Fleece Artist and Handmaiden

Fleece Artist and Hand Maiden are renowned Canadian yarn brands based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, offering premium hand-dyed yarns to knitters and fibre artists across North America. Fleece Artist was founded in 1978, while Hand Maiden launched in 2005. Both brands are proudly family-owned and operated, led by Jana Dempsey, and are celebrated for their vibrant colourways, luxurious fibre blends, and commitment to artisan craftsmanship.

Fleece Artist started beside the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, originally supplying fibres to textile artists. Over the years, the brand became a pioneer in hand-dyed yarns, specializing in breed-specific wools such as Blue-Face Leicester, fine kid mohair, merino, and custom wool blends. Their skilled dye artists - often NSCAD graduates - create colourways that highlight each fibre’s natural texture, offering skeins with excellent drape, colour depth, and personality.

Hand Maiden Fine Yarn began on Canada’s west coast and moved to Halifax to become part of the Fleece Artist studio. Focused on ultra-luxury fibres, Hand Maiden yarns include silk, cashmere, merino, baby alpaca, and super-kid mohair, all dyed in tiny artisan batches. Every skein is hand-dyed with a unique palette, making them true one-of-a-kind treasures. The brand’s identity as “haute couture of the yarn world” speaks to its emphasis on elegance, creativity, and exclusivity.

Why we love Fleece Artist and Hand Maiden at Beehive Wool Shop:

• Canadian-made hand-dyed yarns with artisan quality and heritage

• Exceptional fibre blends such as merino/cashmere/nylon and superwash merino

• Small-batch dyeing for rich, varied, and truly unique colourways

• Durable, soft, and wearable yarns suitable for socks, shawls, sweaters, and gifts

• A strong reputation among North American knitters for luxury, performance, and beauty

Popular lines include Casbah Sock, Mini Maiden, Merino Slim, Superkid Silk, and Maiden Hair. Their colourways - from Red Fox and Renaissance to Firecracker and Ocean - are favourites among Beehive customers.

Beehive Wool Shop proudly stocks Fleece Artist and Hand Maiden yarns for Canadian and American knitters seeking high-quality, artisan-dyed yarns made in Canada. Whether you’re knitting heirloom pieces or everyday wearables, these yarns combine beauty, comfort, and craftsmanship.