Plant dyeing workshops in 2024
In 2018, Helene sent me a message on Instagram, asking whether I would like to come over and teach botanical dyeing at her farm at Holsnøy. A few months later, we dived headfirst into the colorful world of plant dyeing. Armed with potfuls of patience and a sprinkle of botanical magic, we set out to teach eager learners the art of transforming kitchen rubbish and weeds from the backyard into vibrant dyes every autumn. But why stop at one workshop when you can have a few rounds of fun during the summer?
What's the Buzz About Plant Dyeing?
Plant dyeing is like a science experiment meets history and crafts, with a dash of eco-friendliness thrown in. It's all about extracting pigments from plants to create natural dyes, just like our ancestors did in the pre-industrial era. Plus, it's a fantastic way to connect with nature and learn about chemistry.
Local and Easy
Helene and I became friends not only because we share interest in old crafts. We are on a mission to keep things simple and sustainable. Quite the opposite of current fast fashion industry, as you see. In our workshops, we focus on plant materials that can be sourced super locally, making it affordable and easy for their pupils to replicate the process at home. Think lichens, leaves, and roots that grow right in your backyard or neighbourhood park.
Another important thing is WHAT we dye. We use unbleached 100% wool from local production. Protein based fibers are easier to dye ''the old way'' without extra steps and chemicals.
Workshop Wonderland
The first two workshops took place in June 2024 thanks to collaboration with Rowan tree travel who organised two groups of knitters from the USA. We kicked the workshops off with a brief introduction to the process and dyes we are going to use:
- Yellow onion skins
- Birch leaves
- Old man's beard lichen
- Alkanet
- + one mystery pot
Participants got hands-on with boiling pots of plant goodness (some smell really delicious!), creating an array of hues from violet to vibrant yellows. After the delicious meal served in antique plates in Helene's barn, the workshop had turned into a full-blown plant dyeing fiesta. In the afternoon was everyone coming home with sample skeins of six different colours.
The workshop that took place in early October as a part of annual event Ullveka had a bonus part - participants could join us the day before the workshop and collect plants with us:
- Yarrow
- St. John's wort
- Old man's beard lichen
- Grey stone lichen
- Navel lichen
- + Yellow onion skins from the kitchen
Not only we experimented with multiple mordants this time, but Helene and I got a great helper, Hannah from Germany, who was fun to be around, and I'm looking forward to meeting her next time she takes holiday and stays at Helene's farm.
Plant dyeing isn't just about creating beautiful yarns to knot a weave — it's about forging a deeper connection with history and embracing the magic of botanical colour. So, grab your plant materials, fire up the dye pots, and let your creativity bloom! Try the recipe below:
Birch foliage (200g leaves : 100g yarn)
For yellow colour, warm up a stainless steel or aluminium pot with water and add dry leaves. Cook for at least 30 minutes.
Add a small amount of alum directly into the bath (10g : 100 g yarn is enough). Stir to dilute completely and let cool down to hand-warm.
Add skeins and make sure they are fully submerged and can move freely. Now you can rise the heat but don't let it cook. Leave in the bath for 1 hour for bright yellow colour or turn the heat off and leave overnight for a deeper yellow.
For green colour, do the same as for yellow colour. Remove skeins, add a small amount of iron sulfate (5g : 100g yarn) into the bath and stir well. The bath colour changes from yellow to deep green. Insert skeins into the bath again.
Check the colour every 10 minutes and remove skeins when you are happy with the colour intensity, or turn off the heat and leave overnight for deep green-grey colour.
