Best hand dyed yarns

No knitter or crocheter's stash is complete without some gorgeous hand-dyed yarn!

Many people will choose hand-dyed yarn based on the types of dye or fibre types used, but the best thing about hand-dyed yarn is that you're getting a truly unique product to use with your knitting or crochet. You can get lots of hand dyed yarn in solid shades, and the variegated yarns really show off the unique results that come from hand-dying.

It's really important to check the washing instructions with hand-dyed yarn as many will be hand-wash only, and remember that each yarn is unique so colours and shades will vary. We've picked our favourite hand-dyed yarn producers for you to check out, so prepare to add to that stash!

Any excuse for new yarn!

If you're not sure what to make with your new-found hand-dyed yarn, take a look at our free crochet patterns to find your next project!

Best hand dyed yarns to buy online

Manos Del Uruguay

We're big fans of Manos Del Uruguay, not just because they produce beautiful yarns, but also because their yarn has fair trade at heart!

Manos del Uruguay is a non-profit and fair trade organisation that was founded in 1968 to help give Uruguay's rural women jobs, income and independence using their traditional handicrafts skills. Each yarn has a tag containing the artisan signature and the name of the village where it was produced, and all of the yarn is hand dyed, produced in Uruguay, and comes in a wide range of yarn weights, fibres and colours!

We can't recommend this yarn company enough!

• Check out the Manos del Uruguay range on LaughingHens.com

Fruitful fusion yarn

If you're looking for some hand-dyed yarn in a huge variety of colours, from subtle shades to bright variegated yarns, then you should definitely check out Fruitful Fusion.

All of their yarns are hand dyed by Ishrat, who first learn to hand dye yarn when she was living in North Africa and now dyes all of her yarn from her dye shed in Nottingham.

As well as producing fabulous yarns, Ishrat also collaborates with other dyers, clubs, fundraisers, events and yarn shows - so she's definitely one to keep an eye on!

• Buy now at fruitfulfushion.co.uk

Hedgehog Fibres

Wherever you're based, if you love using variegated hand-dyed yarns, then you've got to check out Hedgehog Fibres! What started out as a one-woman business hand-dying yarn in her kitchen in Ireland has gone on to become one of the most popular indie-dyers in the worldwide knitting and crochet community.

Specialising in bold bright colour combo's with plenty of fab speckled effects, their yarns are really one for the colour lovers, with each range coming in a wide and ever-changing choice of colours.

• You can buy Hedgehog Fibres yarn from LaughingHens.com

Fibre Art Studio

Yoriko from FibreArtStudio based in Canada creates magical-looking hand-dyed yarns that are out of this world!

Her hand-dyed yarns come in a range of fibre types, from mohair to silk and of course merino, and her colours are incredible - we especially love her sparkly galaxy collection!

• Find your favourite Fibre Art Studio yarn on Etsy

The Yarn Collective

If you're looking for hand-dyed yarns in a range of expertly selected colours, then you should definitely check out The Yarn Collective. They work closely with independent designers to create fresh and inspiring colourways, as well as exclusive pattern collections to compliment their yarns.

There's also an added incentive to try this gorgeous yarn, as a donation from sales are made to Women for Women International, a charity supporting women survivors of war to rebuild their lives.

• Take a look at the The Yarn Collective range on Lovecrafts

Irish Artisan Yarn

The hand-dyed yarns by Irish Artisan Yarn are perfect for if you're wanting a special yarn for your project that has that little extra bit of luxury.

These gorgeous yarns are available in a range of elegant shades as well as some interesting fibre combinations, such as their Yak 4ply yarn which combines yak, silk and merino fibres to create a super-soft luxurious yarn!

• See the whole range on irish-artisan-yarn.com

Urth yarns

For some fabulous hand-dyed merino wool or cotton yarns, you can't go wrong with the beautiful skeins by Urth yarns. All of their yarns are dyed by hand, with some such as their Harvest collection made using natural dues from roots, fruits and nuts.

There's an added bonus to choosing Urth yarns – for every skein of yarn you buy, Urth yarn plants a tree!

• Take a look at Urth Yarns on LaughingHens.com

Rushlade Wool

The beautiful 100% wool yarn from Rushlade Wool is all made from sheep sheared on their own farm in Devon, spun locally and hand-dyed on the farm too!

It's a great choice if you're concerned about the traceability from sheep to skein, and as well as all of their yarn being hand-dyed they also offer some stunning shades made from natural plant dyes such as onion skins, sloe berries and purple sprouting broccoli!

• Buy direct from rushladewool.co.uk

Malabrigo yarns

If you're looking for a luxury hand-dyed yarn at a reasonable price, then check out Malabrigo yarns.

All of their yarns are hand-dyed in small batches using the kettle dye process, so you know you're getting a unique yarn. Originally produced from their base in Peru, their yarns are available all over the world and are popular among both knitters and crocheters.

• You'll find loads of Malibrigo Yarns on Lovecrafts

RiverKnits

For those who are new to RiverKnits yarn, be prepared to be spoilt for choice!

This UK sourced and hand-dyed yarn is available in a HUGE range of different types - whether you're after marled, heathered, variegated, solid or semi solid yarns - in rainbow brights, pretty pastels or natural dye shades - RiverKnits have a yarn that is perfect for everyone!

• Treat yourself over at riverknits.uk

For the love of yarn

Lisa from For The Love Of Yarn is a regular at yarn shows (virtual and in person), which is where we first came across her stunning hand-dyed yarn.

She creates some beautiful solid shades of yarn, but it's her variegated yarn that really sets her yarn apart in our opinion! All dyed in her studio in Scotland, as well as individual skeins you can also get yarn kits, yarn bundles, special charity fundraiser yarns and even yarn club subscriptions, where you can get yarn sent to your door every month - we can't think of anything better!

• Available to buy direct from fortheloveofyarn.co.uk

Even more yarn inspiration

Check out our list of the best British yarn producers, or grab a bargain with our pick of the best yarn packs and yarn bundles.

Unique Yarns Co

So far we've already shown you lots of unique yarns, but here's a yarn producer that is firmly owning that category! Unique Yarns Co create a range of different and innovative yarns including some you definitely won't have seen before!

Many of their yarns are hand-dyed, such as their multicoloured recycled tape yarn, hand-dyed paper yarn and wool yarn dyed using natural dyes derived from mineral rich rocks! While you're looking, make sure you check out their incredible glow in the dark and colour changing yarns too!

• Get your Unique yarns on Etsy

Fyberspates yarn

Here's another hand-dyed yarn brand that is incredibly popular with knitters and crocheters alike.

Fyberspates create some lovely hand-dyed yarns, from wool and silk blends to pure Merino yarns. The majority of their yarns are available in solid colours, with a few variegated options that offer subtle and complimentary colour combinations.

• Find Fyberspates yarn on Lovecrafts

Cotswold Alpacas

Alpaca yarn has seen a huge surge in popularity in recent years, and it's no wonder as it's super-soft and hypoallergenic. If you fancy giving some a try, then we'd recommend checking out Cotswold Alpacas!

All of their yarn is sheared themselves from their herd of 45 Alpacas on their farm in the Cotswolds, and after being spun in Wales they then hand-dye their yarn using natural plant dyes.

• Find Cotswold Alpacas yarn on Etsy

Kaleidoscope City

Here's another hand-dyer that creates stunning variegated yarn!

Kaleidoscope City make a range of interesting hand dyed yarn colour combo's, from deep rich colour changes to natural bases with stand-out speckles and splashes - you're sure to find a unique yarn for your funky knitting and crochet projects!

• Check out the Kaleidoscope City Shop on Etsy

Sheep on Mars

From variegated sock yarns, vegan shiny silk yarn to chunky thick & thin yarn, you'll find plenty of hand-dyed yarn to choose from SheepOnMars.

Many of the yarns are hand-dyed by Natasha in Nottingham, but you can also find lots of other fibre products such as glitter yarn and rustic wool available on her Etsy store too!

• Take a look at the Sheep on Mars store on Etsy

McIntosh Yarns

If you're a knitter, then you may already be familiar with the name James McIntosh. Knitting designer, speaker, presenter, food writer and author of the 'Knit and Nibble' book, James is a legend in the knitting world, and even has his own award-winning yarn brand!

All of the McIntosh yarns are individually hand-dyed, giving them their own unique charm and 'visual texture'. All of the Bluefaced Leicester wool used in their yarns is accredited as being 100% British Wool, and each hand-dyed yarn comes with a special sew on label indicating the washing instructions.

• Explore the McIntosh yarn range on Lovecrafts

Elizabeth Pawle Yarns

We just had to fit in one more yarn dyer that is as obsessed with neon brights and dreamy colour combo yarns as much as we are.

Elizabeth Pawle creates gorgeous eye-catching yarn that is perfect for colour-lovers! And it's not just her yarn that we love, she's also one of our favourite abstract embroidery artists, check out her work at elizabethpawle.com

• Check out the yarns at elizabethpawle.com

Feeling creative?

Why not try making your own yarn with some clever upcycling? Find out more with our tutorials on how to make t-shirt yarn and how to make plarn plastic bag yarn!

Colour your way with hand-dyed yarns

Hand-dyed yarns are great for adding your own style to a project, whether that's by adding the mottled stonewashed look of solid tones or going wild with variegated yarn shades. You can also get creative with stripes of different hand-dyed yarns, or even working two at the same time to create really unique colour effects.

Make your favourite yarn match

Now that we've shown you plenty of fab hand-dyed yarns, you'll want to get making – but what about if you want to use your special hand-dyed yarn for a particular pattern? Don't worry, you can learn all about how to substitute yarns with Gathered.