Handspun for Embroidery

I'm always interested in handspinner.co.uk, the newsletter run by Sheila Dixon that contains all the handspinning information that you'll ever need.  She manages to find all the little interesting nuggets from the web to keep all us handspinners up to speed.  This month was very interesting, being introduced to Liz from Dragonflylotus Handspun Thread, who spins handspun for embroidery.

I was first inspired to try spinning after attending a series of workshops by a textile artist in Liverpool called Ann McTavish, who is unfortunately no longer with us, and information about her and her incredible work is sparce on the internet.  There is one piece that I found, this work, called Redemption which is on display at the Liverpool Cathedral

 Ann's work used the most incredible yarns, and was the reason I wanted to create my own, so I'm really interested to see handspun used for embroidery  It's good for us all to keep our options open too, as spinners and remember that our yarns can be used in many different ways.

If you don't already subscribe to handspinner, then whyever not?  Here's the link

http://hand-spinning-news.com/

On the subject of using fibres in alternative ways, Sue Bentley from Lynwood Crafts on etsy is also a hand embroiderer and produces innovative and original wall hangings.  This particular hanging, Daisy Meadow, uses these Lazykate Hand dyed fibres in the sky. 

 

It's a really beautiful piece of work, using these Tabitha fibres

http://www.etsy.com/listing/102314303/embroidered-and-felted-hanging-daisy

take a look at her work on etsy, I'm sure you'll find it inspiring.

Speak soon

Do your own Dyeing!

So the last few weeks have been filled with spinning, spinning and a bit more because my wool is now on sale at Wickerwool at Cedar Farm Craft Centre in Mawdesley, Lancs.  If you live in the North West, a visit to Cedar Farm has got to be on the top of your list of places to see.  I've put a link cos you know, I do love a link.

As all knitters know, it's very important to be able to squeeze the yarn, some of you may want to smell it. Although I know you probably don't admit that to many people. So I'm really pleased to have the wool out for people to see it.

What we all love is a feast for the eyes and inspiration and there's plenty of that at cedar farm, including Vintage Fair, Farmers market, artists and crafts people, and a coffee roastery for all your caffeine needs.  And then there's my wool if you're passing and fancy a squeeze.



http://www.cedarfarm.net/

The Food Shop  

The Potting Shed

Ruth at Wickerfish, where Wickerwool is based

As all knitters know, it's very important to be able to squeeze the yarn, some of you may want to smell it. Although I know you probably don't admit that to many people.  What we all love is a feast for the eyes and inspiration and there's plenty of that at cedar farm, including Vintage Fair, Farmers market, artists and crafts people, and a coffee roastery for all your caffeine needs.  And then there's my wool if you're passing and fancy a squeeze.

I thought I would post some info about dyeing with acid dyes.  Lots of people ask me about it, and there are very easy ways to begin without having to go to huge expense.

Start of with a steel pan.  The pans that I used I got from car boot sales.  I didn't find them hard to come across and were relatively cheap at £5.  If you can't find a second hand one, George Weil offer a 12 litre stainless steel pot for £45

http://www.georgeweil.com/ProductDetail.aspx?Menu=1&Level1=75&Level2=1155&Level3=0&PID=4540

For quick and easy dyeing, acid dyes are a great way to get started.  These dyes are fixed with vinegar so you'll probably be able to get going by just visiting your kitchen cupboard.  A small pot of acid dye will cost you around £5, George Weil is a good supplier, as is Art Van go, 

http://www.georgeweil.com/ProductGroup.aspx?Menu=1&Level1=75&Level2=1149&Level3=0&PID=6262

http://www.artvango.co.uk/

For your first attempt, you need to remember to be careful because you are dealing with chemicals, so use your common sense.  Put down newspaper, wear gloves to protect your fingers from the dye.  Don't use any implements that you would use to cook with and don't cook your tea at the same time as you dye!

Choose your colours, pick just one to start with if you like.  You can go into a lot of measuring/ weighing and worrying but we want stress free dyeing for our first attempt so I suggest fill your pot with enough water to cover your yarn, drop in a big glug of vinegar and put your yarn or fibre in.  Sprinkle a little dye over your fibre, not too much because you only want enough dye to colour your fibre, not have tons left over in the pot.

Your pot may look like this

Turn the heat on, and bring the temperature of the pot up to just before boiling and then let the dye 'cook' for about 20 minutes.  Then you're done.  Simple as that.

Let your dye pot cool and then hang the fibres over the line, you might use a chopstick or two to help you lift it out.    When it's dry you can start to spin or felt with it, it really is that easy.

If you have dye left in your pot, don't worry at all, there will probably be enough vinegar left in to fix the dye, so put some more fibres in and give it another go. This leftover dye water is called the exhaust.  This second dye will be must paler and totally different than the one you started with.

You really want to throw the dye water away when all the dye is out of the water, then in reduces the impact on the environment.  You must throw the dye water into a drain, don't put it down your sink.  Although it's a fun thing to do, remember to use your common sense all the way through the process.


At this stage, it's very much suck it and see, so just give it a try and enjoy it.  I'm sure you'll love it once you get going and then you can try different ways of dyeing, mixing different colours, etc.  This is just to get you going, and I'm sure once you get started you'll be completely addicted. If you have a go, let me see your images and inspire others in the process.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lazykate-Handspun-Yarn/150686551664405