Leading Men Fiber Arts

Leading Men Fiber Arts isn’t just a business—it’s a love story woven with color, passion, and creativity. In Clinton, IL, Steve and Andy hand-dye yarn, hoping to spark joy in their clients, embrace community, and build a dream together.  

Steve Fegert & Andy Eymer opened Leading Men Fiber Arts in August 2013 and began dying yarn out of their house. With an initial investment of just $500, they purchased their first dyeing equipment and have built a brand that delivers unique, hand-dyed works of art in every skein.Their process infuses each skein of yarn with brilliant highlights and lowlights, giving finished knitted or crocheted projects movement and distinctive color patterns. Leading Men Fiber Arts sources many of their fibers from the UK and offer different varieties, including merino wool, cashmere, silk, and nylon. Their unique colorways are inspired by theatre, pop culture, and nature. 

To begin dyeing yarn, the process starts by soaking the yarn in water, which allows the fibers to absorb the dye evenly. Once the yarn is prepped, it’s placed in dye pans, each shaped differently for specific dyeing techniques. Citric acid is added to the water in the pans, acting as the bonding agent for the dye. Professional acid dyes are then applied using various methods, and the yarn is heated, ensuring the dye adheres to the fibers. After heating, the yarn cools, is rinsed, and then hung to dry.

As partners, Steve and Andy’s relationship is the heart of the business. Although Andy does not knit or crochet, he finds joy in bringing Steve’s passion and dream to life.  When they’re not at home in Clinton, Steve and Andy can be found traveling the country for trade shows and festivals. 

To see more of their work, visit leadingmenfiberarts.com.