The thing about nature

Well here we are almost at the end of winter and my colour range is getting a bit limited. No comfrey (except for some that were saved in the fridge) , no harakeke pods, waiting on red cabbage and beetroot to grow in my garden. I'm a little proud of this crop. It's the first time I have grown from seeds which I raised myself.

Natural wool dying is a seasonal thing which can be a bit tricky but also reminds you of the bounty of nature. Just recently I used some rhododendron flowers which have been falling all over my driveway in my dyeing. Of course, the colour didn't come out as I expected at all (quite usual) but I think they look lovely mixed in with my comfrey in

my NEW 4 ply 100% Merino high twist 'Ella Fitzgerald' shade. The picture doesn't really show of the subtlety off the colour but it is very pretty - a soft green with light reddy tan (the rhododendron) running through it.

On the plus side, Spring is not too far away and I've already been offered some spring carrot tops to create my Emmy Lou Harris shade, so I look forward to brewing up a storm when Covid lifts and contact is possible.

For now I am preparing a lovely mix of Henna and Pomegranate to create a bespoke cardigan for my daughter. This of course is the plus side of Covid - much more time that you ever expected to knit.

It's the first time I'll be dyeing a 10 ply wool yarn as I usually stick to 4 ply or double knit. It would seem the current trend amongst the younger generation is thick bulky knitwear. Great for me of course as it won't take me anywhere as long to make up. Here's hoping it will be a success. Young people can be very picky.

Must away and get dyeing. If you have a moment, come on by my website and check out some of my new colours just added, Pink Houses, Hundreds and Thousands and of course the lovely Ella Fitzgerald.

Happy knitting.