Tag: plant dyeing

Natural Dyeing with Hollyhocks: Stunning Results from The Black Knight

June 30, 2022

As the temperatures soar here I thought it was time to get going with solar dyeing and what better place to start than with my amazing hollyhocks. I love hollyhocks and have grown them for years so you can imagine my disappointment when the first few hollyhocks planted here failed to thrive. I had been kind to them giving them both their beloved sunshine but also the relief of a little shade later in the … More Natural Dyeing with Hollyhocks: Stunning Results from The Black Knight

Low intensity natural plant dyeing in Winter: A simple, step by step, anyone can do it, guide

March 31, 2022

In my previous natural dyeing post I talked about using a new to me method of low intensity dyeing that used the heat generated by our woodburning stove and time. Today I thought I’d share a quick guide to this approach so you can easily see how you could adapt it to suit your circumstances, and integrate elements of it in your dyeing practice should you wish to do so. If you’ve never dyed before, … More Low intensity natural plant dyeing in Winter: A simple, step by step, anyone can do it, guide

Natural Dyeing with Loquat leaves: When nature blows your mind

March 21, 2022

I took and enforced break from natural dyeing in the run up to the New Year because I had exhausted my stocks of undyed yarn to use as a base. So, it was with great anticipation that I returned to it in the New Year having ordered more yarn in the UK and having been given a totally new yarn fresh from the mill by a friend. All the anticipation in the world couldn’t have … More Natural Dyeing with Loquat leaves: When nature blows your mind

My Advent Tavis: Update

January 8, 2021

Back at the beginning of December I stated my knitterly intention to spend the Advent period starting and, hopefully, finishing a Tavis Cowl from Susan Crawford‘s latest publication Evolution, using the mini skeins I had dyed myself over the past year as part of my experiments in natural dyeing. So how do you think I did? Did my good intentions get me anywhere? Well, yes they did. It seems a little bit of intentionality can … More My Advent Tavis: Update

Natural Dyeing Experiments: Quince leaves

November 4, 2020

The mature quince tree we have in the garden is a continual source of joy and pleasure. It has sculptural presence that provides shade in the summer and the oh, so sweet smell of ripening quinces as autumn becomes winter. Whilst the fruits become jam, jelly or marmellata/membrillo/cheese, I was keen to see if the leaves would work as a dye source, and oh my, it really didn’t disappoint. I had explored the potential of … More Natural Dyeing Experiments: Quince leaves