Today on the YarnThing Podcast with Marly Bird: The Kangaroo Dyer Gail Callahan and color grids!

Gail Callahan, aka the Kangaroo Dyer, does many things.  She started off as a weaver is the 80’s and after her kids went to college Steve Elkin of Webs invited her to work in the shop.  After she started working in the retail store, she brought in a blanket that she and her husband bought at a craft fair.  Gail asked if they carried the yarn in the shop and they did, but it only came in white, no colors.  She wove a few blankets in white and then was talking with Barbara Elkin who suggested that she dye it (and told her she had to learn anyway because she was going to do a demo).  Then, Kathy and Steve asked her to try dying some of the Valley Yarn line at Webs and that is how she really got started dying.

Since then she has written a book about dying yarn called Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece from Storey publishing.  She got to write the book by chance.  A woman came into Webs with her undyed fleece and said she way scared to dye it.  Gail invited her over to her studio and after showing her how to dye, the woman (who was an editor at Storey) suggested she write a book.  Like teaching the editor, Gail is able to really show who easy dying can be.  It doesn’t have to be difficult.

In addition to the book, Gail also recently came out with the Color Grid.  The Color Grid is an extension of the color choosing section of the Hand Dyeing book.  Gail likens the original color wheel concept as an analog clock and the color grid as a digital clock.  The grid seems to make more sense to many people than a color wheel.  The grid works by showing how the family’s of color work together.  Gail has a nice video on the Color Grid website (link below) that explains how you use the grid.  The basic idea is that the colors are laid out in a grid.  The large circle on the template is the main color and the smaller circles around it are in the same family and would go well together.  The bar is several grid squares away and shows a good complimentary color to the main color family.  The Color Grid doesn’t have to be used only for dyeing, it is great for picking out yarn for a project or paint for a painting and many other crafts.

In addition to the books, Gail also teaches at Webs and fiber events around the country.  She also sells her hand-dyed yarn on her website and on Etsy.  Her exclusive Valley Yarn colors are available from Webs.  She also does a yarn club that you should be able to sign up for soon (keep a watch on her website).

Listen in below to hear everything Marly and Gail talked about today!

Important links from today’s show:

• Gail’s website (you can buy yarn and books here), KangarooDyer.com
• The Color Grid website
• Gail’s Etsy shop webpage
• The Kangaroo Dyer Facebook page
• The Kangaroo Dyer yarn on Webs

And we can’t forget the Giveaway!!  As always, leave a comment below with Gail’s keyword for your own chance to win a copy of Gail’s book!

Let’s give some love to our sponsors!
XRX Books, Knitter’s Magazine, STITCHES Expos
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Indian  Lake Artisans
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Bijou Basin Ranch
Buffalo Wool Co.
Green Mountain Spinnery
KnitCrate

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Gail Callahan get started with dyeing yarn?

So here’s the thing… Gail started out as a weaver, and then Webs asked her to try dyeing some of their yarn line. It all kind of happened by chance after she brought in a blanket she’d woven and they only had it in white!

What is the Color Grid, and how is it different from a color wheel?

Honestly… Gail likens the color wheel to an analog clock and her Color Grid to a digital one! It lays out colors in a grid to show how families of color work together, which makes more sense to a lot of people than a traditional color wheel.

Can the Color Grid be used for crafts other than dyeing?

Yes! The Color Grid isn’t just for dyeing yarn. Gail mentions it’s great for picking out yarn for any kind of project, choosing paint colors for a painting, and honestly… lots of other crafts too!

Where can I find Gail Callahan’s book and her hand-dyed yarn?

You can find Gail’s book, “Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece,” and her gorgeous hand-dyed yarns on her website, KangarooDyer.com. Her exclusive Valley Yarn colors are also available from Webs, and she has an Etsy shop too!

Is hand-dyeing yarn really as easy as Gail makes it sound?

It really seems like it! Gail’s whole philosophy is about showing how easy dyeing can be… it doesn’t have to be difficult at all. Many listeners found her story and the Color Grid very inspiring to try it themselves!

Today on the YarnThing Podcast with Marly Bird: Crochet Expert Stacey Trock!

Listen in below to hear Marly and Stacey talk about how Stacey got started, Etsy, her website and so much more!  This was a great show so don’t miss it!

Stacey learned to crochet when she was 10 and immediately started designing and making thing to enter in the local fair.  She kept crocheting throughout college.  Stacey finished graduate school and she and her partner (and future husband) Tim realized that it was very unlikely that they could both be in the same place with their academic degrees.  So while Tim was away for a summer, Stacey decided that she would use her lifelong hobby as her new career.  She made a lion and a koala and the rest is history.  Today, she designs crochet stuffed toys and amigurumi (little stuffed things).  Stacey’s website where she shares her designs is called FreshStitches (links below) and she also still maintains her Etsy shop.

Stacey has done a lot in the insustry including written three books and done two Craftsy classes.  Her first book was Cuddly Crochet: Adorable Toys, Hats and More and focuses awesomely cute animal toys and coordinating accessories for babies.  Her second book was Crocheted Softies which has 18 stuffed animal designs that were made with earth friendly yarns (Julie here, I especially like the owls, they are so cute!).  Her latest book is called Modern Baby Crochet and is full of great modern patterns for baby things that range from blankets to toys to accessories.  Stacey’s Craftsy classes take you through the reading of patterns and making amigurumi animals and monsters (Woodland Animals and Design Your Own Monster).  Stacey has also published in many magazines.

In addition to her classes, Stacey sells kits for her patterns on her website.  The great thing about kits is that you don’t have to buy a whole skein of yarn if you don’t need a lot for the patterns.  There are two types of kits, the Basic Kit and the Starter Kit.  The Basic kit has everything for the pattern except stuffing and is for people who already crochet and have the hooks and notions.  The Starter Kit is special because it comes with absolutely everything you need: a crochet hook, darning needles, and stitch markers in addition to the yarn and pattern.  The only thing you provide is stuffing!  For people who don’t want a kit, Stacey is starting a dog pattern club on the 1st of April.

Important links from today’s show:

• FreshStitches.com, Stacey’s website
• FreshStitches blog
• Stacey’s classes on Craftsy: Amigurumi Woodland Animals and Amigurumi Design Your Own Monster
• Stacey’s Etsy shop
• And the new Craftsy class Marly talked about today, Fair Isle Crochet: Demystifying Colorwork with Karen Whooley

You can also find Stacy on: Ravelry, Facebook, and Twitter.

And we won’t forget the Giveaway!  Leave a comment below with Stacey’s keyword for your chance to win entry into Stacey’s Craftsy class!

Let’s give some love to our sponsors! 
XRX Books, Knitter’s Magazine, STITCHES Expos
Craftsy.com/yarnthing
Indian  Lake Artisans
Fiesta Yarns
Drew Emborsky
Bijou Basin Ranch
Buffalo Wool Co.
Green Mountain Spinnery
KnitCrate

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Stacey Trock start designing crochet toys?

So here’s the thing… Stacey started designing crochet toys when she was just 10 years old and making things to enter in the local fair! She decided to make it her career while her partner was away for a summer, and she made a lion and a koala… and the rest is history!

What kind of amigurumi does Stacey design?

Honestly… Stacey designs all sorts of adorable crochet stuffed toys and amigurumi! She’s created cute animal toys, hats, baby items, and even monsters. Plus, she has Craftsy classes that teach you how to make amigurumi woodland animals and design your own monsters!

What are the different types of kits Stacey offers?

Yes! Stacey offers two types of kits on her website… The Basic Kit has everything for the pattern except stuffing, perfect if you already have hooks and notions. The Starter Kit is extra special because it comes with everything you need, including a crochet hook, darning needles, stitch markers, and yarn… you just need to provide the stuffing!

Where can I find Stacey’s designs and connect with her?

You can find Stacey’s amazing designs on her website, FreshStitches.com, and she also keeps her Etsy shop active! Plus, you can connect with her on Ravelry, Facebook, and Twitter to see what she’s up to!

What are some of Stacey’s published works?

Oh, she’s been busy! Stacey has written three books: Cuddly Crochet, Crocheted Softies, and Modern Baby Crochet. She’s also taught two Craftsy classes and published in lots of different magazines!