Last year I had an extensive plant dyeing series: eucalpytus, needless to say, but also woad and dyer’s chamomile, alkanet, madder, cochineal and indigo overdyes (why didn’t I actually dye any blue wool while I was at it?). I have belatedly realised that I haven’t shown you the yarns that resulted.
Here are some of them in process… and here are some finished!
Part of the reason for the pause may be that I realised I could not make the intended colour work project unless I also spun some of Viola’s fleece in natural heathered grey. Somehow, I haven’t managed to do that as yet and have needless to say, found other things to do. The time is now, though, to start that process of creating some natural coloured yarns so I can return to the idea that began all this dyeing and spinning, now quite some time ago…
Local & Bespoke 
The shades look so harmonic and a bit hazy, was it also a light grey fleese you’ve used for dyeing? Must be exciting to use the different eucalyptus leaves!
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Hello Olannwolle! Yes, this fleece was light grey. I am planning to use the natural fleece as well as these colours. I really like the way that grey fleece dyes. And yes! I am blessed with many eucalypts to enjoy 🙂
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Lovely colours! Eucalyptus seems to be such an exciting dye so far as I can see. I have India Flint’s book and was astonished by the colours there too.
I am planning to extend my own dyeing this year for 1year1outfit – the nettles are up and the docks are nearly ready – just waiting for my linen…
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Your dyeing plans sounds very exciting, I must say! Eucalyptus is exciting, and India’s work is extra exciting. Very mind opening. But the European dyes have plenty of range too! I look forward to seeing what you do… one year one outfit is a great concept.
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Thanks! There are plenty of available natural dyes but the origin is rarely clear so unless I know where it comes from I’m sticking to what I can get from my & my neighbours’ gardens and fields. A bit limiting but I loved some of them in last year’s experiments.
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Sometimes respecting the limits is both what makes you feel confident you’ve made a wise choice and the making of your creative project too.
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Thanks, and sorry, I’ve forgotten, I’m Birgit. I’ll try with the current account.
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I am not sure what you are apologising for, Birgit–thank you for taking the time to come and look and comment.
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So, so pretty.
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Thankyou!
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They are beautiful and very harmonius…but that is plant dyes for you I guess. Those green ones are lovely, can you remember how they came about?
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Thanks so much! I dyed the green ones first in yellow dyes: dyer’s chamomile and coreopsis flowers; and later in indigo. I like the complex greens that come about this way!
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That is a very impressive array.
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Thanks!
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I know what came into my mind to follow..’.I’ve spun a few’ MY WAY 🙂
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🙂
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Love those colours! I almost feel inspired to dig the spinning wheel out – but it’s still summer here! Even though it’s almost winter….
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The time will come Cath! Thanks for your lovely compliment too!
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Good grief! My efforts NEVER looked so good! Just read about a vegan dyer here https://www.fibreshare.org/rebecca-desnos-author-of-botanical-colour-at-your-fingertips/
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Hello Rebecca, glad you’re up to being out and about a bit these days… my early efforts were not this exciting either… but over time, I’ve figured some things out (and had some help in doing it). Thanks for that link. What wonderful images!
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