A couple of weeks ago, I shared an experiment for dyeing yarn with food coloring. The results were interesting, but I decided the yarn didn’t have a cohesive, finished look. So, it’s back to the dye pot this week. Overdyeing can rescue failed dye experiments if you’re careful about...
Dye yarn with food coloring: a fun and easy fiber experiment
In today’s yarn world, there are thousands of people dyeing yarn at home and achieving wild and interesting (and sometimes, even beautiful) results. Have you ever wanted to try your hand at dyeing your own yarn, but were too intimidated? Or, perhaps you just didn’t want to shell out...
May 4 – 5, 2019: Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, Maryland. Booth D 15 in the Main Building. The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival is one of the largest shows of its kind in the country. With dozens of sheep breeds and other fiber animals, more than 250 vendors, farm talks, fiber workshops, and educational...
June 29, 2019: Acid Dyes and Surface Techniques
Learn the fundamentals of acid dyeing and create your own color-ways using 4 techniques: kettle dyeing, self striping, painted sock blanks, and speckled yarn. All yarn and dye materials will be provided, and students should bring appropriate clothing and personal safety gear*. Each participant will take home several skeins...
July 13 & August 3, 2019: Learn to Homebrew with Scott Russell
Are you a novice homebrewer, looking to upgrade from extract brewing to all-grain? Or perhaps you’ve been considering this hobby for a while, but you’re not sure what’s involved. This workshop is for you! In this two-part class, you’ll learn to brew beer from scratch, using the all-grain method....
July 27, 2019: Introduction to Natural Dyeing
Learn the fundamentals of dyeing yarn with natural plant materials, from preparing the yarn with mordant, to altering pH and using post-treatments. We’ll forage for dye plants at the farm, and we may use kitchen scraps or purchased extracts to create a range of colors. We’ll also try eco-printing on...
September 7 – 8, 2019: Garden State Sheep & Fiber Festival
Hunterdon County Fairgrounds, Ringoes New Jersey, Outside Barn 3, Booth 3010 The Garden State Sheep Breeders’ Sheep & Fiber Festival is an event that has long had a focus on livestock competitions and breed conformation. Recently they’ve added more vendors and fiber arts workshops, so this event is educational...
October 5 – 6, 2019: Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival
Tunbridge Fairgrounds, Tunbridge, Vermont. Center aisle, Pavilion building. The Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival is a smaller event with a rich history. Set in the beautiful hills of Tunbridge during peak foliage season, the festival provides demonstrations, fiber arts workshops, live music, plus access to farm products and independent vendors...
Holiday Films: Seasonal classics, and unusual favorites
We don’t always have time to watch as many of these as we’d like, but we love our holiday films. From classic and modern adaptations of A Christmas Carol, to more off-beat selections like About a Boy, there’s something here for every audience. Please share your holiday favorites by...
Beeswax Candles You Can Pour Yourself & Great Gifts
Sarah’s mother Nancy joins for a discussion of making your own beeswax candles at home. With a few tools and some helpful tips, you can make your own delicious-smelling candles, or give them as gifts. Beeswax is a byproduct of honey production, and readily available. We suggest finding a...