Before it is too late...
AppleOak
20% off everything
Our Etsy Sale finishes on the
2nd of September
Our Website Sale finishes on the
5th of September
We have been so busy making our business more sustainable, that I had hardly any time to post on social media or send out a newsletter! And here I am again, at the edge of my seat, trying to make the most of my time, while the children are out with their Dad gardening and Mum isn't required for a few hours, which, I am sure, many parents can relate to.
Today, I will keep it short and sweet - you have already seen above, that we have a Sale on! Time to stock up for Christmas! A little hint - all items on our website are generally cheaper than on Etsy - due to no Etsy fees!
What is next on the Menu?
It is the perfect time for berries - for pies and for dyes! Collect Elderberries, Mulberries or Blackberries to make pink & purple dye!
100% Dye to WOF (weight of fibre)
10% Alum (recommended)
Mordant fibre, either hot for one hour (85 degrees celcius) or cold for 24h.
Bring the berries to boild for 5min, than simmer for a total of 1 hour.
Strain and return the dye liquid back into the pot.
Add the fibre and simmer for another 30min. Leave overnight.
You can influence the colour by adding tartaric acid (to brighten) or Soda Ash (creating green)
If you don't get around to collecting elderberries you can buy an elderberry dyeing kit here
There is lots to find and forage at this time of year:
Surprisingly most red berries won't give any colour (no, not even mountain ash, I know, they look so tempting!) but the purple ones will, including Sloes (Blackthorn) and Junipers (yellow and beige)
Acorns are great to mordant plant fibres with, due to the tannin content. Walnut husks (green) are great for dyeing browns, so are alder cones and some seeds, like Woad, can also be used for pinks.
I never tried Ash seeds, though the leaves and bark can be used for yellows and tans.
Some nice things to look out for!
(when collecting bark only take from fallen branches)
Apple Oak News & Diary
Last, but not least a little look into our colourful Goings-on!
- We are currently working on installing a water filtration system - we are always aiming to make our business more sustainable. As well as fully compostable packaging and not using any harsh chemicals in our dyeing, we are going even further. Saving Water!
Using rainwater for dyeing is so much better for the Earth and a stable PH, vital when dyeing naturally. Most people are unaware of this, but the yarn and fabric industry use a huge amount of water. Being a small business and just starting up, we are fortunate enough to be able to make more sustainable choices.
We do not use Copper, chrome, tin or any other poisonous or harsh chemicals in our dyeing processes.Click here to find out more!
Therefore we like to return our used dye water not only to Mother Nature clean, but re use it for rinsing and dyeing several times feeding new rainwater into the system as the water naturally overflows into nature.
This will be a prototype, before moving to our forever premises (yay!) next year, where it will be properly installed. In case you are wondering, we have an expert in Reed bed systems involved.
- We are open to wholesale inquiries and custom dyeing (limited places available)
- We will be at the Knitting & Stitching Show in Dublin in November 2019
- We have a few new yarns lined up for November! An Aran weight wool yarn and a 60% Irish wool & 40% New Zealand yarn spun in Donegal!
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A children Pattern Booklet, based on Winnie the Pooh, will hopefully be launched at the Knit and Stitch in November!
More Info to come!
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