A deep dive into the process For a natural dyer, logistical challenges are the norm. The colors I produce rely on several factors: acquiring the right materials, acquiring enough materials, and coaxing adequate results out of those materials to be color and light fast enough for the end user. Now, make these colors consistently and in repeatable batches, and you have yourself a triad of uphill challenges. Where does one start? First, narrow down your color choices. I started with the most difficult skills and built from there. Dark colors are the most challenging to produce because the ..read more

The truth about packaging in business is that it's often overlooked. But as a small business owner, I've come to realize that it's a vital part of my brand. Here's why I spent two years researching eco-friendly packaging and why I pay more for it. Here are two main reasons I spend so much time researching the packing I use. Firstly, presentation is key. I strongly believe that my customers deserve the best experience possible. As a print designer, I am particularly picky about the paper I use for packaging. It has to look and feel amazing! It’s just ingrained in me. Yes, that’s a paper joke ..read more

You would think that green, being such an abundant color in nature, would be an easy color to achieve through natural dyeing. In fact, it’s much trickier. You can obtain mossy greens by dyeing with yellow and using modifiers such as copper and iron. But to get vibrant, bright green, the best way is by using Indigo to make blue and then over-dyeing with yellow.  There are several ways to dye with indigo. I use a natural fermentation vat. It’s similar to making beer or wine in that it needs to feed on sugars and be kept between 85-100º F. It’s different from all other dyes in that it does ..read more

Basically - everything! And I’m not saying this because I think the world of myself. I’m saying this because there is a lot of fantastic yarn from which to choose. But THIS yarn is buttery soft, grippy enough to hold its structure, and beyond fluffy. Why? Because it’s 100% Merino/Rambouillet (soft), non-superwash (grippy because all the scales are intact), and RWS* certified (fluffy). This one takes longer to explain, the sheep can’t be under stress, and the ranches are inspected and audited yearly. The micron count puts this fiber between 20-21. That’s extremely low, meaning the fiber's scal ..read more

Dark, rich tones like the ones you can achieve from the Black Walnut tree are exquisite. They are velvety and deep. One of the reasons we gravitate towards dark neutral tones is that they are so wearable against so many skin types. We are accustomed to selecting from any color on the spectrum now, but synthetic dyes didn’t exist before World War I. That means, only until quite recently have we switched from natural dyeing to industrial, synthetic processes. Oddly, there seems to be a misconception that natural dyes are pale and fade quickly. I’m here to prove that you can get intensely, deep ..read more

True or False? Wool sweaters are scratchy. Well, it depends on the wool you use and how it's been blended. Wool & Palette's Merino/Rambouillet cross breed wool is 21 microns soft. What does that mean? First you need to understand microns. A micron is a unit of measurement. One micron is 1/25,400 of an inch. In wool, the micron system is the most technical and accurate system of grading the softness or coarseness of fiber. The lower the number, the thinner the radius of the shaft, the softer the wool. Have you ever spent a month or more knitting a sweater only to find out the yarn is too ..read more