn/

This past week we had an amazing opportunity at Lady Dye! Not only did we install a yarn bomb at The Eliot School in Jamaica Plain, we got filmed and interviewed by Chronicle while doing it!

Check it out!

We installed our fun little yarn bomb on the front welcome sign- the perfect addition to an art school, don’t you think?

Lady Dye talked about contemporary knitting, including yarn bombing! Our biggest question- is it legal?

The answer- no it is not! Gotta watch out for cops!

We got away with it this time!

Thanks Chronicle and The Eliot School, we had a great time! make sure to tune in to see Lady Dye on TV!

P.S. Jamaica Plain News stopped by to check out our yarnbomb as well! Read the article here!

We have been SO busy lately! Between starting production on our orders, moving our studio space, and thinking about next year’s collection, we’ve barely had a minute to breathe! But it’s definitely a good kind of busy-we’re so excited for what we have in store for the rest of this year!

What we’re most psyched about is the release of our collection in more stores! Right now, Lady Dye is available around the Boston area and in our webshop, but at the end of the summer yarn stores around the country will carry us! We can’t wait!

Is Lady Dye coming to a shop near you? Keep in touch with us on social media and keep reading our blog to find out!

-The Lady Dye Team

Have you heard of Brazillian artist Paulo Ito? He’s currently the most-talked about artist in Brazil right now, as well as any country that has a large soccer following.

As you may or may not have heard, Brazil is hosting the 2014 World Cup. While the task of hosting the tournament is often taken on with pride, the cost of the event has left many Brazillins feeling uneasy about whether the country is up to it. Ito’s mural sums up these worries harshly, but truthfully:

With 25 percent of Brazil’s population living under the poverty line, meaning approximately 50 million, are in the same boat as the child in the image- unable to afford food. Ito’s emotionally charged mural has since gone viral, with many viewers weighing in their own opinions on the image.

No matter your views on street art, the mural has certainly accomplished what it has set out to do- start a conversation on an important issue that needs to be talked about. What do you think of Ito’s mural?

Photo credit: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/brazil/140522/world-cup-2014-paulo-ito-street-art-sao-paulo

Father’s Day is soon- this weekend in fact! In honor of the dads of the world (and any dude who rocks cool knitwear!) here’s a roundup of some of our favorite knitting patterns for guys!

This men’s cabled hat pattern by Shana from Needyl will keep the wearer nice and cozy for the winter. It’s an easy pattern, great for practicing cabling, and great for dad! Get the pattern here: http://www.allfreeknitting.com/Mens-Knit-Hats/mens-cabled-hat-pattern

If you want to tackle something more ambitious, this Aran cardigan, aptly named the Dad’s cardigan, would be a good bet. The look is classic, but the intricate details make it special. Try it out:
http://www.yarnspirations.com/pattern/knitting/dads-cardigan

If your dad is more fashion-forward, try a more unique project- like this knit tie by Vickie Howell. It’s an easy project that definitely makes a statement. Check it out:
http://www.yarnspirations.com/pattern/knitting/family-ties-skinny-tie

It was a LONG winter in Boston, but Spring is finally here! We’re digging the sunshine and warm weather- mostly because it is the perfect weather for yarn bombing!

Lady Dye recently collaborated on this awesome flower-bombed bench with her good friend Amy! Located right in the lovely Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain- we think it came our great!

We’re always gathering yarn for our future yarn-bombing projects. We can’t wait to do more this season! What do you like to knit in the springtime?

Happy Spring!
-The Lady Dye Team

TNNA was such a huge success!

We just want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone- our Kickstarter supporters, followers, fans, and all the incredible people we got to meet at TNNA. Thanks for making the show such a great experience!

Now the real work begins- we can’t wait to get started on filling orders! We’re ready to rock! We’re also psyched about the launch of our brand-new website. Make sure to watch this space, we’ve got lots of cool stuff planned!

Thank you!!
-The Lady Dye Team