Because the weather got so incredibly hot here, I needed to start a light knitting project and put the Boneyard Shawl on hold until it cools down just a bit.
I am working on an Old Shale Scarf in some really soft natural colored yarn that I think I bought at a yard sale for $1.00 years ago.
The other day after cutting up a red onion for a quinoa salad, I decided to put the skins in a quart canning jar filled with water and leave it in the sun. The yarn came out yellow in a cool shade of yellow more on the green side. I am still anxious to find some natural dyes that come out something other than yellow:)
The book, Five Little Peppers, I was excited to find at a library book sale after remembering Renee recommending it.
Joining in with Ginny today
Tonya...All your knitting looks so summery and delicate! From the kitchen, I have dyed successfully with black beans (glacier blue), avocado skins (pinky beige), fennel fronds (moss green). On my list to find this week is some birch bark (pinks) and marigolds (orangey yellows). But it is important to mordant with plant dyes or it will wash out...did you do that with your onion skins? I use alum and cream of tartar. Oh, I could go on and on about this...or we could pm?
ReplyDeletexo Jules
Hi Jules,
DeleteWhen broadband finally makes its way down our rural road, I would love to pm:)
I used alum for the mordant. What mordant are you going to use with birch bark?
Yes, next time I soak beans I am going to save the rinse water!
Thanks for sharing.
Love, Tonya
Pretty colors! I have yet to make any dyes myself, although it sounds so fun! I remember reading The Five Little Peppers long ago, I bet my kids would love it! Thanks for reminding me of it!
ReplyDeletelove the projects.
ReplyDeletei wonder what yarn would look like dyed with beets? maybe not yellow. lol
Gorgeous - your yarns are completely delightful and the colors make me want to pull out my knitting right this second and work away; just totally inspired. :)
ReplyDeleteI read that book when I was young and remember loving it! I hope you enjoy it too!
I know exactly what you mean about the natural dyes... yellows are nice, but a little variety would be good too! I've been soaking some avocado pits and skins, in hopes of a nice pink dye. :)
ReplyDeletewhat lovely knits! One of my friends used koolaid and it was a lovely pink... http://willfulmina.blogspot.com/2013/07/yarn-along-lots-of-irons-in-fire.html
ReplyDeleteFYI...
you are making some very nice knits for summer knitting :)
I love feather and fan stitch, it just looks polished :) love how the scarf and the shawl are color coordinated!!
ReplyDeleteI'm keen on natural plants dyes too. First I need to get some mordant. Must do that and have a play!
ReplyDeleteStay cool and keep experimenting!
I have done a few natural dye projects and the only other color I can achieve to brown. Maybe fall will bring different colors? The series looks great. My children would love it!
ReplyDeleteVery cool about the natural dyes .. I've always wanted to try some but only have done kool-aid in the crock pot (and kool-aid AIN'T natural!).
ReplyDeleteLovely knitting,
Mary G>
Beautiful knits.
ReplyDeleteI am yet to try dyeing as I'm sure I will be hooked once I start and I can't afford another hobby/obsession :)
Have a lovely week.
beautiful! how about beebalm? you can even solar dye - it gives a gorgeous light pink, especially paired with vinegar.
ReplyDeletegrowing lots of plants for natural dyes ... I have woad, living in hopes of blue!
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