During the KCYC, I purchased some Steel Floozy Yarn that was in collaboration with New Garden Yarns called “Snuggle Up”. Knit Ewe Together had a great collection of the Steel Floozy Yarn on hand that day. Kim wasn’t at the shop but agreed to answer some questions for me. Cozy up and let’s find out about her journey from dyeing yarn to opening her own LYS.
Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background in yarn dyeing.
“My name is Kim Wassenberg Hull and I’ve been dyeing professionally for 2.5 years. I’ve been dyeing for myself and for friends for 10 years.”
What inspired you to become a yarn dyer?
“I love color and yarn.”
Please walk us through your dyeing process. What materials and techniques do you use?
“I use bare yarn from the UK. I use citric acid and dyes from Dharma or ProChem, and dye in my kitchen. I will kettle dye or dye in hotel pans. Sometimes I dye on the counter when I am sprinkling dye for a speckled effect.”
What challenges do you face in the dyeing process, and how do you overcome them?
“My biggest challenge is space. Since I’m dyeing in the kitchen, I can’t keep everything out and ready to use, so I have to bring it out and put it away each time. My drying room is the downstairs bathroom where I have racks, a fan, and a spin dryer set up.”
Where do you find inspiration for your yarn designs and colors?
“Everywhere! I will take pictures of landscapes or flowers, or of cute outfits that I see in stores. If I see a fabric print that I like, I will snap a photo of that. I also like interior room design as inspiration. I name my colors after music and 80’s references and also after Nancy Drew books.”
Are there any particular artists, nature elements, or cultures that influence your work?
“Not really, I look everywhere.”
How has the yarn community influenced your journey as a dyer?
“It has been a huge influence! I am constantly learning, and have watched many videos by ChemKnits on YouTube. I talk to dyers at festivals. I’ve working in yarn shops for many years and have learned a lot about yarn from those experiences. Now I own my own shop and can study all kinds of yarn every day.”
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting their own dyeing business?
“I think for most creative businesses, the biggest misconception is that the most time spent will be on the production of your product. Marketing, sales, customer service, bookkeeping, website creation and online presence…those are all key for a successful business. So is having or developing the ability to work for yourself. It takes a lot of discipline! I am lucky that I was a photographer for ten years and have learned to be my own boss.”
Are there any resources that you would recommend for aspiring dyers?
“Ravelry is a great resource and has dyeing forums where people are very helpful. ChemKnits on YouTube is a good resource as well.”
What trends are you noticing in the yarn dyeing world?
“I feel like we are getting away from speckles and crazy variegation and moving back towards more tonal yarns, but I don’t know if that’s really true or just my opinion.”
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or new product lines you can share?
“I’ve just opened my own LYS, River Heights Yarn Co., so that is my focus at the moment! I am selling Steel Floozy yarn, along with other small dyers and bigger brands that I love like Blue Sky Fibers, Stylecraft, and Berroco.”
How can readers support your work? Do you have a website or social media where they can connect with you?
“My social media is @steelfloozy and @riverheightsyarnco on Instagram. I am on Facebook for the yarn shop under River Heights Yarn Co and on Ravelry as riverheightsmhk with a Ravelry group River Heights Yarn Co . I’m selling yarn in my shop in Manhattan, KS and also at Knit Ewe Together in Excelsior Springs, MO.”
Is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers?
“Just to keep doing what you enjoy, you make the rules for your hobby and if you love it, that’s all you need to know!”
I enjoyed crocheting the Giana Mobius Infinity Scarf (pattern by Silver Rose Studio) with the KCYC yarn collaboration with Steel Floozy Yarn and New Garden Yarns. I love the colors combined together in this scarf and both yarns were fantastic to work with. The name “Snuggle Up” is very appropriate for their collaboration!
Kim, thanks so much for answering my questions. I look forward to a road trip to Manhattan, KS, to check out River Heights Yarn Co.
Steel Floozy
http://www.riverheightsyarnco.com
Owner – Kimberly Wassenberg Hull
Thank you to my readers for spending time with me today.
~ Belle
