Golden Hues

It’s hard to believe how quickly time has been passing, but suddenly here we are in the middle of October. Every gentle breeze brings a flurry of leaves down the mountain, the fireplace has once again been put to use, and our first frost has come and gone. The lazy days of summer crafting with its endless span of time to create and daydream are slowly giving way to a sense of urgency and preparation. The distant calls of unfinished sweaters are more pronounced, it’s time to take stock of gaps in fall and winter knitwear, and plans are in place to ensure a fulfilling and productive winter crafting season. As I sit here writing this entry, I have raw fleece soaking in a scouring bath to prepare for combing and spinning, a pair of fingerless mitts in progress by my side, and a cup of warm spiced tea in my hand. Fall has unmistakably arrived.

I have fully embraced the moment now, but I am no friend of change and am always reluctant to welcome a new season and say farewell to the old. As one final summer indulgence, the goldenrod beginning to brown but still in bloom, I took to the dye pot once more to capture the fading glow of bright yellow summer sun as it gives way to the golden hues of fall.

These skeins have been scoured and prepared with a mordant so they are ready to go the minute a dye plant is at its peak and ready to harvest. This is a different base yarn than I have been using, so I sampled two of these skeins to see how they take color. Both dyed together with goldenrod, I then modified one with ferrous sulfate to sadden the color.

What a beautiful pair they make. Siblings, but each unique in identity. It still amazes me how drastically the color can change with just a tiny amount of iron in the water. It really feels like witchcraft to me.

I was also curious to see how a gray base would behave in the dye pot in contrast to the natural cream wool I have been using. I chose a light gray and a medium gray to see what would happen. I love the idea of dyeing over natural gray wool because the heathered quality of the natural fibers contributes an added dimension of depth and complexity to the color.

Into the dye pot they went as I eagerly awaited the results. I am convinced I could live in a world of gray wool for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy exploring and celebrating the variety and beauty of what sheep have to offer. In some ways it feels like I am gilding the lily by imposing color upon such perfection, but for the sake of experimentation and satiating my curiosity, I could not resist.

Be still, my heart. Is there a word for when perfection has been improved upon? I must get my hands on more gray wool immediately to continue the experiment. How silly of me to believe that I did not need color in my life. I can’t wait to design and create this winter with these colors and the others I have been collecting throughout the summer. I will always be consumed by my love for natural wool, but these colors will help to keep the dullness of winter at bay. It may be snowing outside, but the flowers will be in full bloom on my knitting needles.

I have more to share, but must tend to the scouring fleece. Happy fall!