The time of year when the cars get evicted from the garage and the plants get a healthy drink of slightly acidic water (they love it--alkaline soil around here). The season of sore backs, scalded toes, and mottled surgical scrubs,
I am a dyer. I love the structured nature of dyeing with acid wool dyes, that I can replicate the colors I make (except the errors--can never get those again), that the math is simple, and that the combinations are boundless. I definitely admire the natural dyers. Their work seems much more complicated than mine. But I'm hooked on the synthetics. The color gradations are fantastic.
While dyeing the last few weeks, I took the liberty of shooting some video. It was simply meant to give you a flavor for what dyeing is all about. And if I can do it, so can you. Enjoy! (And I swear I am NOT drunk in that out-take at the very end... I just get some weird fake southern accent thing happening when I'm being a goof. My apologies Nana.)
For full screen, push the square icon in the lower right corner of the video window. Or push the YouTube button to view it there.
What a fun video, Rebecca. It looks to be very time consuming and if I was a young'un like you, I might give it try.
ReplyDeleteOh Boy! You have helped me begin another new adventure. I am dyeing small samples and the ratios of chemicals to WOF is a bit challenging for me. I shall prevail! It is fun!
ReplyDeleteYou do look like you are having fun! But I know that it is a lot of hard work, too.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any recommendations for a source for undyed yarn for a good tapestry weft yarn?
Yep. Lots of places! All the tapestry yarns listed in my online class come in undyed versions. My favorite are the Harrisville Highland, Shetland, and singles. I love the Faro Swedish singles from Glimakra USA. My new favorite yarn is Weavers Bazaar from England.
DeleteI had a look at the Weavers Bazaar page, and I see that they have a worsted single-fleece (Blue-faced Leicester) undyed yarn. It sounds like it would be great for dyeing. I've been dyeing unprocessed fleece and then spinning it, trying to make a nice worsted two-ply for tapestry, but my results are wildly varied.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a yarn they have been working on for tapestry. I am definitely going to give it a try along with the 18/2 singles they have. The owners of this business are both tapestry weavers and are trying to produce the best tapestry yarns. I think they're doing a fantastic job.
DeleteGetting back into dyeing was the best thing I did this summer Rebecca...such control and the occasional lack of control. A gradation hanging on the clothesline gives me such satisfaction.
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