Yarn Pricing & Complexity Guide
Understanding Our Pricing Structure
At Mountaintop Yarn, every skein is dyed by hand with intention, care, and artistry. To honor the time, technique, and resources that go into creating each colorway, we’ve introduced a tiered pricing model based on dye complexity.
All yarns begin with a base price that ranges from $30 to $61, depending on the fiber content. Luxury bases—like those with silk, mohair, or cashmere—naturally carry a higher cost due to the quality of the materials.
From there, we assess the complexity of the dye process, assigning each yarn a Complexity Level to reflect how many color layers were used and how much time and labor went into creating the skein. For each additional dye color beyond the first, $1 is added to the base price.
This approach allows us to be transparent about pricing and gives you a clear understanding of the artistry behind every skein.
🎨 What Do Complexity Levels Mean?
Each Complexity Level reflects the number of individual color layers that have been hand-applied—along with the time, skill, and effort it takes to complete them. Here’s a breakdown of what each level involves:
🟢 Level 1 Complexity — Tonal Simplicity
A tonal yarn dyed with a single color. These are the most straightforward skeins to produce, using one dye bath to create a rich, even tone with natural tonal variation.
🕒 Time to Dye: 30–45 minutes
🧪 Process: Single dye bath → heat set
💡 Best for: Clean, versatile skeins that let stitch patterns shine
🟡 Level 2 Complexity — Gentle Duality
These yarns feature two color layers. After the first dye is poured and heat set, the yarn is physically shifted to expose new sections for the second pour.
🕒 Time to Dye: Around 1.5 hours
🧪 Process: Pour color 1 → heat set → shift skein → pour color 2 → heat set again
💡 Best for: Subtle movement, layered transitions, and soft visual interest
🟠 Level 3 Complexity — Intentional Layering
Three distinct dye colors are layered into the skein. The yarn is repositioned between each pour to achieve controlled variegation and depth.
🕒 Time to Dye: 2 to 2.5 hours
🧪 Process: Pour → heat set → shift → repeat for each layer
💡 Best for: Complex colorways that change and evolve in your hands
🔴 Level 4 Complexity — Multi-Pour Precision
With four colors, dyeing becomes a precise, deliberate process. Each pour requires careful planning and section manipulation to maintain clarity between shades.
🕒 Time to Dye: 3 to 3.5 hours
🧪 Process: Pour color → heat set → move yarn → repeat four times
💡 Best for: Bold blends, layered hues, and color stories that speak
🟣 Level 5 Complexity — Artistic Maximalism
The most intricate colorways we offer. These skeins involve five or more individual dye pours, each one set before the next is added. The skein is continually manipulated to reveal fresh fiber with each step, requiring hours of close attention.
🕒 Time to Dye: 4+ hours
🧪 Process: Pour → heat set → twist/shift → repeat again and again
💡 Best for: Statement skeins and show-stopping projects with soul
💬 A Note from the Dyer
No matter which yarn you choose—whether it’s a simple tonal or a multi-layered masterpiece—I want you to know how deeply grateful I am for your support.
Every skein at Mountaintop Yarn is made with intention, artistry, and love. This isn’t mass production—it’s soul work. Your support allows me to keep creating and sharing my vision with the world.
Whether you're drawn to a Level 1 or a Level 5, you’re holding something I’ve poured my heart into, and I’m honored that it will be part of your craft.
Thank you for choosing handmade. Thank you for choosing Mountaintop Yarn.