Knitten Word and Lor
Hey, I’m Lor!
I’m a yarn dyer based out of New Haven, Connecticut. Collecting stories from all over the world is a passion of mine and as such, my collections use the written word, with folktales, songs, stories, poems, and authors being my main sources of inspiration. My bases are named after gods, goddesses, and key folktale figures from Baltic and Slavic folklore, as a nod to my own ancestry and folktale history. In the vein of storytelling, seeing the ways people take my hand-dyed yarn and use it to tell their stories has been the most rewarding part of becoming a yarn dyer.
I became a full-time dyer after leaving my teaching job thanks to a headache disorder (chronic paroxysmal hemicrania) diagnosis. I feel like I’m just getting started in my exploration of fiber types, fiber blends, dye capabilities, and collection development, so I’m glad to have you along for the journey!
If I’m not listening to audiobooks or podcasts, you can find me baking historical cakes and treats, running around the house with my cat dyeing assistant (Kublai Khan), hiking, with my partner Zach, around the many cool places you can find in New England, or having incredibly important conversations over coffee or tea about pop culture (and whatever celebrity memoir I just finished).
Knitten Word Values
Here at Knitten Word I approach my business with a punk philosophy (anti-fascist, anti-violence, anti-racist, anti-ignorance, and pro-creative) so that our community can craft and create with the purpose of fulfilling our shared passion to be pro-creative, while doing so in a place that is free of judgment and hate. Essentially, I encourage your crafting as an act of rebellion; crafting to get your voice heard above the noise.
In order to uphold Knitten Word as a safe space, it’s critical to voice my values and commitment to dismantling and examining behaviours around supremacy (ableism, ageism, classism, sizeism, and white supremacy). I prioritize the knowledge, safety, and wellbeing of all people and cultures. There is great importance in allowing others, especially in a creative community, the freedom to express themselves without fear of judgment. When people can create freely, we as a community gain from the richness of their experience and self expression. I’m always learning and reevaluating my behaviours and beliefs to remain a welcoming, open, and safe place for all makers who dare to rebel through fiber. If you have any comments, thoughts, or concerns, please feel free to contact me.