Deborah Rutson

Further information

The Yarny Octopus began its life in the wonderful world of Yarn dying in the small market town of Saffron Walden, Essex. Below is a quick summary of how my husband and I ended up in the wilds of Cornwall and a little of my journey that took me there. At 49 I was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. It had been with me since my 20s and I had no idea, although I guess falling over and the numbness in my legs and hands should have been a bit of a giveaway. My GP suggested I take up knitting to keep my mind and hands working. I had no idea that this would be the beginning of something so important to me. Whilst living in Saffron Walden, Essex, I discovered a fantastic craft shop. I plucked up my courage, went in and bought needles, some yarn and a pattern to make a poncho. Easy, right? I’d done this before with my mum. I still remembered how to cast on – but after that, nothing. I ended up making a knotty mess! So back to the craft shop I ventured, determined to learn – and that, as they say, was that. I discovered meet-and-make open mornings and a wonderful network of talented people – and, of course, yarn! My journey had begun. In my first year I made 50 hats, I couldn’t stop! I then decided I wanted to make socks. So socks it was, and many hundreds of pairs of socks have been knitted since. As time went on I was keen to learn and to find out how the magic of hand-dyeing yarn was done. So a couple of us in the knitting group got together and organised a day tutorial to learn the basics. We were taught with a starter set of acid dyes, a couple of skeins and good old Kool Aid! I soon realised I needed to have eight arms to get all my projects done. That was the start of The Yarny Octopus ! With a strong connection to the wilds of Cornwall due to my husband growing up there we finally took the plunge and moved south in early 2019. Deciding to pursue The Yarny Octopus as a small indie dye brand has worked perfectly with my MS. We’ve converted part of the house into a dye studio – a decision taken during lockdown. I had to shield, so my husband stayed home too. We started to learn the different techniques together and we both loved it. On days when I’m not well enough he takes the lead. I can rest when I need to and work when I’m well. It’s on my terms. During lockdown we also started the 'Socks for Paramedics' initiative. We asked knitters to donate a pair of hand-knitted socks which we then posted on to ambulance stations up and down the country. We received and sent over 300 pairs. An amazing result! The rugged landscape and coastline of the wild west of Cornwall is where the inspiration now comes from. The flora and fauna, sunrises and sunsets, storms and calm seas all contribute to the Yarny colourways. We’re so lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the UK. As a standard we use professional acid dyes to create our range of colourways, we've recently started to explore the amazing world of natural dying. Something that is so different from Acid dyes it will make an amazing addition to our range of yarns. We've already started supplying a local shop with our naturally dyed colour ways. Our yarns are mainly sourced from companies within the UK, although some are purchased from abroad. We’re slowly beginning to create a range of fibres for spinners and weavers. It’s early days, but we’re mixing up colour ways for the forth coming shows! Commissions are also undertaken. Yarny Octopus has worked with a number of yarn shops both local and further a field dying exclusive colour way collections for them. We love it when we're in our dye studio, the undyed skeins all ready from a warm soak – dyes all mixed up, references of coastal landscapes in front of us. It’s a blank canvas at first, then the magic starts and it’s where we get to have the most fun. You never know how it will turn out with all the different yarn bases taking on the colours of the Wild West! Knitting really has given me (Debbie) so much pleasure and enjoyment over these last few years – and yes, you guessed it –lots and lots of socks. Not being able to wear most shoes because of my MS, the gorgeous sock yarns that are dyed here at Yarny HQ are a treat for my feet. I constantly have a few pairs on the needles, sometimes more! When I’m not knitting (Debbie) I’ve begun learning to weave on an Ashford Sampleit loom. It’s great fun and is already producing amazing results. Spinning is now on the to-do list too! I’ve realised it’s all about enjoying the wonderful creative world of yarn! Knitting and dyeing yarn is my therapy. I have a purpose now and MS is not going to win. I am so grateful to the GP who suggested knitting to me. I have never looked back. Our range of hand dyed yarns on a range of bases, from YAK, Merino Sock, Mohair, Alpaca Fluff, BFL DK, & Bamboo to name a few along with fibre for the spinners and weavers and a selection of our project bags that we make in house at Yarny HQ.