Capturing the raw beauty of the Pacific Northwest is no small challenge. Many artists have tried over the decades and when successful – when their art speaks to that little piece of our soul forever changed by the magic of the Pacific coastline – it’s worthy of recognition.
Joining the ranks of artists who’ve successfully captured a piece of the PNWs wild, raw beauty is Cabled Fiber & Yarn in Port Angeles. Their Distracted by Yarn, Pacific Northwest Line captures the diversity and vibrance of the region perfectly in its 32 unique colors of hand-dyed yarn, inspired by the Olympic Peninsula.
“Port Angeles is the gateway to the Olympic National Park,” says MarySue French, the shop’s founder and co-owner. “And we act as a gateway ourselves for many local fiber artists, supporting them from the beginning of their fiber art journey and long after by ensuring they’ve everything they need for their projects, from tools to inspiration.”
Two of the most popular colors in the PNW line are Rainforest and Ruby Beach, French says, though she uses the term ‘most popular’ loosely. The entire PNW lineup has long stood out as best sellers, not only with locals but through online orders and with visitors looking for a little piece of the Olympic Peninsula to take home.
Rainforest is inspired by the giant conifer trees that dominate the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the world’s largest and most spectacular examples of a temperate forest. The resulting yarn is bright and multi-colored, reflecting the moss, lichens, flowers, berries and fungi that make up this vivid ecosystem.
Distracted By Yarn - PNW Inspired shades (Rainforest)
Ruby Beach is another popular favorite, Cabled Fiber & Yarn co-owner Beth Witters says. A deep ruby-red, the yarn is inspired by the garnet-colored sands that eroded from banks and collected on the shoreline to give Ruby Beach its name.
“We wanted to celebrate the name of the beach and what makes it such a unique place,” Witters says. “So we took a summer sunset photo at the beach and used that for our color inspiration.”
Distracted By Yarn - PNW Inspired shades (Ruby Beach)
These are just two of more than 30 colors in the PNW line; other popular colors include Salmon Cascades, Lake Crescent La Poel, Fireweed, Mountain Lupin and Beach at Salt Creek.
Find everything you need for your next project
Cabled Fiber & Yarn has provided supplies and inspiration to Port Angeles’s crafting community for more than 10 years. Offering high-quality yarns and fibers, tools and patterns, you’ll also find hands-on advice, classes and guidance to both new and experienced artists.
Browse Cabled Fiber & Yarn’s PNW line in store at 125 W. 1st Street Port Angeles, WA. or online at cabledfiber.com/distracted-by-yarn.
A shawl made from Ruby Beach. Photo courtesy of Cabled Fiber & Yarn.