It’s no secret that we at fibre space™ are addicted to hand-dyes, but it’s a rare occasion that we get to dive into the mind of the artist to find out what makes them tick, and how they come up with the amazing colors that we all go nuts for. For this reason, I jumped at the chance to chat with Melissa Gilje about her company Wool Therapy, our newest hand-dye! She’s a little shy, but was willing to share a few things about herself and her yarns.
Lesley: What made you decide to start dying?
Melissa: Getting started in dyeing was a natural progression for me into the rabbit hole that is the fiber arts. I started about 4 years ago by taking a class at a fiber festival. I also walked away that weekend with a spinning wheel….. who knew?!
Lesley: I can relate! I love my wheel! Though, I think with all hand dyers, I am most curious about where you find the inspiration for your colors?
Melissa: Mostly nature and my surroundings, usually something rather random that catches me eye. My favorite pair of shoes (Fluevog) became the inspiration for the color “Guides”.*
Lesley: It is no wonder that Danielle was drawn to your yarns! We all know how much she loves her Fluevogs. So, how do you come up with color names?
Melissa: Sometimes the name comes before the color, an idea in my head that I have to put on yarn or fiber. Other times it is the opposite and I think, “Wow! That looks like……”. Very, very scientific process really, especially when a toddler helps 🙂
Lesley: I can only imagine! What about the name for your company, how did you come up with it? (I love it, by the way!)
Melissa: Wool and the fiber arts are my Therapy. Be it the retail side, (buy all teh yarn!) or actually knitting, spinning, weaving or dyeing, I find my solace in sniffing the wool.
Lesley: I think you are not alone in that. So, we are all knitters too, right? What is your favorite thing to knit?
Melissa: Sweaters. I am obsessed with having a closet full of sweaters to wear and bins full of sweater quantities of yarn to knit! Although having 3 on the needles all the time doesn’t help to get them done quickly. I really should go knit right now……
Lesley: Me too! I am nearly finished with a sweater myself….
Come on in to fibre space™ to check out Melissa’s yarns! We just received Tranquil, which is a generous 460 yard sock yarn blend of 75% BFL and 25% nylon, as well as Harmony, which is a 230 yards of DK weight squishy 50/50 Silk and Merino blend. I can’t wait to play with all of the amazing color!
Happy knitting! I’m off to finish my sweater…
