Feeling pleased, not blue. Last year I tried the 1-2-3 woad-dyeing method developed by bio-chemist Michael Garcia and failed miserably. Today, I tried again and this time managed to achieve some success. The picture shows some some double dipped wool skeins and also washed but not otherwise processed wool, and, on the far right some seacell fibre. I really wanted the 1-2-3 method to succeed as it is more environmentally friendly, using only woad/indigo, fructose […]
So, I know I didn’t stir the pot enough when the weld went in, but wow, such vibrant colour. I can always re-dye for a more even coverage. This was first mordanted using alum, then dried. A few days later, chopped dried weld and some calcium carbonate, this wool and water were all added to a big pot. I soaked the lot overnight and then heated to just under boiling point for about three quarters […]
Experiments in natural dyeing So, I have had success in the past dyeing wool with woad (blue) and madder (red). I have some pre-carded Shetland wool from Ewelove Sheep Sanctuary, Whitby and after spinning it up thought I would try dyeing it purple. It’s from the sheep Tink, Soldier and Belle who were rescued from the meat industry. Luckily for them they are now living out their days as sheep should. So…… Scoured it in […]
