The experiment with raw fleece in a natural dye bath revealed that pre-treated fleece absorbed colour less effectively than other fabrics. Despite a pale hue after an overnight soak, insights emerged on the impact of natural oils. Future trials will involve extended dyeing times or additional treatments for richer colours.… Read More Experimenting with Raw Fleece: Overnight Dyeing Trials
Yarn weights can be confusing, especially when you venture beyond the UK to explore the diverse world of international knitting and crochet. Each region has its own naming conventions and weight categories, which can lead to misunderstandings if you’re following a pattern from a different country. This guide will help you navigate yarn weights outside… Read More Understanding Yarn Weights Outside the UK: Differences & Conversions
Natural dyeing offers a rewarding creative experience but comes with challenges, particularly in handling yarn post-dyeing. The author shares personal anecdotes about frustrations and valuable lessons learned, including securing hanks to prevent tangling. Recognising neurodivergent traits has aided acceptance of difficulties, underscoring that mistakes enhance the learning journey in this craft.… Read More My Journey with Natural Dyeing: Lessons Learned & Challenges Faced With Learning Difficulties
Have you ever found it challenging to decipher the different weights of wool or yarn for a knitting or crochet project? Whether you’re a beginner exploring this creative world or an experienced crafter ready to tackle a more intricate pattern, understanding wool or yarn weights is essential to achieving the best results. Choosing the right… Read More Understanding the Different Weights of Wool and Yarn in the UK
Kettle dyeing is a versatile yarn-dyeing method creating semi-solid or variegated colours. It involves immersing yarn in a dye bath, allowing unique tonal shifts. Essential materials include yarn, a non-reactive pot, natural dyes, and protective gear. The process includes soaking, dyeing, and rinsing, resulting in visually appealing yarn for various projects.… Read More Kettle Dyeing: A Beginner’s Guide
When embarking on a new creative project, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement and make impulsive decisions. Recently, I experienced this first-hand whilst sourcing yarn for a product I hope to create using therapeutic textiles. This endeavour, which combines my love for organic and traceable materials, has been a valuable learning experience—both… Read More Learning from Mistakes: My Journey with Yarn Selection and Therapeutic Textiles
Plant dyes, derived from various plant parts, produce a range of colours through natural compounds known as pigments and chromophores. While more sustainable than synthetic dyes, they face challenges like light-fastness and wash-fastness. Understanding the chemistry behind plant dyes enhances their application in textiles, promoting sustainable practices and innovative techniques in dyeing.… Read More The Chemistry of Plant Dyes: Nature’s Palette
The author shares their journey into natural dyeing using organic materials like bamboo velour and wool fleece. A washing experiment led to a mishap, as machine washing shrank the wool fleece significantly. This taught them that wool requires gentle handling. Despite setbacks, they look forward to continuing their dyeing journey.… Read More My Journey into Natural Dyeing: Lessons Learned with Organic Fabrics and Wool Fleece
Scouring wool fleeces removes impurities like dirt, grease, and vegetable matter. The process includes skirting the fleece, separating sections, washing with hot water and detergent, rinsing until clear, and drying. An optional carbonising step can be used for wool with significant vegetable debris, utilising a weak acid for cleanup.… Read More Scouring Wool Fleeces
The scouring process cleans fibres, removing impurities using water, detergents, alkalis, and heat. It varies for cotton, wool, and linen, focusing on suitable chemical methods for each. Environmental concerns are prompting shifts toward sustainable practices like enzymatic and bio-scouring, highlighting the importance of sustainable approaches in textile production.… Read More Natural Dyeing: The Scouring Process-Part 2
Rachel Bakewell 