Jen was our dye-master for the day, mixing the colors and tending the indigo pot, which is a fickle bit of chemistry. Yarn had to be slowly lowered into the pot to avoid introducing oxygen, and by the same stroke, when a skein was removed, Jen quickly popped a bowl under it to keep the drips from introducing oxygen - a long process for our dedicated leader.
And this is the said fickle bit of chemistry. It looks like an experiment gone wrong, only this is exactly what it's supposed to be like when the pot is healthy and full of dye potential.
And gloves are advised unless you don't mind your hands becoming the same shade as your fiber. Notice the deep indigo skeins already hanging in the back.
We had two acid-dye pots, one red and one yellow, in addition to the indigo pot. Although acid dye is designed for protein fiber like silk and wool, some adventurous folks did a tie-dye combo using both indigo and acid dyes with fun results.
The indigo pot was giving such deep rich colors, some folks dipped quickly for royal blue and variegated results. Everyone seemed to have a plan in mind, so I look forward to seeing how we use these skeins. Mine, a deep blue 8/2 Tencel, is on the left.
And then there was the aptly named death-by-chocolate table. The selection was varied but all chocolate. The favorite seemed to be the Kentucky Derby bars, which were a pecan-pie in the center with tollhouse cookie on the outside - recipe to appear in a fall newsletter.
And this is the said fickle bit of chemistry. It looks like an experiment gone wrong, only this is exactly what it's supposed to be like when the pot is healthy and full of dye potential.
And gloves are advised unless you don't mind your hands becoming the same shade as your fiber. Notice the deep indigo skeins already hanging in the back.
We had two acid-dye pots, one red and one yellow, in addition to the indigo pot. Although acid dye is designed for protein fiber like silk and wool, some adventurous folks did a tie-dye combo using both indigo and acid dyes with fun results.
We got a little silly near the end as we waited for yarns in dye baths or indigo skeins to aerate. Gloria pulled out a silk blank and asked for suggestions, and someone produced a roll of vinyl tape so she could tie off sections. This is the result.
It was a fabulous day of messy (read indigo) dyeing out of doors, munching chocolate all day long and coming home with colorful yarns and fiber.
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