Yesterday I got really excited about dyeing my Cotswold with turmeric, and I did it. I followed these instructions. It was simple and I love the color. It is still a little damp. I made a mistake by dyeing it at first while still twisted in a loose hank, so I untwisted and dyed it again, resulting in the beautiful gradient. So be like me and make a mistake and love the outcome. I don’t think I would like it as well if it were all the same color.
The dyeing process blew out the lanolin so I ordered some and I’m going to give it another rinse with lanolin. I had someone tell me recently that you don’t want lanolin left in your wool. Well, maybe they don’t. But I sure do. Especially in the Cotswold which got toothier after dyeing. The lanolin makes it softer and also moisture repellent. Why wouldn’t I want that?
With only 10 minutes to spare and my hands still yellow and smelling of turmeric, I rushed to the COWFG meeting. I got lost and was 15 minutes late, but still enjoyed most of the presentation by the owners of Oak Knoll Farm.
I knit on my Weekender and listened to wonderful stories about a sheep named Charlotte who goes into a trance when she gets sheared, and another one who wags its tail and follows you around like a puppy. Yes, I now want a hobby sheep farm when I retire. I want protective dogs and sweet Shetlands.
I purchased some of their fiber. You know they love their sheep when they include their photos on the product.
I also purchased this.
Do you know what this is? I’ll bet HighlandHeffalump does. I am going to take a class today and then I will share with you all about the mystery of this beautiful tool.
Random Thankfulness: Today I am thankful for our immigrant and refugee communities who bring their amazing food to our area, like baby bananas.
Snakes & Cranes 
Wow that yarn is gorgeous!! You did a fantastic job dyeing it. I agree about the lanolin. You want the yarn to feel the way it should.
Yes! Get sheep! Don’t wait until you retire. Do it now:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s not a bad idea. We are looking for a house. Maybe we need some acreage!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your turmeric yarn is fantastic!!! I will definitely need to try it myself. It’s exactly the kind of colour I want. Hobby sheep farm would be so cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your yarn is awesome! Well done! And I have no idea what that tool is, so I’ll be interested to learn more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh, your yarn is stunning. I love the yellow. You are so talanted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seriously, this was so easy. If you can cook, you can do this.
LikeLike
What a gorgeous, vibrant colour you got! Now I kind of want to try dyeing with turmeric…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was so easy. You really should try it!
LikeLike
Your yarn turned out such a beautiful color! It is really a vibrant gold – you got a lot of depth in that color 🙂 Sounds like a really neat guild meeting – so interesting! I know what you mean about the sheep. I’ve been agitating for some as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoy the process of dyeing but haven’t tried using natural dyes yet. Amazing how bright it has come out, I need to make sure I never spill any turmeric on me. Is the tool a niddy noddy? The cross bars are usually at 90° angles but I think this would still work as one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does look like one, and that’s what I wondered when I first spotted it. But you’ve already got it on later comments. It’s a loom.
LikeLike
Actually just spotted the wee holes, is it a loom?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s a tapestry loom! It is the artist’s own design.
LikeLike
Your yarn dying is magnificent! I want to know, if you especially love Annabelle’s wool can you request it by name?!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you can!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is an ingenious marketing idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person