Over the last week or so, I've been super-busy. My knitting friends have been encouraging me for a long time (trust me: for at least a year) to start a shop, if not a brick-and-mortar yarn shop, then a shop on etsy, or really, someplace online. A brick-and-mortar yarn shop seems like a pretty high … Continue reading The Yarn Office, The Post Office, and Fleece Washing
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Madder
This is not a rant. Nor another exposition on going off the deep end and finding my way back (or up out of the depression hole). It's also not about The Yellow Wallpaper, an incredible short story by Charlotte Perkins Gillman that you should read if you haven't. This post is about my recent dye … Continue reading Madder
I’m Lichen Dying
I'm liking dying & puns and lichen dying. I tried dying with lichen this past spring but didn't take any pictures of my results. Until now, that is: On the left is the iron-mordanted sample, on the right: alum. I know, the results aren't that spectacular. It turns out that mid-May isn't such a great … Continue reading I’m Lichen Dying
Dying with Black Beans
Dying with black beans? Really?Yes. Really. I read it on the internet. And I have a friend who tried it (hookedferret/silverdragon). And I've seen pictures with a range of different results, from blah gray to brilliant blue to deep amethyst purple.Here's what I did: soaked 2lbs of dried Goya brand black beans in tap water … Continue reading Dying with Black Beans
Indigo
A long time ago, in a land not that far away, I got a Jaquard Indigo Dye Kit from Knit Picks. It's been so long that the product packaging has been updated. I finally used it by starting an indigo vat in mid-June with hookedferret/silverdragn, my dye buddy and enabler. The kit comes with enough … Continue reading Indigo
Dandelions
When I took the natural dye class this spring, taught by Sylvia De Mar through The Art League of Alexandria over the course of 3 Sundays, Sylvia asked us to gather dandelions and bring them in for our last class. She asked for the whole plant - flowers, leaves, stems, roots. I know that dandelions … Continue reading Dandelions
Lily of the Valley
The house I grew up in had a big patch of lily of the valley (and lots of other perennials) next to the front door, which we never used. I don't even remember if there were steps going to that door, though I may be confusing it with my mother's current front door, which doesn't … Continue reading Lily of the Valley
Day 6-7 Avocado Dye Experiment
Well, I couldn't wait any more. With the butterfly bush dye experiment, I admit I also dyed some samples in the avocado dye baths. See?Imagine the yarn is layed out in a circle. Starting with the top-most bunch of samples going counter-clockwise, we have:Pre-mordanted samples - alum, copper, iron Pit-dyed samples - alum, copper, iron Peel-dyed samples … Continue reading Day 6-7 Avocado Dye Experiment
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Davidii) Natural Dye
I've planted lots of butterfly bushes in my yard. By lots I mean more than 10. I started with two - a white one and a purple one - ordered online as bare roots; all the rest are children of those plants. I got them originally because I love lilacs but still don't have a … Continue reading Butterfly Bush (Buddleia Davidii) Natural Dye
It’s all about the visuals …
First, an update on the avocado dye experiment: Day 5 after adding water this morning to bring the water level back up over the materials. Mr. Q. called the one on the left a peach color and I reluctantly concede that he's right. While it's only day 5 of what I envisioned being a long … Continue reading It’s all about the visuals …
Little Golden Notebook 