roguecrafter

Not wanting to “waste” expensive fresh berries on dyeing yarn – or rather be chastised by my household for doing so – I decided to see what would happen if I used frozen mixed berries.

First I blended the berries in a blender with some water as though I was making a smoothie. I added a bit more water for volume and simmered the concoction for about an hour. I may have thrown in some salt.

After an hour, I drained the seeds and dregs and was left with this dye bath and some dregs I won’t show you. I strained them through a paper towel and a colander for the curious.

Then I let the dye bath cool, added 1/2 cup of vinegar and my yarn (handspun blue faced Leicester) and heated in an aluminum pot until I could just see steam. I removed from heat, added the lid, and left it to sit overnight. (The aluminum pot is supposed to help set the dye because some of the aluminum seeps into the water…we shall see!)

I got this beautiful purple-gray color as a result: