Sagebrush
As a lover of plants, the idea of dyeing using natural plant dyes has always been appealing to me. At MDS&W there was a booth of Navajo spinners and weavers who were selling native vegetal dyes. I bought a bag of Juniper Mistletoe and a bag of Sagebrush.
Yesterday I pulled out the crockpot and the bag of Sagebrush. The best part about the process of dyeing with natural dyes is the lovely herbal smell. Sagebrush is a plant in the Artemisia family, a very aromatic group of plants. The color's not half bad either.
This yarn is destined to become a pair of socks from one of Cookie's wonderful patterns. I'm thinking Thelonious. I've been looking for the right yarn for these socks. Sagebrush should do the job nicely.
Next up, Juniper Mistletoe.
That color is gorgeous. Did you have to use a mordant?
Posted by: Carole | May 10, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Just amazing what those natural dyes can produce: can't wait to see what you come up with next!
Posted by: Ashley | May 10, 2007 at 03:04 PM
How pretty. I love the idea of using natural dyes. So far, I've only dyed with Kool Aid because I have not desire to try chemical dyes.
Posted by: Karen | May 10, 2007 at 03:07 PM
I wouldn't want to use chemicals either. Altho I've never tried dying. Love the color you got. Will Juniper Mistletoe come out green? Will be back to see. ;-)
Posted by: Rhonda the Stitchingnut | May 10, 2007 at 03:27 PM
That's a beautiful colour.
Posted by: Asaknitter | May 10, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Really lovely color.
Posted by: Cara | May 10, 2007 at 04:03 PM
Man, you're speedy... already wound and everything! It's beautiful. I really wanted to be there to see it done. Can I come for the Mistletoe? I promise not to kiss anyone but Smudge...
Posted by: Bev | May 10, 2007 at 04:10 PM
That is a gorgeous golden buttery yellow. Really lovely!
Posted by: tiennie | May 10, 2007 at 04:44 PM
That color came out lovely! What did you use as your base yarn?
Posted by: Ruth | May 10, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Very pretty!
Posted by: Cookie | May 10, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Pretty!!
Posted by: scout | May 10, 2007 at 08:07 PM
oh that is just gorgeous.
I have a bunch of natural dyes that I need to try...I can't wait to see the juniper mistletoe!
Posted by: Stephanie | May 10, 2007 at 08:07 PM
To answer a few questions:
Carole: I did not use a mordant. I did soak the yarn overnight in a solution of about 2 quarts of water with two tbsp. white vinegar.
Rhonda: I was told that the Juiper Mistletoe would come out a greenish-grey. I can't wait to try it!
Ruth: The Base yarn is Reynolds Soft Sea Wool. It is similar weight and look to Louet Gems, but it is much cheaper and not nearly as soft - although it did soften up after dyeing and rising in Soak.
Posted by: Kirsten | May 10, 2007 at 08:29 PM
Gorgeous!You know lots of sage brush grows down here in Texas...
Posted by: La Verna | May 10, 2007 at 08:51 PM
What a beautiful color!! Now I want to try some natural dye.
Posted by: Schrodinger | May 10, 2007 at 09:54 PM
Wow, so subtle and soft looking...
Posted by: Heather | May 10, 2007 at 10:40 PM
Oh sage is a wonderful smell. I used to know an Ojibwa man that did healings with sage. He burned it as an incense, it smelled wonderful.
It's interesting that it turned out yellow. Normally sage is green or white. I think you can use pokeberry and that makes like a purplish color.
I love the color! It reminds me of being in the country!
Posted by: Teresa | May 10, 2007 at 11:32 PM
I'm so jealous. I almost bought a bunch of natural dyes at my local fiber event last month, I came home with only cochineal bugs, I wish I had gotten the brazil wood and others. Love it, just love it!!
Posted by: Jamisyn | May 10, 2007 at 11:40 PM
Oh wow, lovely!
I need to find some sage, oh yum.
Posted by: Wendy | May 11, 2007 at 12:01 AM
You will make some gorgeous socks from that yarn! I love the color!
Posted by: nova | May 11, 2007 at 12:07 AM
Very pretty!
Posted by: Ruth | May 11, 2007 at 06:52 AM
very pretty!!!! those will make some amazing thelonious socks!!!
Posted by: stacey | May 11, 2007 at 08:11 AM
I am so all about the au-naturelle - the dyed yarn turned out beautifully. Can't wait to see it knit up as Theloniuses!
Posted by: knittingphilistine | May 12, 2007 at 07:54 AM
You're a true artist Ms K! Stunning use of colour.
Posted by: Nora | May 12, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Beautiful. I plan to take a natural dyeing class at my LYS this summer....and now I am even more excited for it.
Posted by: Christy / Not Hip | May 13, 2007 at 11:58 PM