Julie's Story

Watercolours & Lace is run by indie dyer, knitwear designer and botanical artist
Julie Harris DipSBA. This is her story ...

"I've knitted for as long as I can remember, always preferring natural yarns and traditional techniques like Fair Isle, Celtic style cabling and Ganseys.

"Having not painted since high school, I started dabbling with watercolours at the age of 40 and eventually became hooked on botanical painting, studying for and achieving a Diploma with the Society of Botanical Artists.

"When I became interested in knitted lace several years ago, I searched for yarn colours to match the subtle, sophisticated look I wanted to match the delicate designs I was knitting.

"Then I realised I could dye my own. Mainly by trial and error, I found I could achieve the effects I wanted with a dyeing technique similar to wet-into-wet watercolour painting, inspired by colours found in the landscapes and flowers I love to recreate on paper. My personal stash soon outgrew my craft room and started taking over the house. Friends and relatives began asking if they could buy my yarns and the lace accessories I was creating. All this coincided with leaving my previous job following spinal surgery and needing something to occupy my time, as well as help with the household finances. So the idea for a small business was born - I decided to call it Watercolours and Lace to reflect my two creative interests.

"Having started with lace yarns, my range soon extended to include various 4-ply weights. As well as good quality wools - I’m particularly fond of rare breed yarns when I can get them - I also dye alpaca, cashmere, camelhair, silk, mohair and yak. I use British grown and/or spun yarns whenever possible. All are produced in small batches - sometimes only a single 50g skein, usually no more than 300g at a time - and no two dyelots will ever be exactly the same, because of the nature of the hand-painting process.

"My personal stash has continued to grow, but I can just about bear to part with enough to stock the shop - although my long-suffering husband, Alan, would prefer me to be a little less attached to a little more yarn!!"