The Yarn Lover’s Guide to Hand Dyeing: Beautiful Color and Simple Knits by Linda Labelle published by Potter Craft (November 13, 2007).

When I spin or crochet or knit it is my meditative time, I sit and chat or watch tv or just think - it is how I relax, but when I dye yarn it is “play time” for me - time when I can experiment and try out new things. I am currently crocheting a baby rug for my soon to be born 5th grandchild and I have been dying the wool as I go. Experimenting would be the correct word in regard to the dyes. I have been using this book as a sort of guide - however it shows dyeing of large quantities of wool or other natural fibres, whereas I have only been dyeing small lots, (very small). I have been dyeing small lots mainly to experiment with colours and because I am making it up as I go along - seeing what colours go with the colour before and trying out various combinations. Having fun. I have been dyeing small mill ends wound around my fingers. The dye I use is a cold dye called “Earth Palette” which comes from Gladstone in Australia. The chemicals are already pre-mixed in powder/crystal form, with a separate “fixer” which I add. I am trying out various methods which are shown in the book such as fully immersing the yarn in a jar or a bowl, I am also mixing small quantities of two colours separately and placing one side in and letting the wool soak up the dye halfway and then pouring the other colour carefully on top - I am really enjoying this method as you end up with lovely colour variations and when I crochet this in to the blanket there is a lovely overall pattern and blend of colour on the squares.

I have a few proper skeins of wool and mohair blend which I have spun, and I intend to dye in a multi colour effect. I am using this book again, not so much as a reference but more as inspiration, although as a beginner to the dye world, I have found the book to be very easy to follow with good images to help me along the way - being a visual person this is very important. The book is well written using different methods and the patterns are certainly enticing if quite simple. The Eucalypt dye is rather interesting and I certainly don’t have to go far to gather the leaves. I will have a go at that some time but it does appear to be rather time consuming to just do it on small lots. I am quite interested in trying the food dyes and will do some of those for the rug.

there is a big area of the book that is completely missing, explanations of the chemicals. This had me pondering for a bit till I looked it up on the web that was Synthropol - it is evidently a detergent. Some of the terminology and none of the chemicals used in the book are explained very well for beginners like me, luckily I am getting quite proficient at using the online search tools.

All in all I find the book very inspiring and challenging. I was thinking of digging a small trench up in the yard and lining it with plastic and laying my skeins in that and pouring gently the dyes in strips and using primary colours to get maybe a rainbow effect. I would then cover and leave for a couple of days in this heat to take up and blend the colours. And I will also be trying ‘painting’ the wool as well. The main thing about this book for me is that I am so excited to try new things and it has really pushed my creativity in some new directions.

About the reviewer: Janette lives in Australia and is spending her retirement doing the things she loves. Gardening, playing with yarn and making things for her grandchildren.