Found: A New Yarn on the Sock Wall

The other day I found some yarn on the Sock Wall at My Sister Knits, the wall at the top of the stairs, that I’d never noticed before. Appalled that there was yarn in the shop that I knew absolutely nothing about, I decided to investigate! Unsurprisingly, Julie found us a yarn that has a heart-warming story. 

A few of our tonal colorways. From left to right: Giverny; Lovers; Olive, My Love; Lavender London Fog; and Knerdball.

This yarn is from Salty Blonde Fine Fibers, located in Elizabeth, CO. Salty Blonde started life as Knerd String when Renee Magee, founder of Knerdshop.com, started dyeing yarn in 2015 with the name of Knerd String. Renee met Ryan Page Haas at their LYS and they became fast friends. Ryan loved Renee’s sense of humor, her art, and her new business of dyeing yarn.

When Renee asked Ryan to join the business in 2018, she jumped at the offer! Due to her MS health issues and keeping up with orders, Renee needed help with social media, skeining, labeling, and packing orders. She also taught Ryan everything she knew about dyeing yarn and Ryan began helping out in that area, also.

And a few of our variegated colorways! From left to right: Prairie Rose, No Judge of Beauty, Chartrinkle, Birch, Please, and Golden Years.

In early 2022, Renee decided to retire Knerd and asked Ryan if she’d be interested in buying it. Again, Ryan jumped at the chance! Her intent was to keep the Knerd name, adding in a bit of herself while staying true to what Renee had created. As 2022 turned into 2023, Ryan gradually came to the decision that she needed to revamp Knerd. She knew that she would always keep Renee’s colorways but wanted to add to and enhance Knerd. Hence the name ‘Salty’ because “salt is a flavor enhancer but also lively and colorful”. And ‘Blonde’, well, because she’s a blonde!

Ryan says that “Salty Blonde has become two souls synthesized”. 

Socks from Summer Lee’s Shorty Sock Set

The yarn that we have in the shop is Stellina Sock. It’s a fingering weight, 2 ply yarn that comes in 438 yard skeins. The blend is 5% Stellina, 20% Nylon, and 75% Superwash (SW) Merino. The stellina is gold and adds a gorgeous subtle shimmer to the yarn. It’s been treated to make it soft and non-irritating to the skin.

Of course this yarn is magnificent for socks but I can see it making a stunning shawl or shawlette or anything else your imagination might come up with!

We encourage you to come in and discover this yarn for yourself!

Happy knitting,