Dyeing Books

A Dyer's Garden - $21.00
Rita Buchannan. "Using dyes from plants is my way of saving colors...", states this author, and she helps you rediscover old techniques, research and create new ones and grow your own for more opportunity and greater reward. Photos and descriptions of 30 plants are supplied, related species, how to grow them and how to dye hundreds of colors. The author discusses which plants to grow or not to grow; she has included questions from seminar she teaches with answers. 112pp. Pb.

A Dyer's Manual - $42.00
Jill Goodwin. An experimental dyer for over fifty years and well respected for her knowledge of dye plants and her work with woad, Jill published A Dyer's Manual in 1982. Following many requests a new edition has been produced, and her enthusiasm and interest can be shared with a new generation of dyers. Contents include: Preparation of Fibres, Mordants, Test Dyeing, Dyeing With Weeds, Dyes From the Garden, Ancient Dyes, Indigo, Lichen Dyes, Dyeing in Schools, Using Dyed Fibres, and an extensive chart of plants, and the colours they give with different mordants. 34 colour plates and many more illustrations.

A Handbook of Indigo Dyeing - $37.00
Vivian Priseaux. This exciting craft book on the art of indigo dyeing has an emphasis on natural fibers. Prideaux uses clear gradational photographs and well-researched information. Although the age-old art of indigo dyeing can be messy and potentially hazardous, careful guidance from the author calms any concerns with thorough assistance on safety and preparation. You will discover Japanese "Shibori fabric resist…" and its "…wonderful effects…produced by folding, stitching, binding and clamping…" Several projects include an Asian jacket, cushion, and scarf, in exceptionally rich blues. 96pp. Pb.

Ashford Book of Dyeing Revised Edition - $35.00
Ann Milner. An outline of the basic principles, describing fabrics, relevant dyes (both natural and chemical) and techniques. For the more experienced dyer, she also provides detailed recipes for named dyes, instructions for advanced techniques, and a clear discussion of percentage dyeing. The author shows how to achieve novelty effects with hot exhaust dyeing and how to use such novel heat sources as the sun and the microwave oven. 192pp. Pb.

Colours From Nature - $27.00
Jenny Dean. Colors from nature describes in full detail how to prepare and use natural dyes on a variety of fibers to produce a wide range of colors, following safe and environmentally-friendly methods. The comprehensive recipe section gives instructions for over 100 colors, using both traditional dyes such as indigo, madder and weld, and dyes from more common plants such as blackberry, rhubarb, oak and walnut. 102pp. Pb.

Complex Colors: Color Mixing With Washfast Acid Dyes - $33.00
Susan Rex. This book deals with colour theory and the reality of mixing colour using weak acid dyes. Although the samples are completed using Washfast Acid Dyes, the approach is the same for all types of dyes. Not only does it deal with colour mixing, but dye colours and recipes are included. Colours are arranged by colour family and there are 187 individual colours. 90pp + colour charts. SB.

The Craft of Natural Dyeing - $22.00
Jenny Dean. The author has researched ethnic dyeing techniques, shows a concern with conservational, environmental and safety factors, and works with both animal and vegetable fibers. She starts with onion skins, details natural mordants and metallic salts, testing leaves and stems, prunings, flower heads, barks, roots, woods, skins, hulls, berries, seeds and lichens. A must-have for all dyers concerned with the environment, no matter what level of experience. Filled with gorgeous color photos of plants, materials and how to use them. Pb.

Dyeing Wool and Other Protein Fibres: An Introduction to Acid Dyes - $45.00
Susan Rex. This book is a guide to dyeing yarn, fleece, prepared fiber, silk scarves and painted warps. Directions are given for mixing dye, immersion dyeing, and applying the dye directly to the fiber. There are many variations listed plus a variety of processing methods. As well as exercises in color mixing and color value, this book contains clear step-by-step instructions, which allow you to obtain repeatable dye results. Several brands of dyes are discussed, comparing dye colors obtained from each. Instructions for each brand of dye are included. This book is your complete guide to dyeing. 148pp. SB.

Indigo, Madder and Marigold - $61.00
Trudy Van Stralen. The author gives 3-day workshops and sets up a sample workshop in this book, having you produce 24 dyed skeins and samples. She uses 20+ traditional dyestuffs from renewable resources, minimal mordants, some in combination with others, and a creative approach to dye mixing to produce a stunning range from a few dyepots. Instructions and recipes, along with equipment, preparation, use of mordants, and more bring you everything but drab colors. It's a treasure. 127pp. Hb.

Natural Dyeing - $32.00
Jackie Crook. For thousands of years, natural dyes have been celebrated for their subtlety and diversity. And, thanks to contemporary concerns about chemicals and toxins, their popularity is surging again. Fortunately, as this vibrant guide so elegantly shows, the craft is both easy and enjoyable to explore and requires no special equipment: just ordinary pots and pans. A thoroughly illustrated tutorial covers all the basics of hot and cool dyeing, and 30 colorful options to try, including roots and plants (madder, tumeric, henna), wood (cutch, fustic), flowers (safflower, dandelion, daffodil), leaves and stalks (tea, rhubarb, indigo), and fruits and vegetables (blackberry, wild cherry, avocado). From pale pinks and vibrant oranges to earthy browns and rich blues, a vast spectrum of hues await.112pp. Pb.

Natural Dyes and Home Dyeing - $14.00
Rita Adrosko. This is two books in one. The first documents the use of about 50 of the most common natural materials in the United States used for dyeing before the introduction of synthetic dyes. The second is a revised version of "Home Dyeing with Natural Dyes," an out-of-print U.S. Department of Agriculture publication first issued in 1935. The dye recipes in that publication still stand among the most thoroughly tested of those published in recent years. 160pp. Pb.

Natural Plant Dyes - $15.00
Judith V Hallett. A Practical and simple guide to dyemaking with plants, which takes the reader step-by-step from plant collection to dyed yarn so easily that even novices will be inspired to try. Lists at the back of the book cover well over 100 Australian plants (and some commonly found introduced plants), each of which can potentially release five different colours with different mordants. The lists are organised under colour divisions, grouping plants which will provide a particular colour, under both botanical and common names. An excellent introductory book on dyeing. 64pp. Pb.

Yarn Lover's Guide to Hand Dyeing - $55.00
Linda La Belle. Showcasing seven professional hand dyers through lush photographs and personal interviews in which they share their thoughts, advice, and sometimes dyeing secrets! A variety of hand-dyeing processes are taught, including faux ikat, used to create a fun tie-dyed effect; quick stovetop techniques that yield tons of color; space dyeing, which uses several colors to create a pattern; a way to dye already knitted pieces; and trouble-free methods for immersion and handpainting. There’s also info on different types of dye – from Kool-Aid and food coloring to Jacquard Acid and PRO One Shot. Once you’re finished, show off your rich and quirky new hues with 20 original knit and crochet patterns. Designs are easy yet sophisticated, and include everything from ponchos to scarves and hats to arm warmers. You’ll find clear instructions, entertaining projects, and plenty of how-to tips. 160pp. Hb.

Yarns to Dye For: Creating Self-Patterning Knitting Yarns - $36.00
Kathleen Taylor. Beginning and veteran knitters alike can learn how to produce homemade self-patterning yarns with this easy, step-by-step guide. Instructions are provided for choosing materials and equipment, skeining and preparing yarn, and painting and dyeing the yarn—all with materials that are found in most grocery and craft stores. Twenty-five quick projects, each presented with dyeing and knitting instructions, will help develop the reader's technique and produce exciting, colorful garments, including gloves, mittens, scarves, and even a summer shell. Guidelines for modifying projects, tips on embellishing, and ideas for leftover yarn are also included. 101pp. Pb.