Skein Queen

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Skein Queen

Skein Queen is a small artisan yarn dyeing business established in 2007 and owned by Rachel Moutrie since 2019. To find out when, why not join her mailing list.

Skein Queen dyeworks
Artisan hand-dyer of luxury yarn
www.skeinqueenyarns.co.uk
Selling online and at shows or by appointment at our studio
Wholesale also available - contact me for details Skein Queen has a working studio/dyeworks at World's End near Newbury in Berkshire - visitors are welcome strictly by appointment, as we may be away at a show. If you're not in the local area, Skein Queen updates her online shop with hand-dyed yarn every few weeks. https://www.subscribepage.com/sqsignup

16/06/2026

With Cumbrian Wool Gathering just a few days away, now is a good time to think about what you are looking for at the show. A bit of planning before you go really helps you make the most of the day!

I have a free downloadable show planner to help. It includes spaces to note down yarn details from patterns you're planning to cast on, a shopping list for needles and other bits, and somewhere to jot down yarn you spot on the day.

Grab your free copy here: https://pages.skeinqueen.co.uk/ShowPlanner

Are you coming to Cumbrian Wool Gathering this weekend? I'd love to see you there! 🐑

15/06/2026

This or that? 🧶 Shows or online shopping?

There's something magical about touching the yarn before you buy, but online shopping in your pyjamas has its own appeal... I love both but I'm sure you can guess which one wins for me! What about you? Let me know in the comments!

14/06/2026

Did you know all of my show colourways this year are inspired by authors connected to the area of each show? 📚

For Cumbrian Wool Gathering it had to be Beatrix Potter, did you see yesterday's post?

So far this year there's been Oi Frog! inspired by the much loved children's book by Kes Gray; Cider with Rosie, inspired by Laurie Lee's classic memoir; and Dark Parties, inspired by the dark YA novel by Sara Grant.

Oi Frog!, Cider with Rosie and Dark Parties are all still available in the shop if you'd like to add them to your collection before they're gone.

I love having a story behind each colourway, do you have a favourite book that you think would make a beautiful yarn? I'd love to know! 📖

13/06/2026

Can you guess what this colourway is called? 👀

I've just been dyeing my special colourway for Cumbrian Wool Gathering and I am so pleased with how it's coming out. It's blue, with soft beige patches and speckles of green and red...

All of my show colourways this year are inspired by authors connected to the area of each show, and this one couldn't be more perfect for Cumbria. The name is Peter Rabbit, inspired of course by Beatrix Potter who lived and farmed in the Lake District for much of her life.

The blue is Peter's famous jacket, the beige is Peter himself, and the green and red speckles? Mr McGregor's garden of course! 🥕

Peter Rabbit will be available at Cumbrian Wool Gathering first, then online afterwards if there is any left. See you there! 🐰

12/06/2026

One week to go until Cumbrian Wool Gathering! 🐑

I absolutely love this show and I can't wait to see you there on 20th & 21st June.

I'll be bringing lots of lovely yarn with me 🧶 Crush, Selkino, Enchant, Lustrous Lace, Mineralogy and a little Floof, plus something a bit special, some non-repeatable skeins of Wriggle, my 100% merino singles yarn. Once they're gone, they're gone!

I'll also have my new shawl pattern One for Me available in both DK and 4ply versions, hot off the needles.

Are you coming? I'd love to see you! 🧶

11/06/2026

Throwback Thursday!

This time last year the yarn wasn't the only woolly thing there... 🐑

I wonder what there'll be this year? See you there on 20th & 21st June, I can't wait 😀

Are you planning on visiting?

10/06/2026

One for Me is here! 🧶

My new shawl pattern is now available and I couldn't be happier with how it's come out. Knitted in Enchant DK, it's designed for any single skein of DK yarn - perfect for that special skein you've been saving.
And as a bonus, a fi*****ng weight version is coming very soon, so you'll be getting two patterns for the price of one!
Have you got a skein in your stash that needs a project?

09/06/2026

Always dry your hand knits flat after washing. Hanging them up while wet puts stress on the fibres and can stretch your finished piece out of shape. Roll it in a towel first to remove the excess water, then lay it flat to dry.
This applies to all your knits, but is especially important with non-superwash yarn!

08/06/2026

Hand wash, washing machine, or it depends? 🧶

I know plenty of knitters who swear by each of these, I'm a it depends.

Where do you land? Let me know in the comments!

07/06/2026

Not everyone wants nylon in their yarn, so what makes a good sock yarn if you're avoiding it?

Socks need durability, and there are a few properties that help with that: long staple wool fibres, an added fibre like silk or mohair for strength, and/or a high twist. Knitting at a slightly tighter gauge than you might usually use also makes a big difference to how well your socks wear.

Two of my bases work really well as nylon free alternatives:

Bloom is 100% Bluefaced Leicester - a long wool breed with naturally long, strong fibres that give it great durability without any added nylon. It has a lovely smooth handle and beautiful stitch definition too.

Slinky Twist is 80% merino and 20% silk, and is a high twist yarn. The silk replaces the nylon, adding strength and a beautiful subtle sheen, and the high twist gives it extra resilience. It's a really special sock yarn.

Have you tried knitting socks without nylon in them? How did you get on?

Address

Unit 6, Langley Business Court, Worlds End, Beedon
Newbury
RG208RY

Telephone

+447720257107

Website

https://www.skeinqueenyarns.co.uk/, http://skeinqueen.co.uk/, http://patterns.skeinqueen.co.uk/

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