| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| prairielandherbs |
Posted - Sep 03 2008 : 09:47:25 AM
Hey farmgirls! I wrote an article for Hobby Farm Home magazine ages ago - about rust-dyeing. I totally forgot about it until now, but the article is online, and free, for anyone to read. Thought some of you crafty farmgirls might want to use some rusty "found" farm objects to dye some of your fabrics. Here is the link - enjoy!
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/crafts-and-collectibles/rust-dyeing.aspx
And if you want to see a few of my rust-dyed scarves feel free to visit my etsy store - http://www.girlwithasword.etsy.com
If anyone has questions let me know. i'm not an expert but have sure done lots of playing with rust dyeing. it's easy and fun! |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 5:13:02 PM
Maggie
I first ran the shetland through my drum carder a few times till the fibers were nice and straight but I left it as a batt and then pulled strips from it. The angora is super fine and smooth within a beautiful roving. First i hand carded both together leaving strips of both visible. Then i tried spinning the pre drafted roving and the stripped bat sort of drafting them together. The angora is so smooth compared to the shetland, they just don't seem compatible. i will probably abandon this unless I can figure it out this evening. The color is so amazing though. The shetland a soft moorit and the angora is the amazing glowing copper. The colors and difference texture look great together.
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| prairielandherbs |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 1:54:57 PM
Luna, it took me a bit of time to learn to spin sock-weight. it's not my "natural" spinning weight. My boyfriend, on the other hand - oh god! He naturally spins laceweight. He made me some sock yarn - he had to navjo-ply it (so it's 3 ply), and I STILL have to use size zero needles to knit it!!! too bad I"m not a lace knitter!!!
the sheltand colors are amazing, aren't they?
How did you blend your wool/angora...hand cards? I admit, that is one part of the process I don't like - I have my fibers processed commercially....or borrow a friend's drumcarder. |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 10:59:25 AM
Maggie
Those socks are just wonderful. They look so light but I'm sure they are yummy warm. I think that my problem is that I do not spin such a fine yarn. I know Shetland is traditionally used to make lace shawls. Very fine ones. I'm a chunky spinner, love those nubs!
I'm going to have to become a better knitter too.
I love the Shetland colors though. I have two moorit fleeces like the socks and an lovely grey that I have yet to wash.
I'm wondering about blending it with other fibers too. I have some angora that I'm trying to blend now but it just slide right past the shetland and bunches up. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong?
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| prairielandherbs |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 10:50:52 AM
I have a friend that raises Icelandics and shetlands....it's the icelandic that kills me! I love it, it's fantastic for felting, but THAT staple feels super long to me!!!
here are some socks I knitted for my boyfriend with a natural brown sheltand
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23710116@N06/2403683591/in/set-72157607109491744/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23710116@N06/2273075212/
i have a grey shetland I'm hoarding to make more socks for him, and i've had some blended 50% with alpaca...it's sooooo soft. it's gonna have to be a sweater or shawl I think....
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| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 10:27:57 AM
Ooooh! Thanks Maggie! Even though I have Shetlands, I'm new at using it. I've always used other kinds of wool so it feels a little strange. The staple is sooo long. What do you do with your shetland wool. I'm just experimenting right now to get the feel of it.
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| prairielandherbs |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 10:06:03 AM
Luna, i love your blog! and I LOVE spinning shetland! :) I hope you try the rust-dyeing.....let me know what you do with it! |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 09:34:04 AM
Maggie
How beautiful! I've done natural dyeing before with mostly plants but never the rust..I am just fascinated. I commonly pick up rusty stuff and love the look of it but never thought to use it this way. Your yarn is also so beautifully spun and colored. Thank you for the inspiration!
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
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| prairielandherbs |
Posted - Sep 03 2008 : 6:43:48 PM
it truly IS the easiest thing ever!! i encourage you all to try it! Post pics with your results!!! :) |
| Back Home Again |
Posted - Sep 03 2008 : 4:53:50 PM
Maggie...thanks for posting the article! I like that it is an easy process as well! Gonna try it!
Until Later,
Audrey
~ Side by side or miles apart....dear friends are always close to the heart ~ |
| dutchy |
Posted - Sep 03 2008 : 11:19:23 AM
WOW!! So pretty and SO easy!! Gotta go, gotta find me some rusty nails and some fabric...LOL
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
http://princess-of-pink-creations.blogspot.com/
my new BLOG
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| berryhill |
Posted - Sep 03 2008 : 10:27:45 AM
Maggie,
How beautiful your work is! Enjoyed visiting your etsy shop.
Linda |
| LindaEllen |
Posted - Sep 03 2008 : 10:02:10 AM
Oh my goodness prairielandherbs, what beautiful work you do.
Do we have the rust stuff here on the homestead! I just moved a big wagonwheel yesterday and noticed how it was really rusted on the bottom that was next to the ground. I'm going to rust it up a bit using your technique on your artical, that is way cool. I love the old rusty things on the farm, now I can wear em 
OH and I love the Goldenrod scarf too. I like to use herbs and wildflowers for dyes.
Great artical and awesome etsy store :)
tc linda
Locust Trail Homestead
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/walkabout/
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