Stackpole, $24.95 (112p) ISBN 978-0-8117-3859-0 In this colorful guide, designer Barna (Design Doubles) offers 21 patterns that take the guesswork out of using rare or hand-painted yarns.

Gypsy Wools provides naturally colored, hand-dyed and painted yarns and fibers for spinners, knitters, weavers and crocheters, and specializes in small-batch, unrepeatable yarn.

As far as yarn goes, I prefer single-ply, hand-painted, 100 percent merino (lace weight). I find it's very soft but also very strong. Hand-painted Merino sock yarns also work well.

View full size Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood | The Grand Rapids Press Chris Roosien, owner of Briar Rose Fibers, works on a sweater she is knitting with yarn from her line of hand-painted fibers. She ...

Painted Trillium Designs, 5489 32nd Ave., is merging with Whippletree Yarn & Gifts and moving into the Whippletree store at 3500 Chicago Drive.