Summer Solstice Natural Yarn Dyeing Workshop

Saturday, June 21, 1–3 pm

For most of human history, our ancestors have relied on nature to heal their families and bring color and beauty into their lives. In this event we will talk about the relationship between color and medicine while discussing traditions and techniques of working with natural dyes.

You will learn how to harness nature's gorgeous palette by using leaves, flowers, roots, barks, scavenged materials, and even kitchen scraps to create deep, long-lasting colors in natural fibers. We’ll talk about wildcrafting, sustainable harvesting and how to feel more comfortable in plant identification. You will find out everything you need to know about natural dyeing to have the confidence to begin experimenting. We’ll even get started with a one-of-a-kind natural dye project for each student to take home.

In our workshop, we will do a Solar Dyeing technique. Together we will prepare our beautiful skein for the slow process of absorbing the pigments with time and warmth. All the necessary materials will be provided. Everyone will go home with their glass jar filled with wool & plants to sit on a sunny windowsill. You’ll have instructions on how to wash and dry your yarn a week later after the sun has worked its magic.

This workshop is for anyone and everyone who is curious about the magical world of plants and natural dyes. Join us for an afternoon full of sharing experience and knowledge about botany, herbalism, and natural dyes. Come with your questions & an open mind.

Plants, yarn and magic right at the summer solstice.... What could be a better way to celebrate the longest day of the year?

INSTRUCTOR
Nicole (she/her)

Nicole is a knitter, natural dyer, teacher, herbalist, & New Yorker living in the south of Spain. Exploring the hills around Granada, Nicole gets to know the local flora and fauna. Not a day goes by when she doesn’t knit a few stitches or dream of new colors for the dye pots. Constantly learning & exploring, hoping to share her experience with others. You can find Nicole on social media as @ThymeWeaver.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
Absolutely none. All experience levels are welcome here. For those of you who didn’t even know dyeing with onion skins was a thing to those who have harvested
cochineal from the prickly pears down in the desert- you will all be an integral part of this
event.

MATERIALS PROVIDED
1 Skein of yarn ready-to-dye (previously mordanted)
Glass jar
Natural dye material
Natural dye workbook
A super special project bag
& more surprises

Disclaimer: Natural dyes are a magical craft. Before you start experimenting, you should know that there exists an unpredictable aspect of natural dyes. We are working with living and unique elements. Every flower, leaf and root will be different from another. Each one will have received different levels of sun, water, nitrogen, etc. In addition, natural dyes are usually very susceptible to the properties of the water with which you dye (pH, minerals, etc.).

Therefore, it is very likely that if you repeat the same recipe you will not get the exact same color that you previously did. My advice is that you keep an open and experimental attitude and that you are willing to enjoy the wonder of the plants.