Class Highlight: Dyeing with Queen Anne's Lace

Dyeing with natural dyes is a bit of a voyage into the unknown, and that is exactly the beauty of it. Just as each Autumn's display of color is unique or each Summer's balance of refreshing rain and smothering heat keeps us guessing, so too are we at the mercy of nature when we choose to dye with her bounty. Oh, we know, in general, what we should expect, but so many other variables come into play, that the exact depth, shade and intensity of color is truly unknown until the plants are cooked and the wool is dyed.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of leading a new group of dyers into the unknown as we prepared dyestock of Queen Anne's Lace, and plunked in some sock-weight wool yarn at the Roycroft's Powerhouse. Unlike other dyeing methods, this one is a bit slower, and we had a great time chatting and getting to know one another as we waited.

Occasionally, we checked the dyeing progress!

Everyone was shocked and pleased at the beautiful, soft yellow we produced!

And the yarn was truly stunning. . . .

A little friend hitched a ride on the Queen Anne's Lace, and watched the magic happen.

Everyone left with a hot mess of yarn that needed to cool and be rinsed. Hopefully, I'll get some great reports today as yarn is finished and dried!

Our next dyeing class is on Saturday, September 14 from 10-noon, and we'll be using acid dyes to hand-paint our yarn in beautiful Autumn colors! To register, visit the Roycroft Corporations' classes page. You can also find my upcoming knitting and spinning classes there.