Dyer Spotlight: Fiona Kay Knits

Fiona Kay is a one woman dyeing operation working out of her kitchen in Portland, Oregon. When she isn’t dyeing, she’s working full time as a horse trainer and massage therapist, specializing in rehabilitation and geriatric horse care. She’s the mom of a very opinionated and fashion obsessed toddler named Luna and a rescued mutt named Marceline, who inspire her daily. We sat down virtually to get to know her a little better. Here's the Q&A!


Q: Tell us about Fiona Kay Knits, how long have you been doing it and what got you started?

A: The true origin of Fiona Kay Knits was when my dad wanted a hat with skulls on it for Christmas in 2019. I couldn’t find a pattern I liked and just kind of made something up. My friends and people on social media started bugging me to officially publish the pattern so I thought “why not?” Then I started dyeing yarn in March of 2021 after my best friend Anny showed me the ropes. I was a full time stay at home mom to a baby born at the beginning of the pandemic and working for myself doing something I loved was super enticing. My husband really encouraged me to jump in full force and keeps me going on the days when it’s hard to stay motivated.

Q: How did you learn to knit?

A: My mom attempted to teach me to knit when I was about 12 or so. Because of my preteen attitude, I wasn’t a great student and never mastered much beyond lumpy garter stitch scarves that always had a bunch of dropped stitches. But I picked knitting back up in college as a way to cope with anxiety. Then I really dove in head first and wanted to learn everything I could!

Q: What are you knitting right now?

A: I knit a special sweater for my daughter Luna every fall to wear to the pumpkin patch so I’m working away on that. I’m using the “Mini Halloween Heart” pattern by Meghan Regan in my colors “Sparkle Goth,” “Sparkle Motion,” and “Jawbreaker.” Luna is two and a half years old and very picky about what she wears so she helped pick the colors.

Q: Quick, what's your favorite color?

A: My whole wardrobe is blacks and greys. My fashion sense was once described by a dear coworker as “yoga funeral” (aka all black and always ready to do a downward dog!). But in my heart, I truly love neons and pinks and purples.

Q: What's currently inspiring you?

A: I’m always inspired by bold, high contrast colors and designs. I love goth and alternative fashion and also western style so finding a way to merge my loves has been fun. I describe my personal style ideal as if Elvira and Dolly Parton collaborated on a clothing line and that definitely bleeds into my yarn and design work. My yarn has also been described as “goth Lisa Frank” and that feels accurate!

Q: Are there any trends in knitting that you're loving right now?

A: I obviously love playing with color so stranded color work and marling (holding two or more strands of yarn together) are always my favorite things, but I love seeing new patterns using those techniques. I have way too many WIPs now. Haha.

Q: How do you (or do you) balance being creative with being a mom and all the other stuff you do?

A: I feel like my creative side never turns off and really informs how I parent and move through the world. I have ADHD so being all over the place has always been a challenge for me, but I’ve recently reframed it as my superpower. My fantastic design mentor Jill Wolcott encouraged me to find little moments throughout a busy day to chip away at my creative work. Whether that’s knitting a few rows while waiting for my kiddo in the daycare pick up line or dyeing a batch of yarn during nap time, I’m always trying to find those little moments that I would probably just spend playing games on my phone or scrolling.

Q: Of all the things you've knit/designed/dyed, what are you the most proud of?

A: Every new colorway I create feels like the best thing I’ve ever made. I have started doing custom colorways for people through my instagram and that has been such a fun project. I’ve dyed yarn to match someone’s dog. I’ve dyed yarn based on someone’s school colors. I’ve dyed yarn for a dear friend based solely on how I interpret her toddler daughter’s “energy” via social media. Of course I’m still proud of my staple colors, but I get really excited when I make something totally new and push my creative boundaries.