Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Review: Dyeing Yarn Naturally

by

As I was reading Dyeing Yarn Naturally by Ria Burns, I realized I’ve actually dyed more yarn in my career as a knitter than I generally think about. I’ve used Kool-Aid, Easter egg dye, tie dye and natural dye from a kit. I’ve also dyed yarn with dandelions from my yard and strawberries left in the fridge a bit too long.

Every time I read about dyeing I want to do more of it, and this book is definitely inspiring and approachable when it comes to dyeing techniques you can use with materials you can grow, forage or buy.

The book begins with the basic techniques of yarn preparation: making the yarn into a hank, scouring and mordanting. It explores general methods for using natural materials to dye with, either by putting the flowers, roots or other materials directly in the pot with the yarn, extracting the color and using that liquid to dye the yarn, as well as other techniques like solar dyeing, indigo preparations (which get their own chapter) and bundle dyeing.

Methods such as dip dyeing, tie dyeing and using additives to change the color in the yarn are also discussed.

Best of all, the book includes “recipes” or guidelines for using different common natural materials (only plants, not animal-based dyes), from onion skins and avocado stones to madder, coreopsis and marigold, ivy to walnuts. If you’re at all inclined to try natural dyeing you’ll probably be thinking, “oh, I can get that” as you read. (Example: we have black walnut trees in our yard and you can dye with the husks, which the squirrels are happy to leave lying around.)

There’s also information on growing and processing your own plants for dye making and tips on testing for light fastness, reusing dye liquid, dyeing finished objects and more.

Dyeing Yarn Naturally is a great general overview of the process of dyeing yarn with natural materials. The author is English, so the focus is on materials available there, but you can always scour your own yard and public spaces (if foraging is allowed) to find the dye plants that are local to you.

About the book: 96 pages, paperback, 25 plant profiles. Published 2023 by the Crowood Press. Suggested retail price $19.99.

Tutorial – Dying Yarn with Koolaid….

Try Something New: Dyeing Yarn with Natural Colors

Have you read?

Totoro Knitting Patterns

We’re a big Studio Ghibli household, and while they are sometimes very protective of their copyrights (as evidenced by the number of patterns on Ravelry that were removed from the service when it received a takedown notice back in 2021), there are still a fair number of Totoro knitting patterns (as well as other designs I’m sure we’ll get to someday). Let’s check them out!

Yaya Labs has a cute plush Totoro that looks like it might stand up on its own. The pattern is available on LoveCrafts, and it calls for DK or light worsted weight yarn in four colors. The pattern is considered advanced but it does include a photo tutorial. It stands 10.6 inches or 27 cm tall.

A similar pattern can be found a Shino Craft, which doesn’t have the leaf hat but does include little hands, and the legs aren’t as separate from the body. This one calls for sport weight yarn and is knit flat on two needles. 

All Made Here has a Totoro pouch that is super cute and looks pretty easy to knit. It measures 14 by 18 cm and is rated for advanced beginners. You can get the pattern when you subscribe to updates or follow the designer on Instagram. 

Stitch Totoro on a sweater with the Totorogenseren sweater from Anna-Sofia Vintersol. This free download on Ravelry uses worsted/aran weight yarn in two or three colors. The pattern comes in nine sizes, with a chest measurement ranging from 77 to 149 cm. 

The Forest Spirit Fair Isle Jumper from Kraft with Kindrex features a row of Totoros on the circular yoke, along with other little colorwork designs. The design includes three sizes, with chest measurements ranging from 91 to 101 cm. It calls for 4 ply (that’s fingering/sock weight in other parts of the world). 

Or you can stitch Totoro as part of a project with more Ghibli characters, as on the Magical Anime Knit Sweater (a longtime bucket list item for me) from The Bearded Sewist. This on has a circular yoke and rows of different characters including Totoro, Ponyo, soot sprites, Calcifer and more. The pattern comes in four sizes and is rated intermediate/advanced. It calls for DK weight yarn and you can grab a copy on Ravelry. 

Or try Katharina Kuntz’s Anime Scarf, also on Ravelry. This one is a double knit scarf worked in fingering weight yarn in two colors, with allover designs from Studio Ghibli movies. She started by knitting the movies in chronological order but gave that up after she realized all her favorites would be in the middle and therefore not visible when worn. You can probably rearrange the motifs further somewhat if you want to showcase your favorites.