Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
immersing presoaked fibers in dye and hot water. The goal is to keep the water hot, not necessarily
simmering, so this might be a good outdoors project on a summer day. For stovetop dyeing, you
want it to simmer consistently for 30 minutes to an hour or less, depending on the color results you
are aiming for.
Hand Painting with Dye
For even more control in your final product and the opportunity for even more creativity, consider
hand panting the colors. One method involves laying strips of soaked roving onto plastic wrap,
literally painting your dye mixes on in whatever pattern or blend you'd like, then rolling it up in
the wrap and steaming it in a canner.
You will never be able to fully control the colors and patterns you develop when dyeing fibers.
I think that may be a big part of its appeal.
Hand painting yarn is a lot of fun and gives you more control over the end product. Wrap in plastic wrap and
steam to set the dye.
(Photo courtesy of Jen Dickert at SupernaturalNutrition.net)
Spinning Yarn
As long as humans have used tools, they have spun yarn. Spindles have been discovered that pre-
date the wheel. Maybe the spindle even led to the wheel! At its most basic, spinning fiber into yarn
can be achieved by hand. Tools will almost always make a job easier, but start by handspinning a
bit of fiber to get a feel for it. From there, you can slowly move up the proverbial ladder until you
find your spinning niche.
