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Natural Dyes

Bog Myrtle

Entered on November 14, 2019

Bog 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.

Filed Under: Natural Dyes

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Socks are back in stock! 🎉 Our bespokely spun M Socks are back in stock! 🎉
Our bespokely spun Mohair socks with cushioned soles are in the online shop now .. link in bio ☝️
This time dyed with Skye nettles, tansy and madder.

#naturallydyedsocks #plantdyes #naturaldyestudio
✨We have had to close the online shop for some m ✨We have had to close the online shop for some maintenance issues today. 
✨To be honest it may stay closed for a few weeks.. life is throwing us a curve ball of yarn again! I am awaiting a date for more surgery which hopefully will hopefully be within 5 weeks ish (?!🤞)
🛍Our bricks and mortar shop has its shelves stocked and it’s doors open so please come and see us or… if you know there is something you want or need just message or call and we can send the yarn out to you. 
⭐️We will keep you posted as our plans firm up and thanks you as always for being the best customers ever! 😘
✨One of the things we love about the fibre world ✨One of the things we love about the fibre world is variety!
From spinning, felting, weaving, macrame, dyeing, knitting and more!
✨Sometimes it is the swinging hook of crochet that draws me in. 
✨Particularly if your mind is restless. The repetitive motion of making little crochet flowers ticks all the boxes of calming creativity.
✨These little flowers are made using the left overs of the healing shawl kit.
✨Destined to be a healing cowl the whole process is offering a meditative rhythm which is a real comfort.
✨I’ll let you know how the cowl turns out.. it may well end up being a blanket I’m enjoying it so much 💚⭐️🌱✨

#crochet #healing #mindfulcrochet #shilasdair #naturallydyedyarn #plantdyed #healingplants
✨🌱local dye plants 🌱✨ 🌱And whoosh… ✨🌱local dye plants 🌱✨
🌱And whoosh… just like that Skye is green and lush with bountiful dye plants!
🌱it’s hard not to get a little giddy with so many colour opportunities around!
🌱when we first took over Shilasdair we shied away from doing too much of these more subtle colours but now it is our passion!
🌱harvesting the dye plants on your own doorstep connects you to the land in a very special way. 
🌱If you are out and about this weekend see how many dye plants you have on your doorstep x 

#naturaldyes #localdyeplants #secretcolour #secretcolor #scottishdyeplants #scottishdyestudio #isleofskye #shilasdair #isleofskyenaturaldyecompany
✨🌱nettle ✨ ✨today we are dyeing a batch o ✨🌱nettle ✨
✨today we are dyeing a batch of socks (hurray!) in nettle.. an amazing healing plant which is well known to us all!
✨Jean Dow -a Scottish herbalist we have worked with-described this stinging plant to us as a powerhouse!
✨”she delivers true nourishment at every level; physical, emotional and spiritual. Known for her rich mineral and vitamin content. She is physically restorative, bringing protection and resilience against disease.”
💪💪💪

#nettles #nettlepower #nettlehealing #healingplants #naturaldyes #shilasdair #isleofskyenaturaldyecompany #dyestudio
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