This morning I have spent a happy hour picking and scouring some fleece I harvested off bushes whilst walking beautiful around beautiful Cwm Pennant in Snowdonia.  What a delightful experience that was this summer. 

The wool is not brilliant, but will be fine to play with to see what colours we can achieve. I may get time to spin some up before the workshop, but people have already got their yarn organised, so no sweat. 

I’m also chopping avocado pits and skins to make two dye baths – one redder, one orangey. They will sit and develop over the next week or so. I will stop them going mouldy by re-boiling every couple of days. 

Next will be prepping the marigolds, but not until nearer the time. Then the yarns and fleece must be mordanted. 

A copper and iron modifier have been steeping for ages already in the shed.

It’s all in the preparation! 

I must buy some ammonia for the avocado bath the deepen the red. 

The plan is to experiment with red cabbage, turmeric and madder as well. I am considering an indigo bath, but will probably chicken out this time.