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A dyers diary

Peace Bauble

March 2022

There is no need for me to write about the challenges facing the world at this current time.  Knitting offers me comfort and solace whilst my mind is whirling. I have uploaded a free bauble pattern to the online shop with a thought that it may offer you comfort and solidarity.

https://shilasdair-yarns.com/product/peace-bauble/

 

 

Dyeing with Reeds (Phragmites australis or Cuilc in Gaelic)

September 2021

The common reed is a traditional Scottish dye plant that really conjures up the magic of natural dyes. The reeds like alkaline wet marshy land. Here on Skye they generally grow up  to about 1.5 metres although in less wild weather locations can reach up to 4 metres tall. The reed beds provide a thriving and safe home for so much wildlife. They are invasive and a real spreader once they take hold so not ideal for planting in your dye garden but if you can find a patch locally already taken hold I definitely recommend having a go and dyeing with the purple flower heads of this plant.

Research shows the roots, leaves and seeds of the reed as are all edible but I have never tried and wouldn’t recommend without further guidance!The reeds themselves have been used for so many things over time: roof thatching, basket making, broom making, paper making.  Here on Skye it has been documented that fishermen used the reed for rope making.

For the dye pot it is the unopened flower heads that we use, which here on Skye are purple and sleek in mid August but that may vary on where you live especially if you have a warmer climate. Once you have gathered your seed heads pop them in your pot, cover with water and heat slowly for about an hour – you will soon see a lovely purple liquor develop.  Allow it to cool and then add your yarn, fabric or other textiles to be dyed.  Our samples shown below are 100% wool mordanted with 12 % alum.  Heat the dye bath gently for another hour and you will see the wool takes up the colour readily. The lighter green sample was removed from the pot after and hour, the darker green was left in over night.

We then experimented with the ph – so often colours in the dye bath will shift depending on a low or high ph. By adding vinegar to the dye bath and lowering the ph to 3 we dyed another wool sample which remained purple and didn’t turn in to the beautiful greens above. This acidic dyed sample is not stable as a colour, but it is a fun experiment and a good example of how one dye pot can produce such different shades of colour depending on ph. Taking the science out of it I just love the magic of pulling different shades out of one pot!

Latest Entries
    • Bog MyrtleBog Myrtle
      November 14, 2019Natural DyesBog myrtle Bog myrtle was one of the first dye plants that I experimented with many years ago using nothing but my intuition and limited dye knowledge. I was very free and easy with my methods but always got a pleasant result, and this in turn encouraged me on in my natural dye pursuits. Since these experiments I have researched and learnt a lot more about this Skye shrub that grows all around us here at Shilasdair. Bog myrtle or Myrica gale is a woody deciduous perennial shrub from the Myricaceae family. It thrives in damp or boggy soils, which explains why we have so much of it here! As with many of these ancient plants people have used them in the past for all sorts of uses – the Vikings are said to have used Bog myrtle to treat depression and poor memory and to give a sense of well-being. We use the leaves ourselves in a tea and on Skye it makes an excellent midge repellent. But it is for it’s secret dye colour that I have my strongest connection with the plant. We tend to harvest the bog myrtle in late August but it is still possible to sneak in a final forrage as late as October before the first frosts have arrived. We use not just the leaves but also the woody twigs and stems. Without these twigs a lovely warm yellow colour can be achieved. As can been seen above. Just an over nights soaking in cool peat water can produce a yellow dye – however further heating unlocks the rich tannins which will aid us in our pursuit of a richer colour. For it is the warm khaki green that we just love to get from bog myrtle. After long and slow heating we dye our fibre in the yellow dye liquor and then leave to cool over night. The following day we reheat the dye pot and do a post mordant iron bath where we add just 2 % of dissolved ferrous sulphate. Bringing the pot back up to a low heat for 20 minutes the colour transforms before our eyes to a warm khaki green – soft and earthy it is all the more special for coming from under our feet on the hills here on Skye....

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🌱foraging ✨ 🌱there are so many processes t 🌱foraging ✨
🌱there are so many processes to natural dyeing which is fantastic as you will never be bored, never learn everything and constantly be amazed.
🌱but I do think my favourite part of the process is gathering our own dye stuffs. 
🌱unlocking secret colour from your own garden and landscape connects you to the rhythm of the of land.
🌱it connects you to history and tradition. You are revealing the colours of the past, the colours your specific ancestors produced in their dye pots.
🌱celebrating the subtleties of your own local colour is the most satisfying thing… if you have never had a go and are thinking about starting your own exploration into natural dyes I urge you to dive in x

Photo by the uber talented @jenrosephotos 

#foraging #naturaldyes #localcolour #localdyeplants #isleofskyenaturaldyecompany #ecocolour #plantcolour
🌱The Quiraing mittens and cowl are go! 🌱Yar 🌱The Quiraing mittens and cowl are go! 
🌱Yarn combinations for both patterns are available from our online shop (link in bio).
🌱Taking inspiration from the stunning Skye landscape @harveyknits designs are a joy to knit…with clear and considered instructions.
🌱Knitted with our Smuid 4 ply, a blend of Blue faced Leicester and Gotland, the double layered cowl and mittens are soft, squishy and cosy.
🌱There are 6 colour combos to choose from so something for everyone!
🌱that’s my sales pitch done! We really hope you enjoy them and thank you @harveyknits for being such an amazing designer! X

#shilasdair 
#mindfulknitting 
#naturallydyedyarn 
#naturaldyestudio 
#quiraing
#inspiredbynature 
#isleofskyenaturaldyecompany
✨The Quiraing cowl by @harveyknits. Kits and pat ✨The Quiraing cowl by @harveyknits. Kits and pattern released tomorrow! 
✨I love, love, love this cowl and can’t take it off! Soft, squidgy, warm .. it is the perfect wee neck warmer for Spring.
✨kits for the Quiraing cowl and mittens will be live on our site tomorrow from 9am (link in bio)
✨patterns will be available for both the cowl and mittens on @harveyknits site and if you are speedy you can sign up to her newsletter today and get a discount for both patterns-what is not to like! 🌱✨🧶

#smuid #cowl #naturallydyed #naturallydyedyarn #britishwool #britishyarn #plantdyed #maddieharveydesigns #isleofskyenaturaldyecompany #isleofskye #quiraing #quiraingcowl
✨Here is a pic of the wonderful Quiraing mittens ✨Here is a pic of the wonderful Quiraing mittens : kits and patterns being released at the end of the week. 
✨Seriously the cosiest mittens I have ever worn! 
✨ @harveyknits has designed these double layer mitts in our squishy Smuid 4ply. 
✨The lace outer let’s the coloured inner peek through and they are oh so satisfying to knit!
✨there is a matching cowl too- mine is blocking as we speak so I will pop some pictures up tomorrow!

#maddieharveydesigns #mittens #lacework #naturallydyedyarn #plantdyed #secretcolour #unlockthecolour #plantmagic #britishwool #naturaldyestudio #shilasdair #isleofskyenaturaldyecompany #isleofskye
✨It’s a big week for Smuid! ✨Our Gotland an ✨It’s a big week for Smuid! 
✨Our Gotland and Blue faced Leicester 4 ply which is getting bundled up into kits which will be released at the end of the week… I think it’s okay to say that the two patterns designed by @harveyknits are a cowl and mitts 😍 each using 50g of two colours of Smuid…
✨soft and squidgy in the cleverest design ever… it’s exciting!

#smuid #naturallydyed #naturallydyedyarn #plantdyes #plantcolour #foragedcolour #naturaldyes #naturaldyestudio #scottishcraft
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