Janet's Naturally Dyed, handspun, handwoven rug

At last!

The leaves are beginning to arrive at last so I shall be taking my Robin Moth cocoons out of the fridge today. It is a bit chilly still, but they will be inside so fingers crossed for some of both sexes and some caterpillars!

I thought I would show you this rug, woven by my friend Janet. She dyed all the yarns at a workshop I ran, using Pure Tinctoria dye extracts, and spun the yarn herself. I'm very proud of her!

Jane

Goodness me - what a day! The bank holiday crowds were out in force at Duchy Square today and I met a charming young man who is studying entomology at university and was really interested in the silkworm sagas. He was surprised that I let my moths emerge, as he was under the very common misconception that you can only use fibre from unbroken cocoons. Hope he'll spread the word, and even more I hope the leaf buds begin to burst soon!

The woad is coming along nicely, and I look forward to a good crop this year, but my Japanese indigo has failed to show any signs of germination yet.

I remeber saying weeks ago that I would post the pix of the yarn I had mordanted when it was dyed, so am going to attach an image of it as it is stocked at The Art Chapel in Moretonhampstead. These are all natural dye extracts - environmentally sound, fantastic colours and so easy to use.

The Netherlands

Well, still no oak leaves so the cocoons are still in the fridge. But I have been to The Netherlands for the annual teaching trip and these are some photos of the yarns my students designed from their images. Didn't they do well?!

Is Spring just around the corner?

Well, I was tempted to think so because we have had glorious sunshine, the birds are building their nests and there is evidence that leaf buds are forming on the trees. Today has brought the cold winds back, though, and a cloudy sky so maybe we'll have to be patient. I'm hoping the oak is not as late in leaf this year as last as it puts my caterpillar season back.

Still, I have mordanted 3kg of yarn over the last 24 hours and am just about to put some more on to cook. This is destined partly for Unravel, in Surrey at the end of February, and partly for a new venture down here on Dartmoor, The Art Chapel (www.partofthecountry.com), run by my good friends Anne Middleton and Brigid Arnold. There will be craft kits to buy, courses to take and all manner of goodies! Grand Opening is on 6th March and by an amazing coincidence, that is also the day of the Moretonhampstead (Art Chapel's location) Food and Drink Festival! If you are on Dartmoor, come and join in.

Now to decide what colours to dye the yarn.....I'll show you later in the week what I have done.

Jane