Meet Carolyn of Swan City Yarns

Jul 9

When I was working on my Interstellar Shorties knitting pattern, I gave a lot of thought to which yarn I wanted to use for the final pattern. I wanted to feature a local dyer with wicked color sense and a wonderful, inclusive personality. I wanted yarn that felt great to knit with and also to wear. I couldn’t stop thinking about Carolyn and her spectacular sock yarn (she dyes other bases too, by the way). Recently, I had the opportunity to pick Carolyn’s brain (in the friendliest way) so we could get to know her a little bit more.

Tell us about how you came to be/chose to be an indie yarn dyer.

Just over eight years ago, a friend and I reconnected on Facebook and discovered that we’d both taken up knitting in the interim. We started working on projects together, one of which was to start a small knitting-related company. We experimented with dyeing yarn, and I discovered I had a knack for it and fell in love. I’ve been dyeing yarn for about 8 years.

What is your favorite color? To dye? To wear?

Red is a color that I’m always drawn to. It makes me happy. I probably wear more white than anything - it’s such a good foil for pairing bright, contrasting colors with. I don’t have a favorite color to dye - that changes constantly - I just fall in love anytime a combination of colors come together in beautiful and sometimes, unplanned or unexpected ways…

Tell us about your yarn bases. Do you have a favorite? Are there bases you are on the lookout for but haven't found yet?

I have a variety of bases ranging from lace, all the way to super bulky. All of them feature either Alpaca or Superwash Merino. I love each of them for different reasons. For example, Fluffy Lace is Suri Alpaca and Silk, and is just perfect to hold with another yarn for some added squishiness without the sticky and sometimes itchiness of Mohair. I also love Silky Sock (SW Merino, Cashmere, and Silk) and use it most often for garments because it’s so perfect for Florida, with great drape and a nice sheen.

Although I love to knit with all sorts of fiber blends, I’m not looking to add anything else at the moment, given the size of Swan City Yarns. Perhaps as I grow…

What other dyers inspire you?

I’ve found myself most inspired by yarn dyers who are kind and passionate about what they do, and are willing to lift up those around them. Local dyers, Ann of Twin Mommy Creations, and Caitlyn of String Theory Colorworks, come to mind as well as Trudy from Ewe 2 Yarn.

Where will you be this summer?

I’ll be staying local this summer with trunk shows in and around central Florida, and then traveling out of state at the beginning of August. I love to celebrate Christmas in July, so a few of the trunk shows will focus on that.

- July 5th – Knitcessities: Christmas-themed trunk show

- July 19th – Knit and Stitch Boutique: Christmas themed trunk show & holiday sock blank dyeing experience

- July 26th – She Sells Yarn: Classes & Trunk Show – Botanical Scarf dyeing & working with hand dyed yarns

- August 8-9th - Southern Comforts Fiber Market in Charlotte, NC

Do you knit with other people’s yarn?

I do, periodically. I currently have a pair of socks that I’m knitting with String Theory Colorworks yarn.

Do you have a YouTube channel?

Yes! I do a live podcast every Friday at 1:00.

What do you like best about the yarn-loving community you are part of?

I love the kindness and support. The willingness to help each other, admire each other’s projects and strengths, and have a shoulder to lean on through the weak times.