TAKING INSPIRATION
from the landscapes of
Ireland, Tara Osborough
uses hand-painting
techniques to create the
colourways for her brand,
Irish Artisan Yarn. She
uses luxurious yarn bases including baby
alpaca and silk, and her range is filled with
sophisticated colours. We chatted with
Tara about how she became a hand-dyer.When did you first try dyeing yarn?
“I started when I was studying weaving
at the University of the Creative Arts in
Farnham. I was always experimenting
with how certain dyes reacted to different
yarn qualities. The first colourway I ever
created was reminiscent of the sea in
Donegal, with multiple shades of pink,
green, blue and yellow.”What fibres do you like to work with?
“I particularly like wool mixes, alpaca,
silk, and bamboo.”What dyeing processes do you use?
“I tend to hand-paint my yarns, and
mix all my colours by eye. I don’t follow
‘recipes’, and I enjoy seeing the colours
evolve. Every year I research ways to set
the dye, as it is a time-consuming process.”What’s your favourite colourway from
your current range?
“Ballyholme - it was inspired by a sunset
photograph taken at the beach by our
family home. My Dad is in the photo;
he has Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and for
every skein of Ballyholme sold I give a
percentage to the Lymphoma Association.”What would you say are the particular
highlights and challenges involved in
running an indie dyeing business?
“The highlight for me is meeting my
customers, and hearing their stories and
how working on yarn projects has helped
them with so many different challenges.
My yarns are named after landscapes in
Ireland, so it makes for some wonderful
conversations as people share their stories.
“The challenges are the overheads
involved, particularly at this difficult timewhen all the yarn shows have been
cancelled. I am having to rethink our
marketing plans and find routes to market
that don’t involve shows. I have been
fortunate to have been supported by my
loyal customers and shops - it’s something
I never take for granted.”Do you have a favourite artist, writer,
poet or musician who inspires you?
Or are there particular landscapes that
inspire your work?
“John Kingerlee, an Irish artist, has always
inspired me. My cousin wrote a book about
him, and I treasure it. Kingerlee’s paintings
are so abstract, but his use of pattern,
textures and colours are a definite
inspiration. Inspiring landscapes have to
be Irish ones. The colours are so vibrant,
even on a grey day. The people are such
a joy to be around, and always seem to
have a glass-half-full approach to life.
It’s something I try hard to be like in
my day-to-day work.”What has been your proudest achievement?
“A few years ago I was awarded the
Sanderson Colour Award at the New
Designers Awards for my hand-woven,
hand-dyed textiles. I went on to work for
Sanderson, and having that experience
working in a creative industry gave me so
much insight into running a business.”What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been
given by another dyer?
“I find our community to be hugely
encouraging. From the outset people told
me to stick to my colours, and not to be
swayed by trends.”http://www.irish-artisan-yarn.comThe founder of Irish Artisan Yarn, Tara
creates a range of hand-painted delights
1 Tara’s colourways are typically sophisticated
and delicate 2 She sells knitting and crochet kits
on her website 3 Tara hand-paints her yarns
in small batches 4 She works with fibre bases
including baby alpaca, silk, bamboo and merino4
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HAND DYERS
Tara O sborough
‘Valentia Island’ was
inspired by an island
in County KerryInterview
The Knitter Issue 154