Without a doubt one of the best things I found at Stitches 2012 was the Wonderland Dyeworks booth. I really really really wasn't planning to buy any yarn, but this skein of rich browns brightened with hits of emerald green was irresistable. Their color palette is one that I haven't seen well represented in recent years. The warm, rustic and earthy tones just drew me in.

Here's the skein I bought:

Here's how it looks knitted up so far:

I love the dark chocolate of the browns. The green is more jewel-like than minty. It's actually called Ocean Driftwood. If you want some for yourself click here. I'm also having a hankering for Deep Raspberry. Yum.

Woodland Dyeworks also carries rovings for you spinners out there:

Twitter is one of my favorite things right now because it's one way I discover lots of fabulous new Etsy sellers! Today's awesome find is knitandcurl, a purveyor of handknits and felts tea cozies. Many items are thoughtfully embroidered, bringing the simple handknits from the everyday to the fashionable. Each items adds a cozy handmade vibe to your wardrobe and home. Here are some of the gifts that caught my eyes:

I really want one of those tea cozies!

It's been a long time since I've done an Etsy Shop du Jour and it's because I've been waiting to show something truely special. Also, I've been working a real job and that eats at my blogging time :(. But enough of that, please take a look at the vibrant sock yarn produced by Three Fates. It looks sturdy and colorful and like something I want to see in my holiday stocking. Somebody page Mr. KnitLuck. Thank you.

You may need a napkin to clean up the drool...

Get ready to drool, because I have found another fabulous hand-dyer on Etsy and she has some yarn just waiting for you to scoop up. Check out VIOLA.

A long time ago, in a land far far away (ok, early last year), I featured Sarah Kincheloe's Etsy shop as a great maker of handmade needle cases. It's great seeing that her wares have sold well and that she has expanded her line to include pouches. If you aren't already familiar with her work, go visit her shop now!

If you like matched luggage, you can also have your straight, circular needle holders and notions pouches match as well:

Fiber Story is yet another fantastic hand-dyer with an Etsy shop. The colors are vibrant and are offered in a variety of yarns, and of course spinning fiber. I love the use of reds and pinks. There's something about the colorways below that I haven't seen before that is refreshing to behold. Here are a few favorites from the shop.

For the next Etsy Shop du Jour, I'm searching for some knitting notions and I need your help. Do you know of an etsy/handcraft shop that sells imaginative knitting notions? Let me know about them in the comments. They might just be the next Etsy Shop du Jour!