A Yarn Show Like No Other
There’s a kind of magic to yarn shows, isn’t there? The thrill of seeing a wall of colour, running your hands over various textures and discovering the perfect skein that feels like it was waiting just for you.
As a dyer, preparing for shows is always a whirlwind of activity. The run-up to shows is a mix of long nights spent over the dye pans and the nervous excitement of a big date on the calendar. It’s exhilarating, exhausting and utterly wonderful all at once.
But this March, I’m doing things differently.
This time, I won’t be dyeing anything new for the upcoming Scottish Wool Producers Showcase. And far from being a loss, this will be one of the most exciting shows I’ve ever done.
A Treasure Trove
Since Unaroo began over three years ago, I’ve dyed a lot of wool. Some of it flew off the shelves,. Other pieces never launched; instead, they waited in the wings, never quite finding the right moment. There are also those that remain here—the last of their kind, with no plans for future dyeing.
That's a Lot of Wool
As I write this blog, I have five huge (the biggest is 102l!) storage boxes filled with these skeins. That’s five crates of colour, squish and possibility, each waiting for their moment.
Rather than rushing to create a new collection, I’m taking a different approach. I’ve carefully curated a selection from my existing yarn, creating a collection that reflects my dyeing journey. On the 22nd of March, at my stall, you’ll find:
- The return of some of Unaroo’s greatest hits from past collections. If you missed them before, this is your chance.
- A selection of unreleased colourways that never made their official debut.
- The final skeins from previous collections; the ultimate limited edition skeins.
- And, of course, I have a selection of the Birds of Britain coming too.
A More Sustainable Way to Show Up
Making crafting kinder to the planet is at the heart of Unaroo Designs. British wool is an incredible resource—warm, strong and biodegradable, among other traits. I work only with British wool because I believe in its value. The idea of dyeing more yarn when I already have so much beautiful wool waiting felt, quite simply, wasteful.
Quality Over Quantity
An earth-friendly approach to knitting and crochet is not just about choosing good materials. It also includes making thoughtful decisions. While I’m bursting with ideas for future collections, I’ve decided to let them wait for the right time.
So, instead of adding to the production cycle, I want to showcase the beauty that already exists. I’m not only reducing waste; I’m also giving each skein the chance to find its perfect home. Every yarn has a story, and rather than rushing to create more, I want to celebrate what’s already here.
The Work Behind the Scenes
Beyond sustainability, there’s another truth: dyeing yarn for a show is intense.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to prepare for a yarn show, let me paint a picture. In the past, it involved days of dyeing, often late into the night. I would wake up at the crack of dawn—you know it’s early when the cats are still asleep—to set pans bubbling. Then, I’d stay up until the early hours soaking, dyeing, winding, and labelling skeins. I even took time off my full-time job to make it all work.
I’m not sharing this for pity; it’s my choice, and I do it out of love for the craft, but it is a lot of work.
Doing Things Differently
This time, I have the opportunity to approach things differently. I’ll arrive in Perth for the Scottish Wool Producers Showcase feeling excited, not burnt out. More importantly, I will come with a car full of something special.
A Different Show Experience
And this is not just about sustainability or the workload. It’s about you. This March, you can expect:
- Colourways that may never be dyed again
- Access to skeins that no one else has in their stash
- The chance to explore a collection built from three years of creativity.
This is the kind of experience that I find makes a yarn show so special. It’s the thrill of discovering that one unexpected skein you didn’t even know you were looking for but can’t leave without.
Is This the Future?
This isn’t a permanent shift—future shows might look different! In fact, I already have something special brewing for later this year, ready to shine bright when the time is right.
The Scottish Wool Producers Showcase
For this event, I want to embrace the joy of rediscovery. To give these skeins the spotlight they deserve and to step away from the burnout of last-minute dyeing in favour of something more thoughtful and meaningful.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this approach. Let me know in the comments.
And if you’re coming to the show [get your tickets here], I’ll see you there, ready to share some of my favourite yarn with you.