About The Dyepot

We are located at 220 Virginia Ave. Timberville, VA 22853

Phone 540-896-1078

I taught myself crochet from an old crochet book and found hook when I was in about the 3rd grade.  Next came knitting gleaned from a Childbook Encyclopedia and 2 pencils for needles.  I was knitting and crocheting vests, afghans, scarves, doilies, Barbie clothes, pocketbooks, slippers and heaven only knows what else.  I was knitting sweaters by 6th grade. 

Later during High School, '70's I was designing sweaters and there is even a picture of me in one of the year books busily working on a sweater in my Jr. year.

During my Senior year, I was on a mission to learn to spin & weave.  I got an Ashford Traditional Wheel, some raw wool and taught myself to spin.  Next, came a Harrisville 22" 4 harness loom.  I taught spinning during the late 70's and dyeing as well.  Casserole dyeing was very popular then as well as working with raw fleeces, and heavy, rustic looking yarns were very vogue. 

 Through the years, I've knit, crocheted, spun and wove.  As I have gotten older I have gravitated more towards dyeing, knitting and spinning and less towards weaving.

During the early 90's I started my own business designing clothing for men & women for the wholesale and retail sectors.    I sold  that business and returned to my first love, that of fibers and yarns.  I also write a monthly knitting column for a local newspaper.

Nowadays, I design sweaters, or other garments, and generally steer clear of raw fleeces in favor of processed tops and rovings.   I love to experiment with dyes and different textiles and fibers and I love to play the "What if..." game!   Nothing excites me more than waking up & knowing that I have pots full of newborn colors to behold!  I even surprise myself with the color combinations at times. 

I'm still a sucker for color and will purchase yarn or fiber based on that alone.  It still amazes me that I would buy a lovely aqua green mohair with sparkles and bits of gold and black,  when I don't even LIKE green much less spinning mohair, but the color simply called to me and I was helpless to resist!   Those of you with fiber addictions know of which I speak.

I'm sure as time goes on,  I'll go in different directions and down different paths yet to be discovered.  In the meantime...I hope you'll enjoy looking at my colorful fiber children and if one should call your name, because of its color or texture, they are all up for adoption and I'm sure you'll provide it a kind and loving home!

May your spinning wheel always spin like a dream,

and your knitting projects go as smooth as cream!

Happy Fibering!

Christina Parham