True Color: Exploring Dye Patterns in Braids

Jillian Moreno

Saturday AM

Speckled, striped, dyed in a repeating pattern, or dyed in no pattern at all, painted braids come in a huge variety of styles. It’s hard to know what your yarn will look like when spinning a particular pattern of braid. In this class we will explore several popular dye patterns so you’ll have a better idea of what your yarn will look like no matter the braid you spin.

We’ll first look at braids, unchain them, and investigate how the dye has been applied to the fiber. Pattern? No pattern? Lots of white spots? Something else?  How much of a pattern can you see when buying a braid?

Then you’ll spin several pattern types to see exactly the outcome a particular dye style has on your yarn. There will be lots of samples on hand to see each dye style from fiber, to yarn, to knitted swatch.

Don’t really like the dye pattern in your braid? That’s an easy fix! We’ll explore manipulating the colors in our braids to play with switching up the patterning.

You’ll leave this class ready to tackle your braid stash (or add to it) with color confidence.

Skill level:

If you can spin a continuous thread and have made a 2-ply yarn this class is for you.

Material Fee: $25

A variety of fibers and preparations, including fibers dyed by independent dyers. Students receive enough fiber for class and to practice skills at home after the class.

Moreno True Color

Student Supplies:

A wheel in good working order that you have used recently, 3-4 bobbins, a lazy kate, a niddy noddy, tags to mark samples and pen and paper to take notes. Please bring any other spinning tools you like to use.

Homework:  None