INDIE DYE LOT: SOCKS

Meet an indie dyer and indulge in a design with their skeins

Tara Osborough studied hand dyeing and weaving at university, and in 2018 after a few years in the commercial industry she decided to use the techniques she had learnt to hand dye yarn for crafters and started Irish Artisan Yarn (IAY).

LOOK TO THE LANDSCAPE

Tara’s dyeing process starts with her surroundings. “Colour is always the first thing I see. Irish landscapes have hundreds of shades running through them – multiple shades of blue in the sea, mountains with heather, gorse, peat and green.”

When she dyes, Tara works from pictures she’s taken or that customers have sent her. Tara says, “I frequently ask customers for their favourite spots in Ireland and the stories they send me are so interesting and sometimes very emotional. I am really thankful for the incredible support I have been afforded by so many loyal customers. It never occurred to me until I met them online and at shows how therapeutic making with yarn is. So many talk of challenges they have overcome, anxieties, fears, ill health, redundancy, and how making things helps them. If a ball of my wool is giving someone escape that is the greatest pleasure for me.”

A HOOKY TRIP

If you are looking for escape of the travel variety then the yarn used for the project on page 70 may guide you. Merino Bamboo Silk 4ply in Cork is one of IAY’s best sellers and is inspired by the beautiful view of Cobh, a town just outside Cork, as seen above.

Tara was taught to knit by her grandmother Rosemary, “who is sadly no longer alive. She spent so much time teaching me and was very patient. Later I joined a local knitting and crocheting group, and met the wonderful Chrissie behind Chrissie Crafts. She inspired me to crochet and I became hooked! Chrissie designed a pattern for IAY and the rest is history. I love crochet and knitting equally and we are fortunate to have a great mix of both with our designer collaborations.”

JOIN THE CLUB

Tara started a yarn club as a bit of fun for her customers. ”This year is all about seasons. I’m working on Autumn in Ireland which will be three colours to represent September, October and November. You will see images that have inspired the yarn but the final colours will be a surprise. I have found some new yarn with a grey base which takes colour very differently and am in the process of finalising this collection, which is exciting.” www.irish-artisan-yarn.com Instagram: @irishartisanyarn