These are the yarns I spun yesterday. The top yarn is Falkland wool, the bottom mixed BFL & silk.

yesterday’s handspun

Believe it or not, these yarns were dyed with the same colors, with the same technique. Did the colors strike more quickly in the thinner commercial yarn? Did the silk content contribute to such a difference? I’m thinking yes. Or, maybe the water was hotter with the commercial yarn. I’m completely fascinated by the unexpected nature of dying! I discover and learn new aspects all the time – yay!

hand spun vs commercial

LOVE how the colors wend their way from one to the next!

color variation close up

This is an example of a hand spun yarn with silk content. Is that why the colors are more defined, the silk grabs the color? I’ve been experimenting with “kind of” kettle dying by placing yarn in already heated water. I still soak the yarn, but have a wonderful spin dryer that leaves the yarn ready to absorb lots of dye. How lucky am I that I love my work? 🙂

hand spun mixed BFL & silk