Natural Dye Bath

I love the spring when coreopsis is blooming along the roadsides and in fields. It is the one time of the year that my dyeing desires turn from acid dyes to the natural colors from plants and bugs (Lac and cochineal). I like a little more plant to fiber to concentrate and deepen the colors. Last year I also acquired a large basket of Brazilwood chunks and madder root. I love seeing the colors of the dyebaths and then the colors of the mordanted wool that emerges from the dyepot!

Coreopsis: I collected about 1.25 # of coreopsis flower heads and simmered them in a stainless steel pot for about 1 hour. I let the dyebath cool overnight and then used cheesecloth to strain out the flowers and bits.

The fiber was a combination of Polwarth fleece from Scotland and various blends of rovings and top: Targhee, Targhee/silk/bamboo, Merino/bamboo/silk, and BFL. I divided up the fiber so that it was fairly evenly divided into 4 oz servings of mixed fibers.

I used four mordants: alum with cream of tartar, chrome (no assist), copper with vinegar, and tin with cream of tartar. Each mordant bath was set up using a stainless steel pot filled with city water and then the mordant was allowed to dissolve as the water heated up. Once the mordant was completely dissolved and the water getting close to simmer, I introduced the wool, pressed it under the surface, and let the pot temperature come up to a low simmer. The fiber gets moved around a couple of times and simmers for about 45-60 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let the pot cool overnight. The next morning, I rinse the wool gently in cool water, squeeze out excess water, and lay it out to dry or go straight to the dye bath. Mordanted wool can be dried and used at a later time.

I now have a dye bath and 4oz servings of wool and wool blends for each mordant. Now it’s time for magic! I add extra water so the dye bath will accommodate 1# of wool and turn on the heat. Once the dye bath is at a low simmer, I introduce all the wool at once and watch the colors strike! The different mordants bring out different dye colors. Alum makes a soft buttery yellow. Copper yields a more coppery yellow with orangey tones. The chrome is my all time favorite with the coreopsis with the rich red/orange color! The surprise was the tin. On the fleece, it is a bright orangey yellow but on the Targhee/bamboo/silk, it is more tan. The bamboo resists the dye completely.

I used the same method for some Brazilwood chips. I simmered the chips for about an hour and then let the dye cool over night. The wood chips were dried and await the next dye bath. Yes, they can be reused! Wool was mordanted the same way and all was put into the dye bath at the same time. Copper mordant on white wool gives the wool a distinctive green tinge. When this green wool hit the dye bath, it turned a brilliant purple! What a surprise! The other colors were the more expected shades of pinks to roses.
Now to decide how to blend and spin these natural colors!

Finished and onto the next spin!

The last entry I had started spinning 2 colors of Corriedale blends. The blue aqua is 55/45 Corriedale and fawn Suri alpaca and the grey is 50/50 Corriedale and grey Suri alpaca. I also had that skein of silk dyed by Dicentra. My original plan of spinning all singles and then plying 1/4 each grey/blue, grey/grey, blue/blue, and a blue/grey/silk sort of happened.

I ended up with 10.5 oz of 1086 yards in 6 skeins. Starting from the left: 2 ply aqua, 2 ply aqua/silk, 2 ply aqua/grey, 3 ply aqua/grey/silk, 2 ply grey/silk, and finally 2 ply grey. No sure what it will turn into yet, but it is quite lovely! Maybe a large lacy shawl. But then again, a rosepath twill woven shawl might be just the thing! Make this the warp and black silk or Tencel for the weft.

The next spin I’ve been working on is Australian grey Merino. This was a lovely grease fleece that I ordered along with some other fibers, in particular, lapp silk which is another story. I scoured the fleece and carded it with my Pat Green drum carder. I left a bit of the grease in so the spinning was easy and the fibers didn’t slip away from me. It is a dark variable grey at about 40wpi. I only have about 8 oz of this lovely fleece. So I am also spinning 50/50 yak/silk at the same weight to ply with the Merino. I found that cross lacing on the flier eased the draw in so I can spin even finer without working too hard on it. So far, I have 2 bobbins of the Merino and about 1/4 of the yak/merino. Off to spin the rest of the bobbin so I can ply the Merino with the yak/silk and see how I like it. But, what is not to like!

 

What are you spinning?

I have a couple of spinning projects I’m working on. I love to spin very fine yarns but that means a 2 ply yarn is lace weight. I have some Corriedale/Suri blends from Far Out Farm in Tennessee. I have 2 colors: 4 oz blue grey and 4 oz aqua. I spun them with the intention of plying the them together. But I thought a bit of shine might be nice. I had a hank of silk dyed by Dicentra Designs. She creates fabulous deep saturated colored rovings. I had selected a 4 oz hank that was dyed with rich greens, blues, and golds. I spun it as a cobweb weight yarn with the intention of plying it with cashmere I’m spinning on supported Russian spindles. And then I changed my mind and the ball of silk had been sitting.

The current plan is to spin all as singles. Then 1/4 will be spun as 2 ply aqua, 1/4 will be 2 ply blue grey, 1/4 will be 2 ply grey and aqua, and then the last 1/4 is 3 ply grey/aqua/silk. I can’t decide if I like the 3 ply or not. The silk is fine enough that the 3 ply is not any heaver than the 2 ply. I’ll keep spinning and plying and see how it looks when it’s done.

 

We’re Going to SAFF 2017!

SAFF-logo-web

OK FOLKS, THIS IS THE BIG ONE!
This is the show that we get so worked up about — it has gotten so big and it is so exciting. Also, I love the Asheville area and this year we are staying at a lovely campground near the Ag Center. We have so many friends in this area that this show has become a great way to reconnect with all of them. Hope to see you there!

SAFF 2017 Dates:
Thursday, October 26, classes only, no shopping
Friday, October 27 – (9am – 6pm)
Saturday, October 28 – (9am – 6pm)
Sunday, October 29 – (9am – 4pm)

For more information, please visit:
www.saffsite.org
www.facebook.com/southeasteranimalfiberfair/
twitter.com/SAFiberFair

CANCELLED: We Are Going to the 2017 Florida Fiber In!

The show is cancelled this year, thanks to hurricane Irma. Sorry to miss everyone, but we’ll see you all next year.


 

FiberIn Sheep

This is one of my favorite shows that we do! Yes, it is close to home, but I love it best because it is super relaxed, very unstructured, and is more like a slumber party with your friends at the LYS than most other fiber festivals. Volunteers give free demos, there’s a fashion show, bake sale, public sale table, and on Sunday morning, a “Yard Sale” where you can sell off that extra fiber and yarn to a good home.

14th Annual Florida Fiber In is September 15-17, 2017.

for more information please visit:
http://floridafiberin.org/
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/florida-fiber-in
https://www.facebook.com/Florida-Fiber-In-146782598686450/

Hope to see you there!

Going to the Georgia Fiber Fest?

georgia fiber fest 2017

The 2017 Georgia Fiber Fest runs Thursday, September 7, to Saturday, September 9, in the beautiful Columbus Convention & Trade Center.

Ewephoric Fibers has a booth for the third year running and both Franklin Habit and Galina Khmeleva are teaching classes this year. Admission is $5.

For more information, and to sign up for classes, please visit their webpage at:
http://www.gafiberfest.com/index.html

Hope to see you there!

Fall 2015 Class Schedule

Drop Spindle by Michael Wade via flickr
Drop Spindle by Michael Wade via flickr
Drop Spindle by Michael Wade via flickr

Ewephoric Fibers is teaming with Yarn Works to bring you a full schedule of classes. Visit Yarn Works’ website to register.

Note: A spinning wheel may be reserved for any class if the student notifies us ahead of time.

 

Spinning for a Project
September 17 and October 1, 2015, 5 – 8 pm
$75, materials included
So many of us spin yarn just to spin and then wonder what to make with the yarn. In this class, students will pick a small project (hat, scarf, or socks), an appropriate fiber, and begin spinning during the first class. There will be a discussion of what fibers and yarn weights are best for your chosen project, how to estimate how much fiber will be needed, and suggestions on how to keep consistent with spinning the yarn. This class will meet twice. During the first class you will pick your project, fiber and begin spinning your yarn. During the second class you will cast on for your project or, if you have already started knitting or crocheting, provide inspiration to your classmates.

You must have a wheel in good working condition and be able to spin a continuous yarn. A pattern and 6 oz of fiber will be provided by the instructor.

 

Beginning Spinning
September 26, October 3 & 17, 1 – 4 pm
$125, materials included, spindles and wheels provided
Learn to spin on a drop spindle and spinning wheel. This class will meet three times. During the first class students will learn to spin on a drop spindle, to name the parts of a spinning wheel and how they work, and will begin spinning on the wheel. During the next two classes, students will learn about different wools and other fibers, roving, top, and other wool preparations and will continue to hone their spinning skills. By the end of the class, students will be able to spin a continuous thread.

Spindles and wheels available to take home for a $100 refundable deposit. Grease fleece and 4 oz of roving will be provided by the instructor.

 

Fabulous Luxury Fibers
November 8, 2015, 1 – 4 pm
$75, materials included
Let me introduce you to some of the most luxurious fibers in the world! We will spin cashmere, yak, silk, angora, baby camel and blends of these exquisite fibers. Before the spinning starts, there will be a discussion of the qualities of each and how best to spin them into amazing yarns to use to highlight very special projects. You will learn how to adjust your wheels and handle the fibers for a successful foray into the world of luxury yarns.

You must have a wheel in good working condition and be able to spin a continuous yarn. Luxury fiber will be provided by the instructor. Wine, mimosas, and cheese will be provided.

Ewephoric Trunk Show

Join us at Yarnworks on Friday, December 12, from 4 to 8 pm for an evening of crafty goodness! Find the perfect gift for the fiber crafters on your holiday shopping list. (Or pick up a little something special for yourself.)

New Class Schedule!

Ewephoric Fibers is teaming with Yarn Works to bring you a full schedule of classes. Visit Yarn Works’ website to register.

Note: A spinning wheel may be reserved if the student notifies us ahead of time.

Here is a list of our classes:

Spinning Beaded Yarn
August 2, 2014, 10:30 am – 3 pm
$50, materials included
Lots of us love knitting with beads. We can place the beads exactly where we want them. But if you don’t care where the beads end up, there are wonderful yarns with the beads already attached, if you are willing to pay the price! And what if you love the color of the beads or the yarn, but not both together or you want a specific yarn with beads but can’t find it. This class will teach you how to spin your own beaded yarn. We will explore two different methods for placing beads while spinning.

You must be able to spin a continuous thread and bring a spinning wheel in good working condition. Fiber, beads and written material will be provided by the instructor.

 

Spinning Silken Yarns
August 11, 2014, 5 – 8 pm
$50, materials included
So many people are intimidated by the thought of spinning silk! It is such a fabulous fiber: shiny, soft, strong, drapey. It takes dyes with a brilliance and depth rarely seen in other fibers. And it is available in a variety of different preparations which completely change the appearance of the yarn. So why are spinners so afraid of it? This class will introduce you to the two most common preparations of silk: top and hankies. You will learn how to spin them with ease and confidence! We will start with the easiest to spin, tussah, progress through Bombyx top, and finish off with hankies.

You must be able to spin a continuous thread and bring a spinning wheel in good working condition. Fiber and written material will be provided by the instructor.

 

Cool Fibers for Hot Summer Spinning
August 18 & 25, 2014, 5 – 8 pm
$60, materials included
Summers in Florida are hot, hot, hot! Even with air conditioning it’s hard to escape the heat — and spinning wool can still be less than appealing. So let’s spin some fabulous non-wool fibers that are great for summer yarns! We will spin fibers that are often thought of as being hard to spin like bamboo or cotton or just old fashioned like flax. Learn to spin beautiful, cool summer yarns that you can use for knitting, crocheting, or weaving. Imagine wearing a hand spun, hand knit shirt for work or a light weight shawl perfect for those air conditioned restaurants and movie theaters. This class will explore fibers over two weeks. We will start with flax, bamboo, and black bamboo. The second class will cover tencel, hemp and cotton.

You must be able to spin a continuous thread and bring a spinning wheel in good working condition. Fiber and written material will be provided by the instructor.