One of the HAPPIEST rugs I've ever hooked. I designed Bee Runner as a showcase for the my adventures in natural dyeing.
A much softer palette than my normal work...I'm embracing and loving it!
Linen patterns for Bee Runner will be in the Etsy Shop and on the website later TODAY;)
Well hello...
a morning visit from this 4 Horned Sphinx (Elm) Moth Caterpillar...
Wishing you a lovely Saturday, Laurie
My post today is not about fireworks, picnics or parades…
it’s about the magic in my dye pots…
Natural dyeing…or as I prefer to call it Plant Dyeing is a SLOW process, often spanning several days. I want to coax every bit of loveliness nature has to offer out of each plant.
To begin, I mordant the wool in alum and cream of tartar, then wash and dry it to have ready for the gardens bounty. I harvest a bit each day and save until enough for a dye run. A good ratio of plant material to wool is 1:1…so to dye a fat quarter of wool it takes about 3 to 4 ounces of plant material…that’s a lot of blossoms;) The 1st run gives rich, saturated colors. Subsequent runs yield softer values that sometime shift in color. Playing with modifiers often dramatically… magically changes things.
I’ll be back soon with results from run #3
Wishing you a magical, safe and happy 4th
~ Laurie
