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Hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:30am to 4pm and Saturday from 10am to 3pm Please note the shop will be closed the week of April 2nd
Naturally Dyed Scarves

Naturally Dyed Scarves

One of my goals for the fall is to get back to some dyeing. Years ago I took a workshop in the Toronto west end back yard of a lovely young woman, Kerri Westlake. We were in her dye garden and we made two silk scarves... one with a whole array of natural dye stuff that was then steam set, and a second one with an indigo vat. It was a glorious afternoon. Her website is still up at Westlake Knits  but I think the company is inactive. 

So I was delighted when I discovered these natural dye kits from Cocoon Natural Dye House. The technique is very similar where you sprinkle natural dye on a wet silk scarf and then roll it up and steam it to set the dyes. I made one with the scarf that comes with the kit, and a second one with a silk scarf that I had on hand which is what's in the picture above. I added a bit of cochineal which dominated a bit, but luckily I love pink so I'm thrilled with the result. I still have enough dye stuff from the original kit to make a third, so I've ordered some silk scarves to sell separately.

This was a perfect project to get back into a bit of dyeing. It was fast, easy to set up and didn't make a big mess. And the alchemy of natural dyes is so fun... you really don't know what you've got until after everything is set, dried and rinsed. 

So if you need a fun little creative project and have wanted to try some natural dyeing, check out the kits.

Happy dyeing!

S x