Fibershed Polypay

Description

This yarn is grown and spun locally. Then it is dyed using natural dyes that are foraged or grown right here. Currently there are dyes made from marigolds, osage orange and black walnuts.

The PolyPay base is a 2 ply worsted weight yarn. There are 200 yards in each skein.

Please know that the skeins are one of a kind. Natural dyeing is highly variable and while I can get a similar color, I can not always do a complete match. So be sure to buy the quantity that you need when you see it here. If you would like a bigger quantity than is available, you can special order. Just email me and we can start the discussion.

If this is your first experience knitting with naturally dyed yarns, I’ve learned a lot about natural dyes along my journey of developing and knitting with our Polypay Wild and Fibershed yarns. As you handle, it may impart some of its earthy remnants onto your person, tools, and/or general surrounding. Some natural dyes, particularly indigo, continue to release particles of unbound color due to the friction of handling. This process is called crocking and it may stain your fingers temporarily or even your needles. The act of knitting usually completes the removal of any excess dye matter, so you shouldn’t experience any color transfer wearing your finished garment after wet blocking. You may rest assured that the color will wash off your hands with soap and water.

When caring for finished your pieces, soaking for several minutes with cool water and a pH neutral soap works best to avoid any color modification. While the dyes used for Polypay Wild and Fibershed are considered “light-fast”, meaning that they don’t easily fade away with exposure to sunlight, keeping the yarn from direct sun exposure will prolong its beauty. With proper care, knits made with this yarn will serve you well for years to come.

Want to know more? Watch my podcast about natural dyes here.