Hello, friends! I’m so glad you’ve dropped in today. Let me take you on a fascinating journey through the wonderful world of natural dyeing. Today, we’re going to explore how I started with a dye bath, added the fiber, heated it, rinsed it, dried it, and then finally carded it. Are you ready? Let’s have some fun together.

Getting Started: The Dye Bath

This journey begins with an odd little picture — a reflection of my wooden spoon in one of my old pots. What am I creating, you ask? Well, it looks a bit like soup with all the red and white onion skins. Turning on the light reveals more of what this concoction is all about.

You see, what’s in the pot is a dye bath simmering gently all day, perhaps even a little overnight. It’s going to take some time to soften, but I promise it won’t smell bad — just like onions really. As the water level drops, I’ll add a bit more. Isn’t the anticipation just thrilling?

The Dyeing Process

Once the dye bath had done its magic, I strained it and added vinegar to set the dye along with the fiber, producing a nice dark color. Though I suspected it might not pick up all the color, I was eager to see the results.

After the dye bath, I put the fibre into a spin cycle. What I ended up with was fibre needing to be carded. The colours—oh, they’re quite delightful, even if they’re not entirely what I expected from onion skins, avocado pits, and peels. This is my bathroom and is a great place to dry these fibres; pretty golden, rusty-coloured tones, isn’t it?

Carding: Transforming Fibre

I’m going to show you some of the bats that I previously dyed, ready to be opened and put through the carders. My loving husband played a big role in creating these by opening the fibres up in preparation.

In my quaint little furnace room, I lovingly card the fibers, sometimes enjoying unique surprising pops of color as I work. Occasionally, pieces don’t card out well, but I’m patient and deal with those during spinning, sometimes by hand.

Unexpected Discoveries and Fond Memories

The journey of carding and transforming fiber into beautiful yarn is not just about the end product but the process itself. I recall the history of my old carder bought in Alaska way back in 2005. With a bit of moisture damage, it still serves me well, a testament to its durability and the memories it holds.

My journey with 100 Mile Fiber, sourced from a lovely shepherd named Lydia in Branchton, Rampart Farm and Wool not far from here in Ontario, also stands out. Her small fibre mill and kind demeanour left an impression, reminding me that every step of this process, from obtaining raw fibres to spinning them, is filled with stories and artistry.

Final Touches: Finishing the Bat

As the project nears completion, I take great pride in the fine, muted colors that emerge. It’s fascinating how these natural dye elements create such stunning results. Even though it’s a bit of work—a bit of a workout, honestly—I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Afterward, in my comfy chair, I reflect on two nearly identical bats created with similar materials but slightly different dye baths. Isn’t it amazing how they turn out to be almost the same color after all?

Inspiration for You

I hope this adventure inspires you to try something new with fibre and natural dyes. Whether it’s the method or materials, there’s an endless world of creativity waiting. This journey is about learning, experimenting, and most importantly, enjoying the process.

Until next time, happy dyeing and spinning, remember, if Doll Can Create, you can too.

God bless.