True confession, I haven’t knit my #samplealong2 yarns yet. I had a hard time settling down this week to knit. The various different types of state-openings has me feeling restless.

I’ve wanted to write about the different dyeing styles of some fiber dyers that I admire for a bit, and now seems like a good time to start.

I’m going to start with Into the Whirled. I’ve been using Cris’ fiber in my classes for years now and was a fan long before that. Who remembers those giant batts she used to do?

If you’ve seen Into the Whirled at a show you’ve seen their outstanding fiber display.

Colorways change as you go across the racks, and each colorway is dyed on different breeds or blends as you go down the rack.

You have to be fast if you’re shopping in person, it can get a little elbow-y with other spinners in their booth.

Cris dyes a big variety of breeds and blends. If you’ve been in any of my classes over the past 2-3 years, we use Falkland. I’ve recently picked up some Romney and really do need some Cheviot.

She is a dyer who takes care with how she handles her fiber. I have yet to find a braid that is compressed or clumpy.

I like to study my braids a little before I spin them, out of curiosity, and to have a bit of an idea how my yarn will look.

Cris has a unique way of dyeing, not how she gets the color on the fiber, but how she places her colors.

Cris dyes in pattern, which is great if you want to have more control over your colors, or want to spin a fractal. Most dyers when they dye a pattern work with a set of colors, and repeat them with some kind of regularity. Take a look at the photos of the braid open (this color is Walla Walla).

Cris works with two patterns of color, one is a range of blues and greens and one is a range of oranges and pinks. Each has their own pattern, and each is used separately with a color from the other set making an occasional guest appearance. All of the colors coordinate well and could be dyed into a beautiful braid that simply rotates through all of the hues. Splitting them and splashing in a color from the other group leads to a more sophisticated arrangement of colors in spun yarn, a pattern but with a little unpredictability.

Do you study your braids before you spin?