Saturday morning I had awesome fun with Alice, Ali and Jen dyeing up some fibre and yarn. We used an oven-bake method which I have found to work best for me with fibre: to set the dyes you need heat, and wet, hot fibre is just asking to be felted if you let it move at all. I experimented with the microwave but found I couldn’t get the fibre to heat evenly without moving it around, or get it opened out flat to cool without risking burning myself. Using oven trays, you can leave it to cool completely without movement and it works very well. I’m planning to write up the technique properly with photos etc soon.
The fiber I dyed I have called ‘Cherry Ripe’ with its yummy blend of dark chocolate and cherry and just a hint of white coconut. (Cherry ripes were one of my favourite chocolate bars at home and I always pick up a couple if I’m at the Australia Shop!).
Once we have spun up our fiber it’s going to be auctioned off to raise money for the Having Hope fund. So if you fancy a bit of Cherry Ripe for yourself - watch this space!
May 12th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Looks delicious to me :D and would love to see how you cook up fabulous colours this way..
May 12th, 2008 at 11:21 am
*covets*
Will you take children in lieu of money for the auction? :-P
May 12th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
So pretty! I bet it would spin up into gorgeous yarn!
May 12th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Very nice dye job.
I’m kicking myself for not eating a cherry ripe while I was back in Aus recently!
May 13th, 2008 at 8:44 am
You definitely should have! And you should have brought a hundred back with you :-P
Children Kate? I’m not sure the Cancer Research Society takes them - but I can check if you like :-D
May 13th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
the colors look delicious. cherry ripes are my favourite too!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Gorgeous!
May 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I would love to use my oven to dye fiber! The microwave doesn’t work for me either, and I”d love to know your method. I’ll watch this space. =)