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Friday Favourites: Leading Men Fiber Arts

Jim Arnall-Culliford November 20, 2015

This week we hear from Andy and Steve, the duo behind Leading Men Fiber Arts. Their tagline is "Centerstage for Color," and a visit to their website really lives up to that billing.

What is your favourite colour?

Steve: Green   Andy: Orange

What is your current favourite yarn/fibre? 

Right now, I'm in love with our Show Stealer (MCN) and Soliloquy (Superwash BFL) bases.

Gradient in Soliloquy - Cherry Pie to London Fog

What is your favourite season?

Fall. We love the cooler weather and the turning of the leaves. Not to mention, autumn is known for breaking out the hand knits and attending awesome fiber festivals.

This Turkey Run colourway perfectly encapsulates seasonal colours

What is/was your current favourite knitting/crochet project?

I love knitting basic garter stitch boomerang shaped shawls. They are my happy place.

Kaleidoscope - same colourway, different bases

Kaleidoscope - same colourway, different bases

Where do you feel most inspired or get most inspiration?

Color inspiration comes from anything and everything you can imagine. We've pulled from plays and musicals, of course, but we also use nature, pop culture, and literature. But a lot of it comes from experimentation not only with the dyes, but with the dye process. That's when we get a little "mad scientist" in the studio.

The mad scientist approach leads to unique yarns such as this Cup of Joe sock blank

The mad scientist approach leads to unique yarns such as this Cup of Joe sock blank

Quick fire questions! What is your favourite:

Book? Steve: Devil in the White City      Andy: Dresden Files

Quote? Andy: Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid. Goethe    Steve: Two roads diverged in the woods, and I - I took the one less traveled by. Robert Frost    

Cake? Steve: More of a pastry person   Andy: All of them!

Cheese? Steve: Munster   Andy: Colby/Jack

Steve and Andy: the leading men

Steve and Andy: the leading men

All photos ©Leading Men Fiber Arts

In Friday Favourites Tags sock Knitting, yarn, yarn producer, yarn dyer
1 Comment
John at work in the mill

John at work in the mill

Friday Favourites: John Arbon

Jim Arnall-Culliford November 13, 2015

John Arbon Textiles and Fibre Harvest are sister companies based in North Devon. Fibre Harvest uses traditional worsted machinery to process and spin fine quality British yarns for hand knitting. The same sock yarns are used to knit their range of high quality socks. This week, John shares his inspirations.

What is your favourite colour?

Blue

What is your current favourite yarn/fibre?

Harvest Hues ... a beautiful of organically farmed Falklands Merino (dyed) with natural brown Devon Zwartbles – a beautiful bouncy autumnal yarn

Skeins before twiddling on the skein winder

Skeins before twiddling on the skein winder

What is your favourite season?

Autumn

What is your current favourite knitting project?

I do not actually hand knit, but Frankie who works for us is currently stupidly excited at the thought of knitting the Carlu jumper by Kiyomi Burgin in the latest issue of the Pom Pom Quarterly.

The skein winder in action

The skein winder in action

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?

My lovely wife Juliet.

Where do you feel most inspired or get most inspiration?

In my allotment.

The finished skeins

The finished skeins

Quick fire questions! What is your favourite:

Book? The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat by Oliver Sacks

Film? Dark Star

Quote? Do what thy wilt is the whole of the law. Love is the law under thy own will.  by Aleister Crowley

Cocktail/drink? Stag (local Devon ale) or a Mojito

Cake? Bakewell Tart

Cheese? Cheddar

Yarn - in hanks 1.jpg
YARN - Exmoor Sock yarn.jpg

If you're in Bath for the Christmas Market (26th November-13th December), you will be able to see John's yarns, tops and socks in the wild.

All photos ©John Arbon Textiles

 

In Friday Favourites Tags sock knitting, yarn producer, yarn spinner
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