Featured Yarn Store and Giveaway -- Holly Tree Dyeworks!
February 08, 2012
My recent pattern, the #140 Vintage Charmer One-Ball Hat has been a great best-seller! Now, meet the company that created the gorgeous, hand-spun and hand-dyed 100% baby alpaca yarn used in this project AND enter to win one of 3 kits!
This pretty hat pattern was sponsored by hollytreedyeworks.etsy.com.
Thanks, Sarah, the creator of all The Holly Tree Dyeworks yarns, for the beautiful seafoam green hank that you created and sent to me that inspired and really made this hat so special!
Here's more on The Holly Tree Dyeworks:
Sarah set up her shop after finding it difficult to get good quality yarn for projects she wanted to knit for her own children and eventually set up on Etsy to bring designer yarn to fellow fibre addicts at a great price.
She runs her shop from her studio tucked away at the back of her 19th Century
Victorian House, the studio overlooks the garden and very particularly the lovely old Holly Tree where the yarn is dried in good weather and this provides a lot of inspiration for her work.
The shop stocks lots of designer sock yarns as well as laceweights and bulky yarns with colorways inspired by trips to the surrounding countryside.
All her colors are hand blended and hand dyed by her.
Thanks, Sarah!! I loved knitting with the chunky baby alpaca. It was incredibly soft and light! And the green shade had so much depth, it really made the Vintage Charmer hat a longtime keeper ;-)
Check out Sarah's current offerings at hollytreedyeworks.etsy.com,
tell them SweaterBabe.com sent you, AND enjoy 10% off with the special coupon code SWEATERBABE10!
*** And now for the Vintage Charmer Hat Kit Giveaway! ***
Sarah generously sent 3 hanks of the wonderful chunky 100% baby alpaca yarn that was used in the #140 Vintage Charmer One-Ball Hat to give away!
Only one hank is needed to make the hat!
Enter to win one of the three hanks shown:
1) Post a comment on this blog post telling us what you love about hand-spun, hand-dyed yarns like Sarah's. One comment per person, please. All comments must be in by 9pm PST, March 10, 2012. And please also "like" this blog post using the Facebook link below.
2) For Ravelry.com members, please post a comment on the Giveaway post in the SweaterBabe.com Fans group in Ravelry. One comment per person, please. Comments must be received by 9pm PST, March 10, 2012. AND please also FAVE this pattern here.
After March 10th, I will choose 3 lucky winners to each receive a Hat Kit: One hank of the gorgeous Holly Tree Dyeworks Chunky 100% Baby Alpaca (I'll choose the color) + the #140 Vintage Charmer One-Ball Hat PDF pattern.
Sorry, the antique shell buckle not included AND winning hanks of yarn can only be shipped to U.S. or Canada addresses.
Good luck to all!
*** WINNERS ANNOUNCED! ***
Congrats to these 3 randomly chosen winners!
Christine, who commented on this blog post 3/9/12.
L2Jarvis, who commented on the Ravelry post for this giveaway on 2/17/12.
kathryn stevens, who commented on this blog post 3/10/12.
Woohoo!! You will each be emailed the PDF pattern and sent the hank of Chunky Alpaca for the kit. Thanks again to HollyTreeDyeworks.etsy.com for sponsoring this giveaway!
Posted on February 08, 2012 at 11:46 AM in Giveaways and Contests | Permalink
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Comments (234)
I love indie dyers because they make me feel like I am getting something OOAK and less commercial! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Posted by: Megan | February 14, 2012 at 11:36 AM
My daughters just purchased a skein of hand spun, hand-dyed yarn as a Christmas gift for me. I can't wait to knit with it. It is so soft and a beautiful variegated color scheme. Hand-dyed yarns are so very unique one just has to love them!! :)
Posted by: Tammy Larink | February 14, 2012 at 01:39 PM
I love Sarah's shop. I so hard to find organics in such lovely colours. Plus she's a team mate too!
Posted by: BabanCat1 | February 15, 2012 at 06:42 AM
I love the look of the yarn. So full of character. I'm learning how to make my own. Debbie H
Posted by: Debbie H | February 15, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Love the.natural look of this yarn , I'm so Happy to work with new yarns. Jane
Posted by: jane thompson | February 15, 2012 at 11:35 AM
I love hand-dyed natural yarns because of the lovely colors and the attention to detail.
Posted by: Stefanie vP-B | February 15, 2012 at 11:39 AM
I love the color variations obtained by indie dyers, it's always a unique look and makes for a wonderful finished product.
Posted by: JW | February 15, 2012 at 11:40 AM
I love knitting and working with hand-dyed yarns. Each skein is unique.
Posted by: Marilyn D | February 15, 2012 at 11:40 AM
I love how luxurious the yarn always feels and the depth of the unique colors.
Posted by: Sabrina | February 15, 2012 at 11:45 AM
I LOVE working with (and wearing!)natural yarns! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Posted by: Barbara Frei | February 15, 2012 at 11:47 AM
I love the look of the alpaca yarn....So luxurious and fluffy at a great price. Each skein is unique in its own way....Would love to have this yarn.
Posted by: doris irizarry | February 15, 2012 at 11:52 AM
My yarn and knitting addiction has reached new heights since retiring and having more free time to exercise my obsession. I've found myself moving through the yarn "hierarchy" of cheap, mass-produced yarn (producing less than wonderful results on projects) to the more expensive hand-made yarn with real "personality" (and results worth the time expended). We put so much energy and love into the things we make - why not do it with exceptional yarn??!!! (And of course, exceptional patterns!)
Posted by: KWG | February 15, 2012 at 11:55 AM
love the colors!
Posted by: Barb | February 15, 2012 at 11:56 AM
This hat looks so soft and warm making it perfect for MI winter. The yarn is muted beautifully from one shade into another.
Posted by: Carol | February 15, 2012 at 11:57 AM
I love hand dyed yarn because the colours have more depth and subtlety. Off to check out the etsy shop.
Posted by: Alison | February 15, 2012 at 11:58 AM
These yarns look so incredibly beautiful and soooo soft. It would be awesome to win some and see and feel it. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Ruby | February 15, 2012 at 12:02 PM
I love hand spun and dyed yarns because someone lovingly spun and dyed the yarn which makes the finished knitted or crocheted item so much more special with a one of a kind look and feel.
Posted by: Carmon March | February 15, 2012 at 12:02 PM
What beautifully soft and delectable looking yarns!
Posted by: bette | February 15, 2012 at 12:03 PM
Would adore knitting with hand dyed and hand spun delicious alpaca yarn like this. Alpaca is so very senuous and to knit with hand dyed and hand spun would be a peak experience for me. Hope that I am chosen.
Posted by: Susan B. | February 15, 2012 at 12:06 PM
I love the intention and care behind the personal touch in hand-dyed yarn.
Posted by: Cheryl Cheney | February 15, 2012 at 12:07 PM
You've got to love the hand-dyed yarns...what a work of art and every one an original!
Posted by: Elaine Harper | February 15, 2012 at 12:07 PM
WOW!!! YUMMY YARNS!!!My daughter would LOVE IT!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Posted by: debbie lynch | February 15, 2012 at 12:09 PM
Love these beautiful yarns!!
Posted by: Gina Coombs | February 15, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Love the colours and alpaca is dreamy. Plus I love supporting artisans. Buying from people like this is definitely a Win-Win!
Posted by: Carlene Paquette | February 15, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Im going to find that yarn and buy it right now.
Posted by: Christina B | February 15, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Hand dyed yarns are the best. Always have the nicest and most unique colors for just about anything. I purchase a lot of hand dyed yarn for socks, scarves and other items--sometimes just because I like the color and will figure out what to make later. The yarns from Holy Tree Dye Works have such wonderful subtle dye changes and would truly enhance a hat, scarf, shawl or whatever. The colors are unique and do not look mass produced. I would love to try it.
Posted by: Sharon Talarowski | February 15, 2012 at 12:24 PM
I love the richness and depth of colour that you get with hand-dyed yarns. It makes a project just that much more special.
Posted by: Julie | February 15, 2012 at 12:37 PM
This is such a lovely, natural yarn. I only work with natural yarns.
Posted by: Borie | February 15, 2012 at 12:41 PM
I think hand spun and dyed yarns allow each of us the opportunity to have yarn that is just a little more appealing and different. I don't have the knowledge to do it myself, so it still gives me the chance to have one of a kind yarn. The hat is wonderful, too.
Posted by: Debbie | February 15, 2012 at 12:41 PM
I love hand dyed yarn. The knit or crochet up beautifully. So pretty
Posted by: Wendy Mahaffey | February 15, 2012 at 12:45 PM
What a wonderful hat that would be.
Posted by: Diane Pyle | February 15, 2012 at 12:47 PM
I love indie dyers because their yarn is unique, different from the commercially available yarns. The care and love they put into their yarns really shows :)
Posted by: Cindy Ward | February 15, 2012 at 12:55 PM
I wasn't going to buy yarn before DFW Fiber Fest, but she had me at "lace Weight hand dyed Angora shades of blue".
The hat could be a problem because I'm not sure I'd get to keep it. Still - willing to make a try!
Posted by: Margo Lynn | February 15, 2012 at 01:01 PM
No commercial yarn can compare to the nuances of color variation in a hand spun yarn.
Posted by: pam | February 15, 2012 at 01:02 PM
The colorways of the indie dyers are just so beautiful that you cannot get that in factory dyed yarn. Nothing compares to the hand-dyed yarns. And there is nothing that feels better on the skin than hand-spun yarn to me, either!
Posted by: Jennifer Lucas | February 15, 2012 at 01:06 PM
I adore hand spun yarn - there is truly nothing like it. Each skein unique! I only knit with natural yarns, and love the colorways in this shop!Thanks!
Posted by: woolies | February 15, 2012 at 01:08 PM
Beautiful shadings of color in these yarns - done with a subtle hand. And the hat's adorable!
Posted by: Betty Jean | February 15, 2012 at 01:17 PM
My dsis has a friend who raises sheep and harvests the wool for fleece and yarn making. I visited her booth at the county fair last summer and fell in love with the handspun yarns. While there, I was able to teach her daughter how to make a colonial dress to wear during her hand carding and spinning presentations. My dsis tried to get me interested in felting with roving, but my real love will always be knitting.
Posted by: Susan B | February 15, 2012 at 01:19 PM
I love using handspun/dyed yarns because I make no two items alike... and these yarnz lend themselves to my style of creating. I also enjoy the thought that the essence and creativity of the spinner/dyer goes into the project with my own!
Indulgence on Ravelry
Posted by: Lori Pewsey | February 15, 2012 at 01:22 PM
The nicest thing about hand-spun and hand-dyed yarn is that they make both the knitter and the receiver of the knit item feel special. I often find that the piece I worked with hand-spun is too wonderful to keep to myself.
Posted by: leticia | February 15, 2012 at 01:22 PM
I love how the yarn and the dyes are all so natural and have such different patterns, all unique. I would really love to win this yarn and pattern to finally get to try hand-dyed and hand-spun yarn. I love the hat pattern, too. :)
Posted by: Bekki Morris | February 15, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Hand-spun yarn and hand-dyed yarn "give" a special dimension to my projects. Love them!
Posted by: Tesha | February 15, 2012 at 01:30 PM
Just ordered two skeins of yarn from Holly Tree Dyeworks. can't wait to get them. sure would love to add to my collection by winning the yarn and pattern. Thanks!
Posted by: folksmith | February 15, 2012 at 01:42 PM
Beautiful colors. I hope I win!
Posted by: GrannyH | February 15, 2012 at 01:45 PM
I love this type of yarn because you feel like you are wearing something one of a kind and even if someone else makes the pattern using the same yarn it will look just a little different.
Posted by: Cheryl Clark | February 15, 2012 at 01:48 PM
I love that each skein is completely unique, and I also think that hand-dyed yarns tend to have more vibrancy & depth to the colors than those that are mass produced.
Posted by: wibbef | February 15, 2012 at 02:02 PM
Cute hat! I would love to win.
Posted by: Joanne Jones | February 15, 2012 at 02:05 PM
Handspun, hand dyed alpaca. What a yummy yarn to knit the Vintage Charmer hat. I love knitting with handspun-so soft.
Posted by: Denise Hinckley | February 15, 2012 at 02:14 PM
I enjoy crocheting with a yarn that has a luxurious look and feel to it. The colors are so pretty and I hope I win so I can find a special hat to make with it.
Posted by: Margaret Richardson | February 15, 2012 at 02:15 PM
I love baby alpaca yarn, it is so soft. I enjoyed seeing all the colors of hand dyed yarn. There are so many combinations and colors.
Posted by: Teresa aka Knittingdancer | February 15, 2012 at 02:22 PM
The yarn is beautiful and unique. I love alpaca yarn, so soft and so warm!
Posted by: Alayna | February 15, 2012 at 02:28 PM
Love the yarn. Hand dyed is always great.
Posted by: Denise Royal | February 15, 2012 at 02:35 PM
I am all about vintage, and nothing says classic like a handspun, hand dyed yarns. Each hank has it's own personality!
Posted by: debra peterson | February 15, 2012 at 02:37 PM
hand-dyed yarns make all the difference in creating stylish hat. I'm always looking for interesting yarns for the hats that I knit for my etsy shop :-)
Posted by: Barbie | February 15, 2012 at 02:37 PM
Hand dyed yarn is wonderful. I took a class with a friend & dyed 2 skeins. I am making a sweater with it now & it is working up beautifully!!
Posted by: Penny Chace | February 15, 2012 at 02:43 PM
One of the things I like about handspun, hand dyed yarns are that they are one-of-a-kind and that you can get them most luscious colors, that you cannot get anywhere else.
Posted by: Judi A. | February 15, 2012 at 02:51 PM
I love everything about handspun and hand dyed yarn. To sum it up, when I buy it I feel like I've bought a diamond, or caviar - it's something that is for me 'extravagant' but doable! It feels like heaven!
Posted by: Sandi | February 15, 2012 at 02:57 PM
Gorgeous yarn :)
Posted by: Karen | February 15, 2012 at 03:07 PM
I love Indies dyers as I think they put a little bit of themselves in all of their products, which makes it more unique and special!
Posted by: Denise | February 15, 2012 at 03:08 PM
hand dyed handspun = unique
Posted by: catsmum | February 15, 2012 at 03:32 PM
I love the colors and they look so soft. I agree with others, I prefer Indie dyers because I want to support small businesses. They are what make this country great.
Posted by: Deanna | February 15, 2012 at 03:52 PM
Earthy yarn both in texture and in color. Connections to the source make working with this yarn that much more meaningful!
Posted by: Vicki Phillips | February 15, 2012 at 04:28 PM
The hat is lovely, and the yarn is gorgeous; thank you for this opportunity to win one of these hand dyed baby alpaca skeins!
Posted by: Ruth Mooney | February 15, 2012 at 04:51 PM
I would be so excited to win! Love your blog, love your patterns!
Posted by: Ellen | February 15, 2012 at 04:57 PM
I love those colors (they look vintage) and being a newish knitter, I like knitting with chunky yarns. The hat pattern is adorable! I think hand-spun, hand-dyed yarn makes me feel more of a connection with the entire process, and you don't find the depth of color that you see with hand-dyed yarn like Sarah's. The reason I started knitting was because of the way yarn feels & the colors!!
Posted by: Nancy | February 15, 2012 at 04:59 PM
I like the uniqueness of yarn like this! I also enjoy seeing the creativity shown by indie dyers.
Posted by: Renee Z. | February 15, 2012 at 05:10 PM
I love the textures you can achieve with hand spun - I like thick/thin quality best when using a bulky yarn!
Posted by: Barby K | February 15, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Hand spun and dyed yarns are so much fun because the final product is always a surprise and one of a kind. Both the yarn producer and the knitter create something unique. Such joy to watch the product develop. I would love to try this yarn.
Posted by: Barb | February 15, 2012 at 05:22 PM
Since I've been laid off and unable to find another job in my field, I haven't been able to indulge myself in hand spun and hand dyed yarns. I'm keeping busy with the cheap stuff and it looks like it!!!! Would love to be able to knit the hat with this luscious looking yarn.
Best wishes to all.
Posted by: Carol Katz | February 15, 2012 at 05:33 PM
I love the uniqueness, and the fact that a person made it, put their time, energy, and love into it - not some faceless machine.
Posted by: Rachel | February 15, 2012 at 05:39 PM
I love the care that went into each hank. and the colours are exquisite
Posted by: mel d | February 15, 2012 at 05:45 PM
Whats not to love you get the most amazing colors, and every hank has been touched by human hands that alone is pure joy!
Posted by: Donna Moody | February 15, 2012 at 06:09 PM
The colors of that hand dyed yarn are beautiful. I would love to knit something with it!
Posted by: Ellie McGovern | February 15, 2012 at 06:40 PM
I like the colors and the feel of the yarn.
Posted by: Sue | February 15, 2012 at 06:49 PM
I love the fact that each skein of hand spun, hand dyed yarn is original and unique, just like me!
Posted by: Leigh G. | February 15, 2012 at 07:16 PM
I love working with hand dyed yarn because it just flows through your fingers like butter. SOOOOOOOOOOO Soft and lovely to work with. Alpaca just tops it off with the softness factor!!!
Posted by: Colleen Fitzgerald | February 15, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Hand-dyed yarns make ordinary plain patterns look special. When you wear the finished product everyone is in awe of their beauty. each garment is unique which is why I love these yarns so much. The opportunity to win a skein is a great idea--thank you sweater babe!
Posted by: Alice Dyer | February 15, 2012 at 08:56 PM
I love handspun hand dyed yarns because each are unique!
Posted by: Kenyetta | February 15, 2012 at 09:01 PM
I love the color variations of hand dyed yarns and the wonderful feel of handspun..... the commercial yarns can't compare
Posted by: Deb Bowman | February 15, 2012 at 11:10 PM
I love handspun, hand-dyed yarns because your knitting is a unique creation, different even than the same item with different skeins of the same yarn.
Posted by: Beth Rudo | February 15, 2012 at 11:10 PM
I really like the handspun and handdyed yarns. I know how much work goes into the processes and they are so unique. Hat pattern with this yarn is very nice.
Posted by: Peggy | February 16, 2012 at 12:34 AM
Hello from a french knitter..
I love your blog and particulary this yarn!!
Kiss from coldy France !! Sabine
Posted by: Sabine Lajus | February 16, 2012 at 12:53 AM
Very pretty yarn and lovely pattern as well! kudos to hand-dyed yarns, they're true works of art.
Posted by: Lorraine T | February 16, 2012 at 12:56 AM
Soft color, soft yarn to enjoy the feel and look of while knitting and when finished, the joy of warmth and luxury. Thanks for beautiful colors and pattern.
Posted by: Barb. | February 16, 2012 at 12:57 AM
I thinnk knowing that each hank of yarn is unique makes it special when you make something out of hand dyed yarns that are soft and easy to knit up into something special for friends and family
Posted by: MJ Cahill | February 16, 2012 at 04:30 AM
I haven't had the pleasure of working with hand dyed yarns, but with yarns this beautiful, I'd love the opportunity to try them out!
Posted by: Margay1122 | February 16, 2012 at 05:14 AM
What I like about hand dyed yarn is it's individuality! Since each yarn is hand dyed they all have their own personality which in turn makes anything made with them unique. These colors are beautiful and the biggest perk for me is that hubby is allergic to most animal fibers, he won't bother it if I were fortunate enough to win one!
Posted by: Janie Holley | February 16, 2012 at 06:06 AM
I love the variations you get with handspun/hand-dyed yarns. They add so much to whatever you choose to create with them
Posted by: Dari Trout | February 16, 2012 at 06:12 AM
I love the softness of the yarn and of the colours. It's a perfect match for your feminine patterns.
Posted by: Ilehlia | February 16, 2012 at 06:40 AM
The colors are awesome
Posted by: Deb | February 16, 2012 at 06:43 AM
Natural hand dyed yarn is special. Each skein is unique, making garments truly one-of-a-kind. The work that is required to make lovely garments is suitably rewarded.
Posted by: Lynda Franczek | February 16, 2012 at 06:54 AM
The yarn is gorgeous and looks so soft.
Posted by: Loren Gaggini | February 16, 2012 at 07:33 AM
Exquisite yarn makes a project so special. When I spend hours knitting something, I want it to be the best possible product. I'm using more and more hand dyed yarn because they look fabulous when complete. I made 11 hats and 2 scarves for gifts this winter, haven't made a hat for myself yet. I'd like to win this, make a hat for me!
Posted by: Niki Winchell | February 16, 2012 at 07:47 AM
I love the sheer luxury of using something that has been created by someone's hand. With all the throwaways in today's modern world, there's some kind of magic in co-creating something beautiful that will last a lifetime.
Posted by: Diane N. | February 16, 2012 at 08:05 AM
Love, love, love everything about the hat. I am addicted to making hats so will have to give this one a go. Thanks for giving us a chance to win.
Posted by: Shelly | February 16, 2012 at 08:20 AM
I love that the yarns are truly unique and one-of-a-kind. You won't see everyone and their sister wearing your identical items :-)
Posted by: Rose | February 16, 2012 at 08:29 AM
Oops. I meant to say items identical to yours.
Posted by: Rose | February 16, 2012 at 08:30 AM
I love the depth and richness of hand-dyed yarns--the subtle variations make them so fun to work with.
Posted by: Stephanie Sisson | February 16, 2012 at 09:22 AM
Love the looks of this hat. Will be exciting to try the pattern.
Posted by: Norma Black | February 16, 2012 at 09:55 AM
I LOVE Alpaca yarn! It feels so much nicer than synthetics, and less itchy than wool.
Posted by: Krista | February 16, 2012 at 06:56 PM