While I was dyeing some cheviot with dye from walnuts I decided to throw a few silk hankies in to the dye bath too.

Modifiers I used were cream of tartar, iron, citric acid, and soda ash to get the different colours. I have to say I am pleased with all the colours.

Here are the results from using a cheviot combed top as well.

I used all the same modifiers as listed above. I don’t plan on spinning these colours all into one skein of handspun yarn but they would look nice in a Fade colour scheme.

For the silk, I think I would knit with the silk and not spin it beforehand. To do this you put your fingers into the middle of the hankie and pull it apart till it breaks.

Then you keep pulling till you get the desired width of silk you want to knit with. To store the silk I wind the silk around a toilet paper roll.

Now I am all set to start knitting with it. A shawl made from silk will keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer; one knitted garment you can wear all year round.

Cheers

Keli