Being that I've never tried Saxon Blue natural dye, I thought it best
to try a few samples before attempting to dye the guild's
sheep-to-shawl warp.
A dear friend gave me this vintage dye book. As I opened the front cover I noticed
it was autographed on the inside! After posting the photo on Instagram I got a message from a friend in Montana ~ she went and dug her copy out and it was autographed too!
That little book was the only one that mentioned Saxon Blue.
Not much information that I can find on the internet either.
Following the instructions included in the package the first sample went in the pot.
It was dyed first with a light fustic yellow in hope of getting a spring green.
MINT.
The bottom collection of samples were all Saxon Blue.
I pretty much tried everything:
different yellows
different depth of shade
different modifiers in the dye bath
.. but mostly the blue wouldn't strike.
The water would be a lovely green but when the yarn came out..yellow.
It was an interesting day and I'll continue to research, but
today I am making an indigo vat to get the spring greens I need.
Couldn't resist a snap of the gorgeous moon last night as we sat
at the campfire.
Now... back to the drawing board.
~
