The three day weekend presented the perfect opportunity to do some natural dyeing. I started with four skeins of natural white and four skeins of natural grey.
 |
| Unmordanted yarn dyed with indigo. |
 |
| Madder root |
 |
| Weaving Southwest single ply fine Churro tapestry yarn |
 |
| Those little cochineal bugs do terrific work. |
I mordanted all the yarns in a 20% alum solution and added a teaspoon of cream of tartar to the dye bath. I achieved the deep reds desired with the first dip. The lighter colors were the results of the second and third uses of the dyepot in an effort to exhaust the dye. With the cochineal and madder, I used distilled water in an effort to avoid dulling the colors with soft water.
 |
| Logwood purples |
 |
Osage orange was a disappointment.
|
The osage orange was an extract. In the past I have used wood chips and got a brilliant orange. Lesson learned.
 |
Not really loving my Ode to Gunta. Not sure her stripes work as a wedge weave.
|
 |
Vicki and Louise manning our study group table.
|
Our guild held it's last meeting of this guild year last week. Each study group had a table to share their work. It is a pleasure tp be part of an active and dynamic guild.
