Tess Yarns

Fine Print

Retail shop will be closed through the middle of May.

Please call 207-546-2483 for yarn emergencies.

TESS' DESIGNER YARNS

Fine Fibers in Exceptional Colors For Over Twenty Years

Tess' Designer Yarns offers exceptional colors of hand dyed yarns in luxury fibers at reasonable prices. From vivid variegated splashed yarns to sophisticated subtle neutrals, we have the yarns you need for your next knitting project. With over 20 years experience hand dyeing, you can count on Tess' for the highest quality yarns.

All yarns are dyed by one person ~ each batch is unique ~ no formulas!! We still offer yarns that are really hand dyed ~ we do not try to produce massive quantities of yarn ~ just the best quality in the most gorgeous colors.

New Colors, Limited Edition!

New Patterns!

and more!

New Yarns!

Check out our new yarns ~ Peruvian Dream, available in both Baby & Sock wt and in a worsted wt. A super soft blend of Superwash Merino, Silk and Alpaca. We've also added nylon to the sock yarn to help make those socks last!

Baby & Sock ~ $20 100 gm, 440 yds

Worsted wt ~ $30 150 gm, 410 yds

Coming Soon!

We are expecting 2 new sock yarns the beginning of May ~

a blend of Superwash Merino, Angora & Nylon

& a blend of Superwash Merino, Silk & Nylon

New Retail Shop

We have opened a new retail outlet at 1 Spring St in the Old Port section of Portland, Maine, considered one of the 10 best cities to visit in the country.

We will be showcasing our unique yarn collection year round in Portland's trendy shopping district, near the waterfront. There are wonderful restaurants, shops and plenty of parking. We're very pleased with the location and hope you will come visit us. While commuting, the plan is to be open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 to 6. We may be open more, maybe less but until the move is complete or we get more help, you may want to call ahead to check! If you would like to visit the shop other than during our regularly scheduled hours, please call. We will try to set up an appointment to accommodate your schedule.

Shop Hours, Pictures &Location

Windowpane Scarf

Designed by Mildred Dinsmore

This new design features a pattern that is very popular in our Windowpane Shell. It uses 2 sk of sock yarn ~ 1 in each color. It could also be made in any of our other yarns with needle size adjustment.

~ Lace Wt Yarns ~

Petite Silk and Petite Cashmere are both very fine & super soft—can be used for lace or in multiples or in combination with other yarns for fun with color.

Petite Silk $20 per skein ~ 100% silk ~ approx 40 gm ~ 450 yds

Petite Cashmere $40 per skein ~ 100% cashmere ~ approx 50 gm ~ 450 yds

Superwash Merino Petite ~ Superwash Lace

Our newest yarns are suitable for lace and sport wt patterns. Machine Wash & Dry!

Superwash Petite can be substituted for Silk & Ivory ~ less expensive( half the price!) but still very soft. Machine wash & dry makes it especially nice for babies' blankets and garments! Available exclusively from Tess'. 100% Merino wool

$25 per sk ~ approx. 660 yd ~ 150 gm

shown in Seabreeze Superwash Lace Gradient Kit ~ 4~5 sk

Free Pattern on Internet!

Clapotis

Superwash Lace is very fine & super soft—can be used in multiples or in combination with other yarns for fun with color. 100% Merino wool

$10 per skein ~ approx 50 gm ~ 500 yds

Superwash Lace Gradient Color Blanket Kit shown in Tropicana Colors

Gradient Color Kits

Seabreeze Colors Tropicana Colors

Midnight Blues Colors Sheepdog Colors

Available in Singles and in color kits of 3- 12 skeins in a huge array of colors in addition to those shown above! We have a few patterns which have step-by-step instructions telling how to change colors. However, it is so EASY to use these yarns with any pattern that we suggest you try it with one of your favorite patterns. There is so much yardage that usually with more colors there will be enough leftover for another small project.

only $10 per sk!

approx 50 gm ~ 500 yds

Machine Wash & Dry

Superwash Lace Gradient Color Kit

Child's Pullover Designed by Sherry Wilding

shown in Lavender Sachet Gradient Colors Kit

Crest of the Wave

This is a new pattern that I love! I can't wait to try it in different yarns in different gauges. It has a very pleasing pattern that is deceptively easy ~ just my style. This shawl/ scarf was knit using the new Petite Silk on size 4 needles. It used 4 sk as shown. It also could be knit on a larger needle for a more open pattern and a larger garment. We made a beautiful shawl using 8 sk using a size 8 needle. There was a lot of yarn left over, but I wanted to have the greater variety of shifting colors. It also could be made using only 4 ~ 5 sk.

shown in Deep Olive Mohair & Merino

Bias Cable Jacket

Designed by Sue Wright Pedersen

An elegant new design featuring one of my favorite yarns ~ Mohair & Merino. Sure to be a classic, this jacket is stylish - it is versatile and flattering to all. It is a garment that you will find yourself wanting to wear on many occasions - it will be a favorite!

NEW!

Child's Rolled Rib Sweater Child's Ruffled Sweater/Dress

Rolled Rib uses 1 sk Superwash Merino and two 100 yd balls for trim. Body is knit mostly in one piece for easy knitting. Ruffled dress is knit using Superwash Lace alone or with Superwash Petit. Please call for ordering info.

Heart Scarf/Belt Kits

So much fun! Quick, easy, portable!

Superwash Merino or Raw Silk ~ $10

Microfiber Ribbon ~ $10

Angora or Silk Chenille ~ $20

Pattern included

Fish Scarf/Belt Kits

Kit prices same as Heart Scarf/Belt

SuperSock & Baby yarn at Stitches East '06

$18 per sk

Super Socks & Baby

80% Wool, 20% Nylon ~ Approx. 450 yd / 100 gm

Machine Wash & Dry ~ Hand Dyed in Maine

What people are saying about our sock yarn!

"The Tess is worth it..A sock yarn beyond compare! A triumph of color! Oh... how I love..."

"This is that Tess Designer sock yarn...I have to say I am in love with this yarn. I think I like it better than, ahem, xxxxx . shhh...keep that under your hat...but I really do."

" *ahem, since Tess is not paying me to extoll the virtues of their sock yarn, I must admit...I do prefer it a smidge more than, well, anything at this current moment."

Comments: "I bought this yarn from Tess' booth at MDSW 2005. It's a fantastic sock yarn! It was only $15 for a skein that's 450 yards. I have a lot of the skein left. I definitely will buy more of this yarn...I really love how this pattern works with this yarn. I really love how the finished socks fit. "

This picture was sent to me by Dorrie Stump - I think this sock is gorgeous. There is enough yarn in 1 skein even for this heavily patterned sock. We will be displaying socks and provide link to free pattern at our next show.