Natural Dyeing

One of my two true addictions in life (besides Pepsi, but that's in its own category and we're not counting it here.) is natural fiber. I love everything about it. The feel, the look, and yes, even the smell of fresh wool -- I love it. Does that make me a bit odd? Of course it does, but I've come to accept my wierdness.

My other true addiction is gardening and farming -- which are both much more socially acceptable than touching and smelling wool at every turn in the bend.

So when I get the opportunity to combine my two true loves in one project, I jump at it. And that is exactly what happened this past weekend: Dyeing Wool with Natural Plant Material. (I hear angels singing when those words are uttered out loud.)

The yarn, shown here drying on the front porch, is dyed with (from left to right): wet yarn in goldenrod, dry yarn with goldenrod, red cabbage overdyed with goldenrod and, on the far right, wet yarn dyed with a mixture of red cabbage and purple basil.

The goldenrod produced such a sunny, bright yellow.

It also produced a mellow, subdued yarn when the yarn was put into the dyepot dry. I think its fascinating that one plant can produce two such different results depending on the wetness of the fiber. Where was this type of chemistry when I was in high school? THIS I would have paid attention to!

Who knew red cabbage and purple basil would give you a pale green yarn. Utterly fascinating.

The dyeing will continue through the fall. I'm anxious to see what colors we can come up with.

Gardening + Wool -- a match made in heaven.