Did you know we have an amazing yarn dyer right here in Old Town Alexandria? We’re delighted to welcome Stella Luna Fiber Co. to space!
Former fibre space ™ yarnista (and current instructor) Jackson Roe started hand-dyeing yarn in 2020 as a hobby. Soon, her hobby expanded into a full-time passion for creating captivating colorways under the careful supervision of her golden retriever Stella (shown here checking out Jackson’s self-dyed make of Northern Augustins No. 4).
We caught up with Jackson recently to get her thoughts on dyeing yarn, being an indie artist, and where she gets her color inspiration:
Q: How do you describe what you do?
A: I’d describe yarn dyeing as a creative expression through color, inspired by the things that bring me joy. I often create collections based on places I’ve visited, elements of nostalgia, and the media I love, especially books.
Q: Is it different from what you thought you would do when you grew up?
A: I grew up thinking I’d be Britney Spears (I’m a 90s kid). Then, during undergrad, I imagined becoming a history professor, so it’s safe to say this path is quite different from what I once expected! But yarn dyeing, as both a career and a creative outlet, has turned out to be far more fulfilling than I ever imagined.
Q: How did you find yourself going from a fine arts background to dyeing yarn? Did you feel prepared for the change or did you have to do a lot of learning on the fly?
A: My fine arts background gave me a strong foundation in color theory. Whether you’re working with paint, printmaking inks, pastels, or dye pigments, understanding how colors interact plays a huge role in what happens in the dye pans. The biggest learning curve for me was mastering the technical side of dyeing, i.e., using mordants to ensure color fastness.
Q: What challenges do you face as an independent fibre artist? What advice would you give someone who wants to do what you do?
A: One of the biggest challenges of being an indie dyer is having to wear all the hats. Stella Luna Fiber Co. is truly a one-woman show. I handle everything from marketing and product photography to customer service to product development. For anyone interested in dyeing yarn, my advice is to be prepared: there’s a lot more involved than just playing with dye pigments. At the same time, don’t lose sight of what inspires you, lean into the colors and ideas that bring you joy, rather than just chasing what you think will sell. There’s a market for almost anything. In fact, my best-selling color, “Rainbow Trout,” came from my own love of trout fishing!
Q: We’re excited that you are right here in Old Town! How is creating locally important to you?
A: Being part of a local creative community has always been incredibly important to me. When I started Stella Luna Fiber Co. in Tennessee, the local knitting guild and groups played a huge role in supporting me and helping me find my footing as a budding yarn dyer. I also draw so much inspiration from where I live, Old Town and the DMV in general, are full of character, color, and history, and they constantly spark new creative ideas for me.
We’re thrilled to have our first Stella Luna yarn in the shop, with more coming soon!
BFL Aran
Lustrous and durable, Bluefaced Leicester wool is nearly as soft as Merino, with superior stitch definition and drape. The natural shimmer of the wool makes it ideal for hand dyeing!
Yarn Details
- Aran weight
- 100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool
- 181 yards (165 meters) per 100-gram skein
- 18 stitches = 4″ on US#8 (5mm) needles or US#H-8 (5mm) hook
- Machine or hand wash, dry flat
- $29, in-store only
Our Pattern Picks
Fjord
Sizes
XS–S (S–M, M–L, L–XL)(XL, 2XL, 3XL); finished bust circumference 38½ (41, 43½, 46)(48½, 51, 52¼)”.
Yarn
MC: 3 (4, 4, 4)(4, 5, 5) skeins Stella Luna Fiber Co. BFL Aran (100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool; 181 yards/165 meters per 100-gram skein).
CC: (all sizes) 1 skein Stella Luna Fiber Co. BFL Aran (100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool; 181 yards/165 meters per 100-gram skein).
Flowers (optional): 1 skein Stella Luna Suri Cloud Lace (coming soon!) or other laceweight mohair or alpaca yarn.
Gauge & Suggested Needles
12.5 stitches & 18 rows = 4” on US#11 (8 mm) needles in stockinette stitch, after wet blocking.
Seeking Solace Bandana
Size
One size.
Yarn
MC: 1 skein Stella Luna Fiber Co. BFL Aran (100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool; 181 yards/165 meters per 100-gram skein).
CC: 1 ball De Rerum Natura Cyrano (100% Merino wool; 164 yards/150 meters per 100-gram ball).
Gauge & Suggested Needles
17 stitches = 4” on US#8 (5mm) needles, in garter stitch after wet blocking.
Lakes Cardigan
Sizes
XXS (XS) S (M) L (XL) 2XL (3XL) 4XL (5XL); finished bust circumference 38¼ (41¼) 44¼ (46¼) 49¼ (54¼) 57¼ (61¼) 63¼ (67¼)”.
Yarn
MC: 6 (6) 6 (8) 8 (8) 9 (9) 9 (10) skeins Stella Luna Fiber Co. BFL Aran (100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool; 181 yards/165 meters per 100-gram skein).
CC: 4 (4) 4 (4) 4 (4) 6 (6) 6 (6) skeins Stella Luna Suri Cloud Lace (coming soon!) or other laceweight mohair or alpaca yarn.
Gauge & Suggested Needles
16 stitches & 24 rows = 4” on US#9 (5.5 mm) needles in stockinette stitch, after wet blocking.
Bloom Shawl
Sizes
One size; 66″ x 22″.
Yarn
MC: 3 skeins Stella Luna Fiber Co. BFL Aran (100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool; 181 yards/165 meters per 100-gram skein).
CC: 1 skein Stella Luna Fiber Co. BFL Aran (100% superwash Bluefaced Leicester wool; 181 yards/165 meters per 100-gram skein).
Gauge & Suggested Hook
14 stitches & 14 rows = 4” on US#I-9 (5.5 mm) hook in brioche crochet, after wet blocking.
