This is a very special edition of Just Landed for space this week! We are so excited to introduce you to Serotonin Fibers.
Serotonin Fibers is the product of our very own Maiah Davis. Maiah should be familiar as our long-time manager, recently moving on to new projects. An accomplished spinner (and instructor!), Maiah’s line of yarn is a handspun dream that we are so excited to host.
Maiah has some words to share with us about her process and her journey:
“I started spinning for the first time in 2009, at a small yarn shop in a strip mall in Centreville. Gorgeous spinning wheels lined the aisles and walls there, though I barely had a hold on knitting and crochet-I was so drawn to the wheels and how they worked. In the evenings when it was quiet, I begged my coworkers to teach me how to spin. There was no other option after I got it in my head-I had to spin. I was voracious for knowledge and experience and swiftly grew through my first awkward spins on a drop spindle and frustrating moments learning at a treadle wheel. Very soon this traditional craft became second nature, it felt like something my hands were always meant to be doing.
As the years went on I never stopped spinning. My Ashford Traveller wheel was dragged all over Virginia and Tennessee through multiple moves, houses, apartments and one farm-I refused to be seperated from a machine that had become part of me and my daily routine.”
By 2014 I was spinning so voraciously that the amount of skeins I was creating far outpaced my ability to knit or crochet or gift all of them away. After constant-near daily encouragement from my best friend-I timidly opened up an Etsy shop and tried vending at the occasional farmers market. I figured maybe someone might buy a skein here and there to help me out with my stash of handspun. What I never anticipated was finding people who love what I create. Ten years after being encouraged to share my creations- I am still amazed and stunned whenever someone buys a skein, falls in love and makes something beautiful. Each skein is its own work of art that passes through my hands 4 times. I spend about 4 to 6 hours with each skein-not including the time I take to process fiber and combine colors from hand dyed roving.
I decided on the name Serotonin Fibers on a whim “because yarn makes us happy!” Since first naming my company, I have learned that we have serotonin flowing through our whole bodies enabling our brains and bowels to function; without this amazing hormone humans could not live. Much like how hand spun yarn throughout history has clothed, protected and saved humanity. The longer I spin and teach others how to spin the more it feels the name Serotonin Fibers suits me and the art I share with the world.
Each skein is unique, and handspun yarn is a beautiful experience to work with. The ultimate in the personal touch, handspun yarns have a natural variation in texture and color that gives any project something a little special.
Some fun facts about Maiah’s process and the yarns we have:
- All fiber is sourced responsibly from small farmers, hand dyers, and US-based suppliers.
- No man-manufactured fibers like nylon.
- Each skein spun by hand in Fairfax using traditional tools.
- Favorite fibers to use are Rambouillet, Targhee and Polwarth.
- Spun using a Schacht Ladybug or Kromski Symphony wheel.
We’re using these yarns on some current projects, and we have lots of suggestions for playing with handspun:
Agnes Sweater Vest
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Adjustable! This pattern is modular, so you can make it fit how you like
YARN
DK weight- we recommend pairing with Wooldreamers, De Rerum Natura Gilliat, and Manos Maxima
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
4.5mm (US 7) crochet hook and 4.5mm (US 7) 16″ and 29″-36″ circular knitting needle
Heirloom Cardigan
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
The pattern will guide you through the process of selecting which size will work for your preferred level of ease and perfect fit.
The finished garment circumferences are a 50” (70”) and 78 3/4” bust
YARN
DK weight- we recommend pairing with
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
- US 7 – 4.5 mm
- US 6 – 4.0 mm
- US 4 – 3.5 mm
The Traveler Cowl
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Toddler (Youth, Adult Small, Adult Large)
FINISHED GOAL MEASUREMENTS
Circumference – 18 (21, 24, 26)”
Back Neck Depth – 5.25 (7.25, 9.5, 9.5)”
YARN
DK Weight Wool Yarn
Total approximate yardage per size: 165 (265, 400, 430) yds
Exact yardage will depend on size, gauge and yarn use
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 6- 24” circular recommended
(Use the needle size you need to achieve gauge. Cord length is not overly important, as you won’t be joining to work in the round.)
Easy Handspun Shawl
YARN
HOOKS & NOTIONS
H Hook
Landscape Tee
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Sizes: XS (S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
Finished Bust: 33.5 (37.75, 42.25, 46.5, 51, 55.25, 59.75, 64, 68.25)”
YARN
DK Weight Wool Yarn
Color A: 260 (290, 340, 400, 430, 490, 530, 590, 630) yards
Color B: 300 (345, 405, 470, 515, 585, 630, 705, 755) yards
HOOKS & NOTIONS
US J
