I’m so excited to bring you the super talented and awesome fiber artist Amanda Solomon in this meet the maker post!
Can I first just say that I think Amanda is one of the coolest people ever!! She has such a fun and vibrant spirit that is so contagious. That spirit is reflected in every single one of her creations!
I first connected with Amanda in 2018 – we were both a part of Knit Collage’s Finish It February Facebook group! I started following along with her yarn adventures on Instagram and have enjoyed every minute of it!!
Shortly after “meeting” her I started working on my Penguono sweater. She had just finished hers and offered to help me with mine if I had trouble. This is the perfect example of her sweet and genuine personality….By the way, I definitely took her up on that offer when I reached a snag. 😉
I’ve had the opportunity to use her yarn a few times now and I just can’t get enough of it (I even have a new skein that I am dying to work with!!) – It’s bursting with creativity and life and I am always excited to see what she’s going to come up with next!
I love her story and and admire her approach to business and life so much! Let’s get to know fiber artist Amanda Solomon! 🙂
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
Alright! I grew up in Queens, NY and pursued a degree in Animal Science. I’m a farm manager at a farm upstate called Stony Creek Farmstead during the summer and then have various jobs when I’m back home for the winter. I do all of my fiber creating when I’m home – I need a break during the summer haha! I love ice cream and Disney movies! Umm…oh and I love Beyoncé! I’m currently in Cali right now and my friend told me about a tour where they take you in front of her house. I am dying!
How did you get into spinning and dyeing yarn and wool?
My boss at SCF started farming because she fell in love with spinning. I found the wool and took it to the deep end, reaching all I could about the craft. Nicole, of Frost Yarn was posting these beautiful pictures of dyed yarn and wool so I started to follow her. She also posted tutorials for free which I watched like movies! I used those to learn how to dye and take the leap.
Tell us a little bit about the process.
I get the top/roving in and section it off into 1 oz balls. I usually have the theme or color palette mapped out and then start dyeing it for that. Each color is a blend of different dyes. If I’m making batts, there are more things to dye like firestar and nylon. For my yarn, I just need to dye the main color which is great!
How does your connection to the animals you take care of inspire your spinning?
My yarn has a lot of natural fibers in it, I will grab fleece and spin it on to my core as it is. I feel like the bright color is the city side of me and than the natural fibers is the country side of me. I also go through phases, right now all I want to do is buy farm yarn….Which is crazy, I have sheep and my own farm yarn haha!
What are your favorite fibers to work with?
Jacob! Crazy horned black and white sheep. It is one of my favorites to spin into my yarn. Creates amazing texture and color variety. I love mohair too and one of my friends owns Angie goats which is a plus!
Do you have an absolute favorite thing that you’ve spun/made?
Uhh…all my Beyoncé yarn maybe? I love my Beachy cardi that has my nessland batts in it. That was a fun knit! I’ve also realized since I make such bulky yarn, wearing and storing all those knits is a real pain! I make collections so they all have a place in my heart at the end. I’m always excited for the next thing!
What makers most inspire you?
Frost Yarn, Alex Creates, Green Goat Ranch, Knit Collage, Wool For The Dame…the list goes on and on. They are also all of my friends haha!
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to learn how to spin?
Get a little drop spindle and do it. If it isn’t you’re thing, find a wheel and try that. Someone can do and love both, some people are better at one.
Tell us about the workshops you put on and how can people sign up?
Very new thing for me! Actually, have one happening this weekend in Cali! I have created a workshop that shows you how to create my yarn fully. I am always open to questions on my Instagram, but the class gives you my full attention for the given time, plus materials. Totally open to teaching it in other places, I just have to find out places and who wants me to teach!
What are your future plans with your work/business?
Collabs! Working on one now and can’t wait. Also a website and a fiber retreat on my farm in October of 2020. I want to stay small and I want to stay humble. I’m protective of myself and my time. I would love for my business to grow and expand, but not in a way where all I do it pump out yarn and batts.
here’s a quick peek into amanda’s world. press play!
Thanks so much Amanda for telling us more about yourself, your art and your process! We’ve truly enjoyed learning about you! 🙂
Sign up for the yokieB newsletter and find out when new patterns, tutorials and blog posts are published. Plus, get some freebies! Just click the button below!
