Rust Dyeing

Dyeing with rusty pins and scissors

Following on from my last post about natural dyeing I thought I'd write a post about rust dyeing. Dyeing with rusty things is so easy and I've been playing around with some of the pattern making possibilities. It's not technically natural dyeing but it is dyeing with things that I have already (and which are otherwise not very useful on account of being rusty.)

Pins and woollen fabric

Dyeing with pins

Preparing samples: Fabric and pins

Adding water

One of the things I've been experimenting with is the pattern making possibilities of rusty dressmaking pins. By folding, pleating, twisting and then pinning fabric in place before getting it wet and then leaving it for a couple of weeks I've been able to create some really interesting results.

Pattern making with pins

Pattern making with pins

Pattern making with rusty pins

One of the other interesting possibilities of rust dyeing is the print making element; I find it fascinating being able to transfer the image of a rusty object onto fabric using nothing but water and time. I love these rusty ghost prints, they hold traces of the object and are like memories; not quite like the object and subject to change.

Preparing a sample: scissors and fabric

Rusty scissor and pin print on organza

Cochineal and rusty metal on wool

I'm currently working on some larger pieces of work, one of which is to do with memory and remembrance.  Using objects belonging to a particular person I have rust dyed pieces of wool and organza and am using these pieces to create a piece celebrating this persons life. It's currently a work in progress but I'm excited about it an am looking forward to sharing it soon.

Dyeing a large piece outside

Get Your Knit On!

So, what started out as a funny idea between myself and my friend seems to have taken on a life of its own and become an organised event. Said friend suggested doing some knitting in the city centre and seeing how many people would join us. I said it was a good idea, we could even make it into something a bit more and make scarves for the Christmas angels that they have on display every year in our city centre. She said good idea.

Then I saw that The Big Issue were doing a Big Knitathon so I thought maybe we could be part of this. So I contacted a friend at the council and he said fab idea, I'll get the press department to do a press release. And so what started out as a bit of a giggle is now a fully fledged knitting event. Which is nice.

On Monday I went to a new knitting group at Cornerstone which was really good, the people were really friendly and when I told them about the event I was organising they were very enthusiastic and have already helped out by putting up a poster for me and donating some wool and some needles.

So, if you want to get your knit on and be part of a world record attempt to get as many people as possible knitting simultaneously then get yourself to Carlisle on Saturday 17th November from 2pm and come and get stitching!

Cosy Cowls and Snuggly Scarves

Purple ruffles

Even the most optimistic folks are admitting that it is definitely Autumn and we are not going to get an Indian Summer. Personally, I'm quite happy about this as it means its time for hats, scarves and gloves to come out again. As well as revisiting some old favourites I have been in a flurry of wool and creativity recently conjuring up assorted neck warming devices for the coming gifting season.

Chunky knitted cowl

Buttons!

Detail

The cowl above is for my friends birthday; this may be the first time in our friendship that she has actually received her present even vaguely close to her birthday. Normally, despite my best intentions it ends up being weeks (months) late. It's made from a snuggly chunky wool/acrylic blend with bright buttons for extra funkiness.

Detail of ruffle scarf

Detail

The purple scarf is for me! It's a scarf yarn called Arabesque and it's a bit bizarre to knit with but pretty quick to grow once you get into the swing of things. It's a nice easy way to make a ruffly scarf without doing anything complicated!

The following pictures are Christmas gifts so I'm putting up no details, just a couple of teaser shots!

Knitted cowl

Crochet cowl