The color purple

 

 This post was originally written several days ago, but in the mysterious ways of my (lack of) computing skills, combined with the unimaginably poor service from my DSL service provider, it somehow disappeared into the great unknown.  I was so anxious to show you all how wonderfully the new yarn was taking to the dyepot,  I was ready to do war (again) with Windstream.  We are in the midst of a battle at the moment and I'm not going to subject you all to the rant that's going on in my head.  So, onward .....

Above is the first batch of circa 2012 yarn being mordanted and below is the actual dyepot.  I'm using natural dyes for a large portion of this years yarn crop.

The first dyepot is purple logwood and though I used enough dye matter for the medium shade, there was plenty of dye left in the pot at the end of the recommended time, so I took out the first batch and put in another.  I'm so enamored with the two shades that resulted and I especially love how well they coordinate.  They just beg to be used in a project together.

(first batch)

(purple logwood - first and second batch together)

(first batch of madder)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many

 

Over the years, I've taken many dye workshops; some natural, some chemical.  The best workshops have been with Michelle Wipplinger.  I admire and respect her so much for her knowledge and commitment to natural dyeing (and she is a sincerely wonderful person).  I've had the honor of staying with her while visiting Seattle and the last time I was there, got to see her beautiful studio at Earthues.  When I first got to know Michelle, she and her staff were working out of her basement.  Now, Earthues and Michelle are known far and wide.  I'm really pleased with the colors I'm getting with Earthues and plan on working my way through my current supply of dye matter, before deciding what to use for the rest of the yarn.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I for one am glad to be tearing off the August page on the calendar.  Fall is my favorite season and after the summer we've had here in Kentucky, I'm even happier than usual to see leaves turning and cool weather on the horizon.