8 TIPS FOR RUNNING A HAND DYED YARN BUSINESS

[@crochetqueen6440]

Your last tip especially.. YES! I placed an order last year to Jellybeans yarns (check out their yarn if you're reading this, it's stunning) for four skeins of sock yarn. They are UK based, I am in New Zealand. One skein was the wrong colour. I messaged saying "the colour you sent is gorgeous but not the right one" and the response I got was "I've put the correct skein in the mail for you, please feel free to keep the other skein" I was happy, and I will definitely order from them again. I also told a couple of friends who have since ordered. I also bought an embroidery pattern recently and gave the designer a really good Etsy review - she messaged thanking me, and asked me to choose a complimentary pattern, and gave me a 15% off coupon code. I was so pleasantly surprised I used the coupon there and then and purchased another of her patterns. In both cases the good customer service from these small businesses gave them more business as a result.

[@Voolenvine]

Wow! It really makes a difference when small businesses go above and beyond for their customers.🤗 ::gasp!:: Jellybeans Yarns are gorgeous!!

[@BedeSisters]

Current Day Me wants to thank Past You for this video. I’m feeling like my own dyer business is at a bit of a crossroads and your gentle encouragement is just what I needed today. Can there be too many yarn dyers? That’s like asking if there can be too many artists. Never.

[@stacyelstone]

I felt like I was clapping after every point. This was my year of "no" and it's been so liberating and gave me the brain space to create more without the added pressure!

[@Voolenvine]

Such an awesome word, right?! Welcome to Club NO! 😂

[@GrowWithWill]

5:10 - Preserving and standing by your brand values are tough but essential to do in building an enduring brand. Love the Sivers reference; Derek Sivers is one of my favorites.

[@thelegendaryskunkashleypri4354]

I am a mixed medium artist - Entomologist and fiber artist. I love your tip about creating yarn to match your hobbies. The video itself was just... so genuine and I need to keep it on repeat for those days I'm down.

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

My biggest mistake as a yarn dyer in the beginning was not saying "no" enough. This year is my 4th year in business and "no" is my favorite word. Another great video Kristin!

[@Voolenvine]

Ahh! Congrats on 4 years in biz!! That's nothing to sniff at. I think we could all use a big neon "NO" sign hanging in our office. 😂🙌

[@thecornerofcraft]

I'm full time with my business, but I found this video a great and helpful reminder. Esp about comparison! I'm so guilty of that sometimes. Can't wait until we can catch up at EYF in the future ❤️ xxx

[@Voolenvine]

Yay!! I was so excited when you decided to start dyeing yarn. I love your D&D aesthetic and enjoy getting to see your business evolve and grow over the years. You go, Hannah!!! 😄💗💗💗 And OMG - The time when we can EYF again can't come soon enough.

[@The_CATT_Lady]

I think I need to watch this on repeat a few dozen times. Lol. I’m just about three weeks in and soooo overwhelmed!! Very helpful tips. ❤️

[@Voolenvine]

Oh my stars! I needed to read several books and watch several podcasts/TED talks about saying "No" until the point was hammered home. 😂 Watch as many times as you need! One tip I forgot to mention is to cut yourself some slack. Burnout is very real! If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's OK to take breaks, recharge. 😉💗 Congrats on getting into yarn dyeing!!

[@The_CATT_Lady]

Voolenvine thank you!!

[@kukrae]

@@Voolenvine A quote I keep pinned on the wall here in my office is from a VP at Paramount Studios. "A 'no' is incredibly empowering as it creates the necessary space for more valuable yeses." Thank you for your guidance. I'm just now tiptoeing around the idea of this type of business when I move in 2025.

[@jodihorgan4416]

I'm just getting ready to launch my yarn business (yarn made from the sheep I raise). The timing of your video was perfect and I greatly appreciate your tips. There are really great tips for any business. Thank you!

[@davidhensley76]

I dye yarn for my own use. So far, my customer service is average.

[@leaxpops]

David Hensley ....oh my gosh that made me laugh so hard! You made my day!!

[@gingerporter1473]

Lol truth hurtz

[@melissacantrell1879]

I found this video when I was discouraged and it lifted me! Thank you for reminding me that there’s enough room for more yarn dyers! This is my passion and I deserve to do something that I love! In my 3rd year and still feel like I’m crawling uphill but I’m not ready to give up my dream.

[@michelemcadams6600]

I'm starting the leg work for my own indie shop and it's definitely a daunting task. You, Amy Florence and Tylar Earl are awesome because you have taken the time to sit down and say 'You want to do this, here are things that you need to think about." which is fantastic! Every industry has people who are willing to help others get started then you have those who don't want to share anything because of some imagined situation. Thank you so much for put this together!!!

[@Songbead]

Thank you! I’m a knitter (for fun) and a jeweller, still easing myself back in after having my twins 2.5 years back. These tips really spoke to me even as an artist in a different discipline and although I’m not a new business technically, it’s good to bring me back round to my business and get back to building it from the ground up.

[@Dave_167]

PRO! Words of wisdom.

[@emmayoung2304]

I don't dye yarn but this video was lovely to watch ! Interesting to hear your perspective on things. Thank you for sharing!

[@sussasigne]

This is a great video, Kristin. I feel these tips is valid for any kind of business you're trying to wrangle with your sanity intact. You are wise and experienced my friend.

[@Voolenvine]

Hah, thank you, Susanne! I certainly apply some of these tips to other areas of my life, as well. So glad you enjoyed!! :)

[@rmarionette]

These are such good tips, not just for yarn dyers but for anyone starting their own business! Thanks so much for these; been loving all your videos and binging your old ones.

[@mistyblue5312]

Fun, interesting and valuable tips. I don’t dye yarn but this advise can be used for a lot of other scenarios. Thanks Kristen.

[@ravelutionyarn]

Thank you for sharing! Lots of great tips for a rookie like me.

[@knitsaboutyarn6841]

Thank you! I’ve just started making bags and accessories for fibre crafts and these tips transfer well to that 😊 much appreciated 💕

[@joannapaluch5393]

I want to thank you for sharing your tips. I've been toying with the idea of starting a dyeing business for a while now. I think I would like to do this more to be seen than making a living, if you know what I mean. "Show your work" might be my biggest obstacle- even if I knit something for somebody other than myself I have hard time to believe that they really like it. Low self confidence, I guess. Recently I started experimenting with dyeing and I really enjoy the process. Thank you for those really thoughtful and not discouraging tips. Wish me luck 😊

[@CurioYarnsPodcast]

Lots of excellent tips Kristin, thank you for the reminder that building a yarn brand takes time and not to compare myself to other yarn dyers

[@d1i2e3u4]

Great tips in general, because at the end of the day, wether we work for a boss or are our own boss, we do work for ourselves. For our own happiness, fulfilment, towards our own goals and ambitions, so we must keep our own personal growth in mind.

[@feltlikeitbydebs]

Thank you so very much. I will watch this video often.

[@jeanneklaver9307]

This is great advice for any type of creative artist! It explains why you are such a huge success. Thanks for sharing.

[@knittingandinspirationwith3365]

Thank you so much! Great great tips!

[@pennykyle9370]

Brilliant...thank you.

[@TheWanderingPurl]

Great tips! Thanks for the informative video.

[@misstine71]

So many great tips! thank you

[@fabiolaanixter1833]

Thx u for this video! It has helped me to start dying again.

[@TrinketNifflerKnitter]

Thank you for posting this ❤️

[@jessief2150]

Thank you so much for these tips! 💕

[@AnnikaScheer]

This was really helpful with lots of great tips. Thank you! :)

[@leaxpops]

Great advice!

[@erinf6643]

Thank you!!

[@leonedraeger926]

Thank you! All of these tips were very good!

[@Voolenvine]

Yay! I'm so glad you found them helpful, Leone! 🤗

[@WahrlichKnorke]

This was very helpful!! Thanks a lot :) I wish I could give more thumbs up to this video :D

[@debbiefoster556]

Great video!

[@CatalinaPapadia]

I ordered three skeins of white wool and tried. It was a lot of fun, but would I be able to make two skeins of dyed yarn look alike? Not really...I was like an alchemist:a drop of that, a drop of this... there take some yellow, go ahead add some red ... it came out a dark blue metallic green, oh-la -la beautiful. I wish I dyed all three skeins like that. I admire your work very much!!

[@MrSquirrelDog]

From this “Monkey’s Uncle DJ”...Thank you so much for all of this!!!

[@Voolenvine]

😂 You're very welcome!!

[@StrandedDyeworks]

I love you!

[@ileneklayman3440]

I just bought 25 mini skeins from wool2dye4, I have been using food coloring(and vinegar)but I like having fun with it, I have dyed 7 skeins so far, my son (he's 31) and I have been having a blast but I could not imagine doing this for a living. After dying 7 skeins I was spent! The washing is the worst! I am sticking to food dye because I am using my pots and kitchen. I don't know if I ever want to dye yarn for anyone but me. I am a very giving person I am afraid if people that I know that knit find out I'm dying yarn I will end up giving it away or selling it for what I paid for it. I bought Merino worsted super washed mini skeins, I thought that was a good place to start. I would be afraid to dye anything that wasn't super washed. Sorry I write weird, I am from NJ I speak in really quick run on sentences so I write in run on sentences!

[@Voolenvine]

That's so great, Ilene!! I learned to dye yarn using food coloring. You can still create some gorgeous colors and interesting effects. I hear you about superwash. Non-superwash really needs to be handled with kitten gloves 😬 . I'm so glad you and your son are having fun experimenting together! 😄

[@ileneklayman3440]

@@Voolenvine I watched enough videos to know to get super washed yarn! Thank you so much. How is that Dennis sweater coming? I can't wait to see it done. I bet you can't either.

[@ewelulu]

Cake. It's a complete sentence. 🥰

[@Voolenvine]

See what I did there? 🙃

[@gingerporter1473]

I dont dye yarn but great advice

[@Voolenvine]

So glad it resonated with you regardless, Ginger! 😊

[@daphnevega1812]

I have a question around customer satisfaction and expectation, maybe you can share your thoughts. How much variance is acceptable in a skein of yarn? I’ve bought yarn from another dyer and each skein is weighing in at 3g less than what is listed on the band, is this an acceptable range? I am relatively new to knitting and buying yarn and have weighed other sources, all other skeins weighed as labeled. Wondering if I am being too persnickety. :)

[@torunjohansson5583]

Very informative! Thanks for sharing😀!