As I used to be studying Dyeing Yarn Naturally by Ria Burns, I noticed I’ve truly dyed extra yarn in my profession as a knitter than I typically take into consideration. I’ve used Kool-Assist, Easter egg dye, tie dye and pure dye from a equipment. I’ve additionally dyed yarn with dandelions from my yard and strawberries left within the fridge a bit too lengthy.
Each time I examine dyeing I need to do extra of it, and this ebook is unquestionably inspiring and approachable with regards to dyeing methods you should utilize with supplies you’ll be able to develop, forage or purchase.
The ebook begins with the essential methods of yarn preparation: making the yarn right into a hank, scouring and mordanting. It explores normal strategies for utilizing pure supplies to dye with, both by placing the flowers, roots or different supplies immediately within the pot with the yarn, extracting the colour and utilizing that liquid to dye the yarn, in addition to different methods like photo voltaic dyeing, indigo preparations (which get their very own chapter) and bundle dyeing.
Strategies akin to dip dyeing, tie dyeing and utilizing components to alter the colour within the yarn are additionally mentioned.
Better of all, the ebook consists of “recipes” or tips for utilizing completely different widespread pure supplies (solely crops, not animal-based dyes), from onion skins and avocado stones to madder, coreopsis and marigold, ivy to walnuts. For those who’re in any respect inclined to strive pure dyeing you’ll most likely be pondering, “oh, I can get that” as you learn. (Instance: now we have black walnut bushes in our yard and you may dye with the husks, which the squirrels are completely happy to depart mendacity round.)
There’s additionally data on rising and processing your personal crops for dye making and recommendations on testing for gentle fastness, reusing dye liquid, dyeing completed objects and extra.
Dyeing Yarn Naturally is a good normal overview of the method of dyeing yarn with pure supplies. The writer is English, so the main target is on supplies out there there, however you’ll be able to at all times scour your personal yard and public areas (if foraging is allowed) to seek out the dye crops which can be native to you.
Concerning the ebook: 96 pages, paperback, 25 plant profiles. Revealed 2023 by the Crowood Press. Urged retail value $19.99.