I need another day, not just an extra hour. I've spent most of the weekend spinning up those awesome bats and I've only got about two and a half left. I'd really like one more day to finish spinning and then ply. Oh, and my guess of one pound of wool was way off. I've got probably 9 ounces which plied, should give me enough for a shawl, plus the border that hasn't been spun and dyed yet. I didn't take a picture because the second bobbin looks just like the picture I took of the first one.
Speaking of dyeing, I've seen some pictures of the colors Cochineal produces and I can't wait to start dyeing. The pinks are absolutely luscious. I'm thinking I'll try growing the big three next year: weld for yellows, woad for blues, and madder for reds. These three plants have been grown for centuries for the intense colors they produce. Woad produces the same pigment produced by indigo, just not as much of it. It takes much more woad to dye a pound of wool than it would indigo. Woad however, unlike indigo, can be grown in cooler climates like mine (unless you have a greenhouse, which I don't). Of course, then I have to figure out how to get the pigment out of the plants. I've heard it's a bit complicated. I guess I'll find out. Should be fun.
Well, those links are the start of a real rabbithole! Will go explore when I have more time. (Damn this having-to-go-to-work...)
Those Cochineal pinks really are luscious! (And I don't even like pink!)
Posted by: gayle | November 07, 2011 at 08:28 AM