We’re so excited to be carrying Baah! LaJolla at Doodlebug Yarns. This beautiful yarn is hand dyed by Mira Cole in Southern California. Baah! has a lovely color palette ranging from subtle to vibrant and the base is a high twist merino that really highlights stitches like lace or cables. Perfect for socks, shawls and fine gauge sweaters. I recently had a chance to talk with Mira about Baah! and what inspires her.
| Gayla: How did you get started dyeing yarn and creating patterns?Mira: My background is in graphic design and I have taught both watercolor and oil painting in Jakarta for a number of years. I was fascinated by the idea of using the same layering techniques I had used for my paintings, on yarn. I sold my first skein at my LYS. After receiving so much encouragement, I turned my hobby into a business.
Gayla: That must be why each of your skeins looks like a work of art! What is the inspiration behind the colors? Mira: I steal them! I look for the perfection of colors in nature. Nature always seems to find a way to layer its colors. A blue flower is never just a blue flower; you will find yellows and burgundies within it that give it a depth of color and bring the flower to life. I am excited about the idea about bringing that same life to my yarn. Gayla: What is your favorite color so far? Mira: I have always liked red. I love it in food, I love it in flowers, and I LOVE it in yarn. Red conveys a message of love, happiness and confidence. Red is bold and striking. Gayla: The Burmese Ruby is a gorgeous red. The yarn base is wonderful. Can you tell us about it? Mira: My yarn base is a 2 ply, 100% superwash merino with a high twist. Merino wool has superior shine and legendary softness. It is fine, strong, naturally elastic, holds dye well and its softness resembles the hand of cashmere. The high twist of the yarn and its natural crimp minimizes pilling. It doesn’t seem possible that nature could provide such a divine product. Gayla: What are the best parts of your job and the things you don’t enjoy as much? Mira: The best part of my job is the opportunity to meet so many knitters from around the world and sharing the same passion. The worst part of my job is paperwork and accounting. How can one expect a creative person to enjoy all this administrative work? I thank my wonderful husband, who helps me through it all. Gayla: That’s something I can really relate to! In addition to dying yarn, Mira also designs patterns. She has been kind enough to offer her Flowing Ribbons Shawlette pattern free to Doodlebug customers with any purchase of Baah! The PDF will be emailed to you but if you prefer to have a printed copy of the pattern sent to you with your purchase, just let us know.
I’m going to be making an Abigail Cardi next month as part of a knit a long that Mira will be hosting on the Baah! Ravelry Group. Feel free to join us! |
I’m a HUGE fan of Mira Cole and Baah! yarn! Her colors really are gorgeous! It was great to learn a few new things about her. Thank you for the interview!