The veg keeps rolling in- tho cukes are about tapped out (finally!). And pears are ready to go as well. The tiny tree does produce an impressive amount of fruit each year (just a sampling below)
We are acting quickly to try and use as much of it as possible, drying some and also making pear butter, which we’ll freeze for future use. They don’t last long once ripe!
In wool news, i did a little trial run on dyeing with my dried Dyer’s Chamomile last weekend, using Aluminim Triformate mordant
Sample amounts of Dottie and Fiona wool (about an ounce each) and equal weight of dried flowers
rehydrating the flowers took longer than I expected!
Started with my food warmer unit, but had to up the heat to get it properly simmering, so upped the ante to the big dye pot and propane burner-
I got pretty good color out of the flowers
and the results on the fleece-
It definitely took more strongly to the tips of the locks. I had only left the wool in the mordant overnight, so perhaps could have gotten a stronger color from a long mordanting period, and also a longer stay in the dye bath (?). I admit I could have been a little more patient 🙂
Here are my results carded up- a nice lemony shade, and a good mossy/mustardy green!
More colors for the fair isle yarn palette!
And speaking of fair isle- work continues on the Dark Alcott-again Cardigan
Having fun playing it by ear with the color combinations. Momo seems to be enjoying this project as well-
I figure I’ve got a couple more inches to go before I start shaping for v-neck and armholes.
Have a good week, folks-
I picked three boxes of pears today and you can barely tell I touched the tree. Love the sweater, dyed wool and Momo’s help.
are you going to make some perry this year?
Swamped with fruit and veg here as well, and yet I took the day off to ride at the beach. Ask me in ten years what I would remember best.
gotta grab those opportunities when they present themselves!