Beautiful natural dyes + a great giveaway!

Beautiful natural dyes + a great giveaway!

This week we’re so excited to tell you all about the naturally dyed yarns we stock at Loop! With summer upon us, we’re so looking forward to knitting up all these gorgeous colours into bright garments and shawls, or embroidering little motifs onto bags, jumpers and socks. We are also running a wonderful giveaway this week, so be sure to read to the end to find out what you can win and how to enter!

Plant Dyed by Mehlsen

Loop was smitten with Plant Dyed By Mehlsen as soon as we started seeing images of the beautiful little bundles. When we held the dyed threads in our hands it just confirmed our love for them! We stock Mette’s beautiful bundles of yarn, as well as kits for crocheted shawls made with her plant dyed colours that she has created for Loop.

We were lucky enough to get some wonderful information from Mette about her love for colour and her process.

I have a lifelong passion for textiles and the crafts of textiles, and I have as long as I can remember expressed my creativity through knitting, embroidering and crochet. Besides plant dyeing yarn, creating designs and teaching the craft of textiles, I work with cultural history objects at a local museum here in Denmark.

My passion for dyeing with plants actually occurred at the museum after I handled some plant dyed textiles from the nineteenth century. I’ve always believed that it gives me a deeper understanding of a craft, when I can explore it both theoretically and practically. 

That’s why I started to experiment with plant dyeing on my own yarn about seven years ago. Here, I found out quickly, that the craft of plant dyeing obtained thousands of possibilities – and a new world was opened to me.      

Today, my yarn is dyed with plants that I have picked in nature surrounding me in the western part of Jutland, Denmark. I harvest the plants both early, mid and late season, as well collecting supplies that I can use later in the year. I supplement the harvested plants with cochineal, madder root and indigo. 

I always conduct experiments in my workshop, which makes me more experienced in the processes of the colours. One colour can vary a lot, depending on when in the season I am dyeing with the plant and if I ferment the colour ‘soup’. I do also always dye outside in the fresh air where I have my workshop. Here, I also have experienced, that the results of dyeing with indigo varies in frosty or warmer weather. 

I do not have a specific favourite colour – instead, I think every single plant is special. Every time I dye a new bundle, I get surprised by the amazing colours. For instance, I dyed a bundle with puzzle grass and covered it with indigo last spring – and the result was a crystal-clear turquoise, which usually is very difficult to achieve with natural plant dyeing.     

For me it is fascinating to get the best out of the natural resources. And that is why I always try to leave nature as untouched as possible when I am harvesting: I never take all of the plants or touch the roots, so it can flourish again in years to come.

Naturally dyed yarn at Loop London
Mette with beautiful shades of yellow

I do not have specific favourite colour. But I love to dye with the first docks in early spring. It is magical and always give a lovely and powerful yellow colour on white wool. 

There are a lot of different processes connected to dyeing yarn. I dye on white and grey wool yarn from Germany, which is biodynamic, organic and KbT certificated by IMO. I receive the yarn on cones, which I wind up in bundles of 50 grams. I usually dye between 100 and 200 grams, which makes it possible to follow the process in the pots. I leave most of the dyeing outside in the pot overnight to cool them off slowly. Afterwards, I wash off excess dye, before I wind the small balls of yarn for sale.

I usually get my ideas for new colours or designs while I’m involved with the more physical processes of the craft – especially when I am harvesting. When I choose colours for my designs, it is an advantage to have all the variants of colours accessible. I think that the most wonderful compositions occur automatically, when more colours are mixed randomly side by side. 

I usually set the criteria for my new designs on advance. When I created the Flower Power Scarf for Loop I had some specific criteria for the crocheted square: It should be crocheted with both one and two threads to create variation of colour and texture, It should feel light, there should be one base colour and I wanted to create a 3D-effect. After this process of choosing the criteria for the design I started to experiment with crochet hooks or knitting needles to the point where I got a satisfying result – usually, new ideas are occurring to me during this process.

Teinture Sauvage

Naturally dyed yarn at Loop London

Teinture Sauvage roughly translates to ‘Wild Dye’. The beautiful yarns and colours achieved by Céline, living and working in France, come from working with only 100% natural wool and dyes with full traceability. We just love these beautifully boxed thread sets for embroidery!

We also got some lovely information from Céline about her process and her brand, and her love of natural dye. We feel very lucky to have her beautiful embroidery threads that she has put together for us in special Loop boxes!

Naturally dyed yarn at Loop London

My love of aromatic and medicinal plants, wild plants, led me to be interested in plant colour. The chemical compounds of plants with medicinal virtues also often have dyeing properties.

Nature is so learned. To love it and appreciate what it can offer us is the meaning I wish to give to my work with Teinture Sauvage.

To make a natural colour, it is necessary to create an affinity between the dye of the plant and the fibre to be dyed so that the colour holds. As the dyers say, you need a mordant. It is generally the metal ions that create this affinity. Traditionally, aluminium salts are used. Today they come from mining quarries exploited in southern countries or in Asia with a very harmful ecological impact on nature and local populations.

This is why, to be consistent in my approach, I have chosen not to use aluminium salts in my dye baths. I only use plants. Some plants, because of their richness in alumina, iron or oxalic acid, can act as a mordanting agent. Other plants, because they are rich in colour, are used for colour. I really like to work with wild plants and tree bark. Some plants that I use regularly in my work are; for yellows: rhubarb, turmeric, goldenrod, burdock, St. John’s wort, reseda; for red, purple and roses: madder, cochineal, lake, sappan wood, orcanette, campêche wood; for blues: indigo and campêche wood; and for browns and oranges: henna, roucou, cachou, oregano.

Making colour with plants is very stimulating. All the senses are awakened: the sense of smell with the scents given off by the baths, the touch of natural materials, the sight while watching the colour of the dye bath. I love this experience; a creation or rather a revelation of the alchemy of plants through colour. Dyeing is a way for me to “feel” the hidden treasures of nature. 

Temaricious

Temaricious produce beautiful naturally dyed threads, and they also produce Temari balls, the practice of which is a Japanese folk art.

Their threads are dyed with plants that are foraged from the local area, as well as various locations in Japan. The ladies from Temaricious also grow seasonal plants and weeds and use those to dye with too.

Temaricious is also keen to promote Temari making culture to the world, organising various workshops in and outside of Japan.

We have long loved the Temaricious threads for embroidery and darning especially, but they can also be used for very fine knitting and crochet work, especially the naturally dyed cashmere bundles! Rita and Naho are wonderful women and have also created special thread sets for us over the years.

Twirl

Naturally dyed yarn at Loop London

Twirl begins with the land, and moves from the soil to the plants and animals that live in the place. Twirl yarn encompasses stewardship, husbandry, artistic endeavour, compassion and commitment. The yarn they make takes these qualities — and through daily chores of feeding, husbandry, washing and blending, washing, dyeing and preparing — to final form.

The breeds of sheep Mary chooses to be part of her family are luster longwool breeds. Known for their qualities of luster, strength and softness, authentic to the animals that make this fiber. 

Mary, owner of Twirl, who lives in the Napa Valley in California, says;

“I have lived for over thirty years now on this same ranch. I run cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas and all sorts of dogs to help me with my flocks. I have had a long time to observe the natural plants on this property, and have come to appreciate the floral diversity here. 

In the gardens around our home, is yet another wonderland of color. All the neighbors want to offer plant prunings and fruits they have to be part of this project. I feel like I am living in the middle of a huge and wonderful science project.

The dyes I use that are closest to my heart are from the plants that grow here where I live. I feel that when I use these plant dyes I am fully embracing the sense of this place. It is a hidden beauty that emerges when the essence and color of these plants, which grow on this soil, are combined with the fiber that is also grown here and are of this soil.”

Terroir is a term that describes something that is fully influenced by your location. This is truly a taste of Mary’s world of Twirl.

Thank you to all of the wonderful women who make their magic with natural dyeing and for supplying your beautiful things to Loop. You can see more objects such as our Kaliko bags and books about dyeing over on our website.

A fantastic giveaway…

Naturally dyed yarn at Loop London

Alongside this lovely information-packed blog post, we are running a fantastic giveaway!

We are running one giveaway here on the blog, and one over on our Instagram, @looplondonloves. There will be one winner from the blog and one winner from Instagram.

Both here on the blog and on Instagram we will be giving away a bundle of our some of our favourite naturally dyed bit and pieces, which is worth around £112! What you will win is shown in the photograph above (but where 2 balls of Twirl appear, each person will only win 1 ball).

To enter here on the blog, please leave a comment with an idea of what you might use your yarn for. To enter on Instagram, you will need to repost our photo from today (19th June) or post one of your own photos, using the hashtag #LoopLovesNaturalDyes, and you will need to be following our account, @looplondonloves.

Both giveaways are closing on Thursday 2nd July at noon UK time, and we will be announcing the winners on Friday 3rd July. We’re running this giveaway for two weeks as it’s such a great one, so you have plenty of time to enter. We know everyone has a lot on their plates at the moment.

As always, you are more than welcome to enter no matter where you live, and you can enter both here and on Instagram. One comment or post per person though please.

331 Comments on “Beautiful natural dyes + a great giveaway!

  1. I would love to experiment with crochet for a wall hanging to show the yarns beautiful colours and textures.

    • I would love to knit an all over fairisle poncho or oversized jumper with naturally dyed yarns only!

    • As a Chef I am intrigued and impressed with Mette’s entire process and appreciate her process of using the land to give her what she needs to create her amazing fiber.

      • Such a lovely read. I adore naturally dyed yarns and the amazing colours they can produce. It’s also really nice to see how different makers approach them in their own ways.

    • I think I would like to do a nice shawl or wrap to really showcase the colours and yarn and tonne a nice cosy comforting thing in uncertain and anxious time

    • I’d like to embroider on a mud-dyed scarf I made in a workshop, and to knit a sweater, using these and un-dyed yarn together. And to experiment with the plants around me in the city.

      • As a mature textile student with a keen interest in natural dyes I would love the opportunity to incorporate these yarns into my project work. I have just recently planted woad, coreopsis and chamomile with the intention of dyeing my own yarn in the future

        • We’ll be holidaying in the UK later in the year hopefully so I’d love to crochet a blanket for sitting outdoors at the coast.

      • What a wonderful giveaway! I really love all the different colours in the yarns and threads—very Spring-like. I’m thinking I’d love to make a colourful wrap or cowl, maybe. I would definitely choose a project, where the naturally dyed colours really shine.

    • I think I would expose them in a basket for a while. So I can look at them every day before knitting them into a scarf.

      • I like to crochet flowers with natural dyed yarn. I try to recreate flowers in my garden and find natural dyes give a more authentic look.

    • I would love to knit a little collection of animals from From Cinthia. The natural dyed yarn would make such a lovely bunny or bear for my son. Or I would make myself something special.

    • Thank you so much for these fantastic informations about hand dying and that we can have a look at the gorgeous work of these very tallented ladies. I’d like to use this beautiful set for crochet a flower pillowcase and some embroideries. Warmest wishes from Germany, Sibylle

    • Wow what a lovely giveaway! This yarn is simply gorgeous and so much love and effort goes into every skein. I think I would possibly make a shawl or crochet a scarf as the ones in the kit are beautiful. I am so drawn to these colours, nature really is amazing :)

    • I would most certainly knit a Stephen West shawl with the yarn. I gave away the last one I knit as a gift so this one would just be for me to wrap myself inside.

    • Those yarns are just delicious looking, very complimentary and would be a real treat to work with. I’d love to weave some fabric which I’d use to make cushion covers for my bedroom…fingers crossed! x

    • I’d love to make a wrap with this fabulous hand dyed yarn. Not sure if I’d knit or crochet it, I’d have to sample to decide.

  2. I think I’d like to do a summer shawl, probably knit rather than crochet. Anything left and I’d make a little triangular bandanna for my hair.

  3. Such an interesting post! I think these beautiful soft colours would be lovely in a Color Craze shawl.

  4. Such subtlety. I’d knit a random striped rectangular scarf until every last millimetre is used.
    Thank you for a packed feast of a post.

  5. So many possibilities for this lovely yarn! I would need to see and touch to make a final decision.

      • I would experiment with embroidering a book with these naturally dyed yarns, to remind me of my increased awareness of nature during these past few pandemic months.

    • I’m partial to shawls and I can already image one with different panels patterns using all those gorgeous colors

    • Hmmmmm…. you mean after I sort of live with it admiring how the light changes it’s colors. I think I would make a wrap infused with the hope that NYC (where I live) will someday thrive again.

  6. I am really enjoying making quilts at the moment and I would love to incorporate some panels with embroidery.

    • What an inspiring giveaway! I work in a nursery and would like to introduce the idea of using plants to make different colours to the children, so I would make a couple wee hats in their sizes and use the book to try out dying yarn with them, x

  7. A lace shawl of my own design featuring patterns from a vintage Estonian book I was given by a friend after visiting Tallinn.

      • I’d love to make a light, summery, lace edged cardi with those glorious colours. I can already imagine wearing it on a summer’s evening as I sit in the garden watching the sun sink below the horizon.

      • I would incorporate them into some gorgeous trivets and coasters for the table. You could appreciate the colours every time you have a cup of tea or have guests over.

      • I’m working on a pastel shawl at the moment and if these colors harmonize I’d love to expand my shawl. Thanks for offering such a yummy giveaway. When we can travel safely, your shop is on my list of places to visit.

  8. I have so many beautiful crochet-shawl patterns in my queue just waiting for special yarn! So that is what I would use my yarn for. Thank you for such a lovely giveaway

  9. I have just started experimenting with natural dyeing on fabric ( avocado stones) and would love to do some embroidery in naturally dyed threads on my own dyed fabric. Learning about this during lockdown so that I can teach my students next term that colour doesn’t need to come out of a packet.

  10. So difficult to decide without seeing it first but I think I would use some for a crochet design and some in my slow stitching textiles. It all looks scrumptious.

    • I’ve been hand stitching dresses and skirts in the Alabama Chanin style. I’m currently working on a wrap dress that I would love to enhance with hand-dyed embroidery thread.

  11. These delicious natural textures and colours are incredibly inspiring! Just looking at them inspires me to try slow stitching. I will create a small quirky embroidery with pictures and words to remember these strange, slow weeks of lockdown.

  12. The yarn is so beautiful! I would love to make an heirloom sampler shawl using flower motifs to connect with the flowers used in the dying process.

    • Oh wow I think I would make a pair of socks with some embroidery on them. Love these colours!

  13. Thank you and the talented dyers for this generous and fantastic give-away ! So many possibilities with these heavenly yarn and colors… Would love to crochet a cowl and, with the thinner yarns, maybe little bunnies, bears or other cute animals. Visiting your shop in London is a dream ! Hugs from France

  14. I’d love to weave some beautiful textured wall hangings on my loom for my kitchen wall!

  15. Thank you. I had no idea about the source of Alum.
    Such peaceful, calming colours.
    I would think about a cowl for comfort in these troubled times, and to remind me that spring will come around again.

  16. I would knit a patchwork wrap for warm summer evenings using the bundle of wool. I would embroider shapes and doodles on the pieces with the precious temaricous threads and add a twirl of border…then I would smile from the inside …

  17. Hi there , I would consider a waistcoat , a table runner and embroidery on a favourite denim apron. Thank you.

  18. What a wonderful post, I love using naturally dyed yarns.
    I’ve wanted to have a go at embroidery for the longest time and some of these yarn would be perfect.
    The mini skein set would become a shawl or cowl.

    • Thank you for this giveaway! I can envision making a beautiful shawl and embellishing it with tiny summer flowers.

  19. I would split this with my daughter who has just started to knit(24) and embroider. The pastel colours would be beautiful as a summer cardigan

  20. I would love to embroider with these beautiful threads. It’s something I used to do and would love to return to doing. I am a lover of natural dyed yarns and these look very beautiful.

  21. I would love to use them to add to a piece of work that I have been designing in my imagination that uses applique and embroidery.

  22. The joy the possibilities would bring, these colours are sublime. Just to look at them and hold them! Whatever I made it would be oh so special.

  23. I am a convert to natural dyeing and think it is a truly incredible skill and brings another dimension to your yarn purchases as they have yet even more nature within them.
    I would use the yarn to darn some holes (I recently attended a Celia Pym darning class on Zoom hosted by Loop) on a much lover cashmere cardigan and then a colour work hat for the up coming winter x

    • Hi, this is Sophie’s twin (Bella Spratley).
      Sophie would make the most beautiful creation with your wool and has been a fan for a long time. If I win I would donate the wool to her!

  24. Such an incredible giveaway. I have been experimenting with natural dying myself!! And so far with my experimental avocado, beetroot, red cabbage wools I have made a crochet mushroom and some flower Grannie squares!

    If I won this giveaway I would make a crochet cropped vest/ tank top.

    I am quite new to knitting and I love your shop! Mette’s stunning crochet Grannie squares inspired me to learn this craft.

  25. Embroidery (actually I had with Temaricious and Plant Dyed By Mehlsen … fantastic!!) or some crochet, lacy perhaps :)

  26. So many possibilities. I am thinking embroidery, I have some linen pillow cases that I might put a little detail on. Something knitted with colour work. Difficult to decide really but it is such an inspiring giveaway

  27. What a wonderful way to be in touch with nature! So thoughtful and respectful. I would love to make a wall hanging to teach my grandchildren about plants and how much joy they can give us.

  28. So many beautiful yarns!!
    I have always admired Mette’s Flower Power Scarf so a crocheted scarf would be on my list of makes!

  29. I think with these yarns and colours I should use them to weave a miniature tapestry to show off the colours and textures of the yarns and as they also might combine well being different weights. Very spring like colours so an early spring related imagery or abstract piece.

  30. I am just starting to experiment with weaving different textures of yarn and would love to try out some of these wonderful products .

  31. Some of that beautiful thread would have to go into a visible mending project or two – giving me time to plan what to do with all the other lovely bits!

  32. I would be inspired to crochet some of the yarns into Battenberg blanket and perhaps make a wall art of some kind.

    • Being completely honest, I know I would treasure this. I would likely keep it somewhere visible, and walk past it often to just look at it and “smoosh” it. Then I’d spend hours browsing every possibility on ravelry. Some time about six months in, I would finally decide what I was going to make, buy and print the pattern, and get it on the needles.

      That’s what I love about yarn, the creative possibilities. And I enjoy that part of the journey as much as I enjoy actually knitting.

      ♥️

  33. Yarns and threads are inspiring! And the plant life so rich in this season! I’ve been pining over Stephen West designs and a cozy Penguins (sp?) sweater would capture the yarn colors and be playfully fun!

  34. I’ve just begun to learn to embroider so would love to add this to my slowly increasing stash ready for when I actually get good at it!

  35. I’d love to try making a Sophie Digard-inspired scarf, and these naturally dyes yarns might be perfect for it.

  36. Such beautiful calming colours. I would love to knit a delicate shawl with the addition of some hand embroidery detail. A Summer shawl to bring comfort at this time. An amazing giveaway. Thank you.

  37. These fibers are absolutely beautiful! I find myself drawn more and more to naturally dyed yarns lately. I would make a pair of socks with the minis and a simple ribbed hat out of the Twirl. Thank you for the giveaway!

  38. Beautiful colours, I think I would perhaps knit a shawl or wrap and use some of the threads in a hand stitch quilt.

  39. So many beautiful projects spring to mind! I would try a crocheted scarf or perhaps incorporate Mette’s yarns with the other lovely threads to put a crochet element on an abstract wet-felted embroidered panel or book cover. These natural coloured supplies are amazing, thanks for stocking them!

  40. I’ve been looking at making use of my grandmother monogrammed sheets that are falling to pieces and I reckon I could die them and embroider them in order to turn them in quilt/curtains/cushions. Oh my god all these options!

  41. It is a magnificent giveaway!
    The first idea that came to me was to knit a piece of clothing and then embroider it with some flowers. I think that whenever I used it I would smell the flowers, it would be a kind of aromatherapy. The book I think would inspire and encourage me to try natural dyeing.
    Thank you for the giveaway and for this post, which in itself is already a motivation and inspiration.

  42. What a beautiful giveaway! I would love to use these soft colours to make a Colour Craze Shawl by Tamy Gore…I think they would melt together to create a gorgeous shawl.

    • No fixed ideas for these beautiful giveaway items, but if I won them I’d use them to create a calm environment for my little granddaughter Ivy I am revamping our spare room as a special place for her to stay. I am knitting a blanket for her bed and would embroidery some bedlinen too. Such fun!

  43. I would use them as inspiration for my own natural dyeing experiments and would inevitably end up crocheting a shawl with them to show off the beautiful colours

  44. Some embroidery on old fabric that I dyed at home using plants, or some visible mending. I love the contrasts and tones of the natural colours.

  45. I would love to knit a pretty summer vest top but after reading the blog and looking at the photos I feel inspired to try and learn to crochet as the little squares really are so pretty. I have only very basic skills but with a prize like this I would use the time I have in isolation to teach myself to crochet and then enjoy the delicate colours in my room everyday.
    I loved this blog post

  46. Such beautiful yarn and amazing colours! I think a crochet scarf for winter…hmmm lovely and warm!

  47. Thank you for the generous giveaway!

    For my entry here on the blog, this is my comment with an idea of what I might use my yarn for, if fortunate enough to win:

    I visualize a large color-block wrap (to showcase the diverse and beautiful fibers) that features areas of different (knitted) textures created by a variety of knit stitch patterns — perhaps some openwork, maybe others twisted stitch — but all chosen for their bold scale, individuality, and reversible natures …

    The shape I envision is the ruana (or split-front open-sided rectangle poncho, as some call it), with which I have had prior design experience (gkgreen on Ravelry).

    Again, thanks for the opportunity! ⚜️

  48. I would love to use the gorgeous naturally dyed yarn for embroidery and darning projects- I love the idea of patching up holes in well loved handknits with little touches of naturally dyed magic from around the world, weaving in wild colours from plants from near and far.

  49. I really enjoyed this blog post and read it several times, all the makers look so content and their dyed yarns are so beautiful. I find the colours relaxing and calming, especially so just now. I would use the yarns for hand weaving small pieces to hang on the wall of my workroom, like small textured water colours. I would also use some to hand stitch panels for a bag that I am making, made from small panels to be stitched together. Just now I can only seem to focus on small projects.

  50. I have never really crocheted anything but now that I am pregnant with my daughter (I already have two teenage boys) I feel the time has come for me to attempt to make a granny square blanket. The softest shades of pink, green, yellow and grey would be just perfect for a warm, cuddly, girly blanket. And later on, a crocheted or knitted dress with tiny pockets and a cute crocheted rose corsage. Every girl needs a blanket and a dress (or two) in beautiful fibres to treasure and possibly pass down as a family heirloom. :)

  51. I love how each of these dyers achieves different colours but ultimately uses the same source, it’s a kind of magick that I absolutely admire. And it connects one to the landscape- ‘terroir’, I’ve never heard that before so thank you. I’d be tempted to make a crochet and knit sample blanket with the minis and Twirl, with different stitches all patched together then woolly tattooed, Autumn-style. Partly for baby, mostly for me! ;-)

  52. I love these! I am knitting an indigo cardigan, so I would love to add some embroidery embellishments with these. Then to wear with it I’d crochet a scarf of tiny retro circle squares and tiny pompoms (I’ve been wanting to do this for ages, have been saving inspiration pins on my Pinterest – these colours would be perfect) and finally if I have enough left, fingerless mittens to finish off the outfit!

  53. I’m swooning over the these colors, so gorgeous! I would love to learn about dying my own yarn. I love making shawls and these colors would create a beautiful colorway for a spring shawl. I’m also learning how to mend and could use the yarn for mending my sweaters and jeans. Thank you! Lori

  54. I would love to use the natural dye yarns for my
    Garden Birds in lockdown project , the birds have been so inspirational , I am planning to crochet and knit , our garden birds , with embroidery embellishments to remind me of this strange time we have found ourselves in around the world .
    Knitting has been a real help !
    I have dyed some wool with camomile during lockdown (first attempt!) but have a lot to learn !
    If I could win this it would be a big help with the natural colours of the birds .

  55. Wow these colors and yarns are exquisite. I would make something for a very special baby— probably a sweet color work or striped sweater b

  56. Great post – lovely to see the variation in colours and hues – I have never tried it but I love the idea of embroidering onto some of my hand knits with these

  57. I love dyeing with plants too. Also going to try some eco-printing onto cotton fabric this afternoon.
    I would use my yarn to embroider flowers over moth damage on a favourite sweater.

  58. I would knit a baby blanket and do some embroidery on it – those colours are so soft and pretty. Thanks for the amazing giveaway.

  59. I hand sew my own clothes and would incorporate some of this beautiful yarn into embroidering onto the organic cotton jersey I use, as well as perhaps a shrug or shawl….lovely yarn!

  60. Thank you for giving away such lovely yarns.
    I would use a little of the thread to place embroidery on a lemon linen top, and then use the rest for a finely-striped cardigan to wear over the top. xx

  61. Hello,
    How beautiful are all the colours, I love the natural dyed yarns.
    I would make some beautiful socks with the wool,
    Would use the Temaricious tread for colour sashiko, which I learned on zoom online classes while in lockdown and absolutely loving it.
    I would make a hat with the twirl wool or if the gauge will work making a more summer version of Isabell Kraemer’s Reagan Cardigan .. oh so many projects.
    Thank you for the beautiful blog.
    Stay safe and well
    Simone xx

  62. I would love to use the yarn to crochet a blanket for my little granddaughter in Wales, who I haven’t seen since lockdown started.

  63. Wow, merci ! I plan to knit hats as Christmas presents for my family members. I was looking for natural wool, so I could certainly use these to make nice colorwork for everyone according to their style. I would be happy to knit such a special yarn and many people would enjoy wearing it!

  64. I’d love to experiment with these lovely soft colors and try some of Tif’s woolly tattoos on a woolly item, like a sweater or vest.

  65. Thank you for the giveaways!

    I’ve been into wall decorations lately, so I’d probably try to incorporate them into some wall art! A safe alternative is colorwork socks though, so it’d be hard to decide :) Never enough knit socks!

  66. Lately, I have been experimenting with making socks that are free of nylon and other synthetic fibers. It would be interesting to focus not only on the fibers that go into making these socks, but also the dyes. I have begun attempting visible mending on my knitted garments as well and need to start improving my stash of embroidery thread and other beautiful small balls of yarn!

    • Thanks so much for an informative read & a wonderful giveaway!
      I’m so keen to dye and knit anything from start to finish – a baby blanket or a jersey for one of my beautiful children. An heirloom…

  67. I can see a fabulous shawlette to showcase the beautiful shades. What a luxury and something to look forward to in trying times.

  68. I’m imagining a lovely soft scarf and Twirl hand coverings with some embroidery and sinking into the inspiring book for some happy hours.

  69. I would love to create a family heirloom (maybe the summer garden blanket by Mette Mehlsen?) to give to my first grandchild

  70. It’s so inspiring! I have a 50+ year old tweed blanket that I am slowly repairing with visible mending (@ailsanap on insta) and these beautiful wools would just be wonderful to work with. And any left over would have to be a knitted necktie, as I always wear something around my neck!

  71. There’s so much in the prize I’d have to do a few things, maybe a cowl with the mini skeins and the thread would give me reason to try embroidery again, something I’ve been thinking about for a while… I’ve not done it since I was eight or nine. I’m not sure about the twirl but it’s a yarn I’ve been wanting to try for a while.

    Such a lovely prize.

  72. I would make a shawl as a birthday present for my mother. Due to the pandemic I won’t be able to see her in person, but I would love for her to open a handmade present on her special day.

  73. I have a colorwork cowl I’m planning as a Christmas gift for my niece. These colors would work perfectly!

  74. I would would use the book as inspiration for natural dying from the countryside here in Aberdeenshire and the Woolly Mammoth for a present for my family in the South of England, when I manage to see them again after lockdown.

  75. I love the colours so would want to knit something that I can wear often and would bring me pleasure, as a way to self care. So a scarf or wrist warmers or fingerless gloves.

  76. I would use the yarns to create a fabric book using simple knitting ,basic weaving and hand embroidery – a slow stitch recording of being outside on my allotment and the journey by bike there and back which reminds me of being a child again.

  77. I always loved the Wildwood Crocheted Scarf! The natural dyes are so lovely and this gift would also be wonderful to make some woolly tattoos.

  78. It would have to be a beautiful crochet shawl made of tiny squares – the natural colours are just so beautiful that it might just sit in a bowl on my desk, which I can gaze at whilst I work. Thank you X

    • Stripey shortie socks would be what I would make. If there’s still extra yarn left over, I’d try to incorporate it into a color work sweater!

  79. I’d use them to do some beautiful visible mending and woolly tattooing of an old holey jumper I’ve inherited from my husband

  80. These are so, so beautiful! These would be beautiful to embroider on a sweater, especially one handknit with undyed wool.

  81. For this exquisite yarn I like think it would be for a Summer bag to show off the yarn to it’s full potential.

  82. I might add a little color or texture detail to a the yoke of a sweater, buttonband and cuffs. Or use for a shawlette. Embroidery… so many ideas.

  83. I haven’t embroidered since my teens but these beautiful yarns in such a soft palette have me thinking of giving it a go. I’ve been planning to knit a very special sweater for my niece’s little girl, Scout, who will be celebrating her first birthday in August. Embroidered embellishments would really suit this project. Every little girl deserves an heirloom knit!

  84. Oh wow! What a beautiful give away! I’d love to win this!!

    I’m an ex knitter- studied it as a specialism at Uni but only ever was taught industrial machine knit not hand knit (Uni study…I know, right?!) I’d love to teach myself how to hand knit but never really feel very inspired.
    I do dye my own fabrics though and would love to learn how and then teach myself to knit using the yarns in the prize- the colours look really pretty!

    I’d love to tell you I want to create a new outfit!! But in reality, if I manage a scarf I’m happy! I’d love to make a set of wrist warmers also and if I get really ambitious…maybe I will start on an actual jumper!

    I hope whomever wins this enjoys it, and if I don’t win, I’m keeping my eye out for the book and when the Loop store in London opens again :D

  85. Love, love, love these beautiful yarns! I’ve been experimenting with embroidery on knits and denim. I would use this great pack to add florals to a dark blue denim smock!

  86. Beautiful yarns, dyed in colours I would not ordinarily use. During lock down I have
    taught myself to crochet. Methinks I’d attempt a pillow top or small blankie in a Granny
    Square flower motif. Maybe? Once I hold the yarn, I may head off in a totally different
    direction. Thanks.

  87. I have started a fabric book using fragments of old quilts and vintage lace. What a great addition these yarns would make with their beautiful colors to embroider and experiment with visible mending.

  88. I see a patchwork scarf using knit, crochet, embroidery techniques, and maybe a few beads to spark it up! Really beautiful materials.

  89. What a lovely give-away! I dye my own wool for rug hooking and thus would love to have their book! Also, I would like to use the fibers in a free-form embroidery. Thank you for the opportunity to enter to win!

  90. What wonderful yarn! I think these weights and colors would be great pieces of jewelry, crochet, embroidered or stitched for brooches. Getting so many ideas. Thank you.

  91. I’m trying to replace all my socks with hand-knitted ones, so more socks! And the threads would be beautiful to embroider my clothes

  92. I would use them for creative surface embroidery gifts such as rag dolls and fragrant sachets for drawers and wardrobe.

  93. I would use the embroidery thread to add embroidery detail on a handsewn linen tunic I recently finished. The wool would likely be a light drapey cowl or embroidery detail on some sweet handknit fingerless gloves.

  94. What gorgeous yarns! I have some naturally dyed fabrics which I’m intending to make into a small quilt, these would be perfect for hand quilting it.

  95. I would make myself a lovely snuggly comfort blanket that I can wrap myself up in in the winter

  96. Seeing and touching would be soooooo enjoyable before deciding how to use these gorgeous threads and yarns. I’d definitely love to experiment with the threads on natural linen and hemp fabrics. The yarns would make the most beautiful cowl or fingerless gloves. All would make the most indulgent gifts ……………… or things to keep and to treasure.

  97. I absolutely love the colour palettes of these beautiful naturally dyed yarns. They are so in keeping with the colours we see in our summer gardens. I would love to make a lacy shawl for wearing on cooler summer evenings.

  98. I live in a very warm climate, so a lace shawl would be the perfect item. I thoroughly enjoyed your blog today. I am amazed at your process for dying yarns and I will be reading about it again and again!!

  99. I would enjoy it for awhile as a tablescape….putting these lovely colors in a big doughbowl and setting on my coffee table!!! Eventually, they would tell me what they want to become.

  100. Really interesting article and talented artists. I would make doll’s dresses and cardigans for the Waldorf dolls I make – they ‘need’ all natural fabrics and wools for the Waldorf pedagogy.

  101. Ooo! I would make something to hang on the wall I think…in fact I think I’ll go sketch now just in case! (Fingers crossed!) This is such a beautiful bundle!

  102. I just love this giveaway. I think you really appreciate what we need at this crazy time. I think I would use in in a summer top with embroidery as well.
    Keep safe.

  103. I have a little granddaughter named Ivy. She loves nature, and helping on our allotment. She has planted borage, sunflowers and nasturtiums with my help. I am currently transforming our spare room into a calm haven for her. I am currently knitting a blanket for her bed. Making muslin curtains with embroidered flowers and would attempt more embroidery on her bedlinen. With such beautiful hand dyed accompaniments surely I can’t fail !!!

  104. I am a subscriber to Koel magazine and would love to win this bundle to use it in one of their weaving projects. You are encouraged to be experimental and I think that the different textures and thicknesses would be perfect. Then the woven fabric could be embellished with the embroidery threads. The possibilities are almost boundless.

  105. What beautiful, soft colors – I’m always so amazed at the amount of colors and shades you can get from natural dyes. I would love to knit a striped t-shirt to show off all those beautiful colors.

  106. I enjoy making and wearing vests, and these small bundles of colour suggest a project employing multiple fibre skills…sewing, weaving, knitting, crochet, beading, and embroidery. I might even find that I have to supplement them with a bit of personally dyed fibre or cloth! I love the emphasis your shop places on individual craft-persons and their lovely creations. Thank you!

  107. I would use the yarn to embroider on my summer lightweight white linen coat – and perhaps crochet or knit a necklace with some beads to wear with it.

  108. I’d love to crochet a William Morris inspired Arts and Crafts blanket or wall hanging with these. I think this would be the perfect design for naturally dyed yarns.

  109. Definitely a shawl to wear with my own hand dyed cardigan. Thanks for such an inspiring blog post.

  110. I envision a tapestry or shawl knit with images and symbols that express peace and unity between human kind and Mother Earth. Potent for this time.

  111. I would make a scarf or a couple of hats for my daughter.
    The book look fabulous as well, I’m really interested to learn more about the process of natural dying.

  112. I would probably knit a summer weight wrap/shawl with a lace pattern. You can’t have enough wraps and shawls. :)

  113. These are so beautiful. More than likely I would use these in my abstract textile art pieces. I am always looking for different subtle fibers to experiment with in couching and stitch on paper, with vintage textiles.

  114. I think I would make a Cowl or shawl with a Shetland fan design. Thank you for this post! Loved learning about all of these artists/makers.

  115. Beautiful collection. I’d make a pair of socks or embroider the moon and stars on a shawl I’m working on.

  116. I can picture a wrap or shawl I would crochet, flower motif of course. But first I think I’d put all that lovely fiber in a pretty basket, to look at and dream about for awhile. Given the pandemic and other events, I’ve decided I am going to try dyeing this summer, and I have some natural dyes headed my way. How nice to have that book also.

  117. Such soothing colors…just what my mind needs these day. I have been improvising blankets using knitting and crocheting and pieces of “retired” sweaters. These lovely items would be great for embroidering on some of the recycled items and for inspiring a new improvised blanket.

  118. The calming colours of nature harmonize so beautifully.
    I would love to make a shawl with natural dyed yarn so I could wrap the world outdoors around me whenever I needed a hug!

  119. Thank you for the generous giveaway and for a lovely blog post!

    I think I would use some of the thread to visibly mend the elbow holes that have appeared on my cardigan. I have been putting the job off because I wanted to do it with purpose and with that does the job justice. I would also make a beautiful pair of striped socks with the mini skein set.

  120. Beautiful giveaway. Definitely would have to make something colourwork for one of my children, possibly a hat, or mitts.

  121. Those yarn and colours are so inspiring that I would use any of them to design something by my own.

  122. I’d be really excited about the book as I’ve started experimenting with dyeing my own yarn this year and I’d love to learn how to get more out of it.

    For me, the lovely natural colours cry out to be used close to the face, perhaps for a double-knit cowl featuring natural motifs or a crochet shawl of delicate floral granny-squares to keep the chill off on a summer evening.

  123. Colours are beautiful – difficult to decide what project to embark upon! A wall hanging (embroidered) or a throw in squares with embroidery detail? I’d have to study the colours and the texture first!

  124. I was given a knitting learner kit earlier in the year and am determined to learn and, although its some way off would use it for a scarf(no matter how it turned out!)

  125. Wow, super giveaway! I plan to knit colorwork hats as Christmas presents for my family members. I was looking for natural yarn and these ones would be perfect!

  126. What a great collection of beautiful things and colours. I would make a blanket or throw with embroidery details! Love this!

  127. I’d probably knit them into a bag I designed a while ago but haven’t found the right wools to make.

  128. I have borrowed this book from the library several times and done some dyeing with locally gathered plans. But these colors…! I would use some in a Swedish summer costume I am making and also perhaps a scarf.

  129. Such lovely colors! I would use embroidery wool to decorate a summer Swedish costume I am making and the yarn for a scarf/shawl. I have done some dyeing with plants I have gathered locally—but these colors are luscious! Plant material plus water from a given area make for unique colors with so much depth and subtlety.

  130. Such beautiful things! I am getting through lockdown by looking forward to starting an embroidery course in September and also going to a workshop in November where I will learn to turn a sock heel by knitting a tiny sample sock. I would use these lovely yarns to develop my new skills and perhaps some lucky person in my family will get wonderful socks for Christmas

  131. I have been trying to focus on using natural dyed yarn, often using wool from UK native breeds, and the particular dyestuffs which grow in the environment where they live. To date I have been weaving with these yarns, and am also planning to embroider with naturally dyed threads onto my impressionistic wet-felted wool panels. I would like to try knitting squares or panels for blankets and shawls. I simply have too many potential uses for these beautiful products!

  132. All of the colors are just so beautiful!
    I would crochet and weave some brooches so I could always see the colors. The idea of a patchwork scarf is another possibility.
    Also enjoyed the article with the artisans sharing their thoughts.

  133. I would either crochet a large shawl or a throw with your beautiful yarn but not before I have had a good squish!

  134. I have been planning a dye garden for next year, so this was really inspirational! I would love to do a bit of embroidery and knit a cowl.

  135. I would love to use this yarn to make Japanese crocheted shawls and accessories! The colours are exquisite.

  136. Such beautiful, gentle colours… I would like to add them to a shawl, and keep a few grams of each for a pair of striped shortie socks. A lovely giveaway, thank you

  137. A much needed piece, thank you Loop for this and the beautiful giveaway, Covid lockdown has been challenging, so it has been soothing to read about the connectedness of these wonderful ladies to the land, to plants/dyes & to animals/yarns. I would relish reading the book and try to establish my own dyeing practice with the plants around me, develop that connection to land around me, as Covid has made me feel quite low and disconnected many times. The yarns and threads I would use to heal my soul and take my mind off my anxiety, I do not knit, so I think I would experiment and embroider onto scraps of fabric and make some jewellery gifts.

  138. I would like to design a lacy shawl that would show off the inner colorings from plant based dyes, especially in the light.

  139. So lovely just to contemplate the joy of making with this beautiful yarn. I think I would knit a pretty cowl with those gentle colours. Thank you for offering this giveaway.

  140. I would like to knit a hat. I visited Scotland last year. The colours there spoke to me and I have been dreaming of knitting those colours and feelings in botanical shades.

  141. During the covid shut down I’ve taught myself knitting, weaving and macrame making. I’ve especially fallen in love with making creative landscape tapestries using mixed textures including some of my knitted fabrics. These stunning hand dyed yarns with natural colours would be a perfect addition to my nature inspired projects.

  142. I would make something for my granddaughter who was 2 during lockdown. It’s great being able to see her and the family again.

  143. I would experiment with knitting flowers and leaves to embellish garments and pillows. So beautiful.

  144. I have made several Tiny Tassels shawls for friends during the lockdown using yarns from my stash; these gorgeous yarns would be the perfect opportunity to experiment with a very special shawl/wrap for myself.

  145. I would love to knit some brioche with a main colour being cream to show off the beautiful naturally dyed yarns.

  146. These are beautiful. With these inspiring yarns I would get down to business knitting gift mitts with Autumn inspired wooly tattoos.

  147. I would love to stitch a heirloom piece for my new grand daughter Silke who is now 12 weeks old . I haven’t yet been able to meet her as I’m in Penzance and she’s with her four sisters and my daughter and her partner in London.
    I am also dyeing my own threads and some yarns with foraged flora and enjoying It so much.

  148. I’d love to try my hand at a scarf or wrap like Sophie Digard. Her colors always look perfect together! Thanks for the chance at winning these and for showing me some of the makers process.

  149. These yarns look absolutely gorgeous, the natural colours make them appear almost edible! I’d put them in a favourite basket for a while – to let their special powers speak to me! I discovered a pattern last year that utilised just two yarns at a time, and a simple slip stitch pattern that ensured the piece looked great from both sides of the knitting as the floats were none existent, I think such little rectangle shapes would be ideal to show of these coloured yarns.

  150. Beautiful, soft, lovely dyed yarn! I would make a rich shawl, to be surrounded by these powdery colours.

  151. I would love to knit a nice cosy jumper for my daughter. She has red hair and these natural colours are beautiful on her!

  152. Usually a keen sewist, after the beginning of lockdown I soon realised that my mind wasn’t up for the sort of involved and prolonged effort required by sewing projects. Even taking the sewing machine out of the cabinet where it leaves and setting it up seemed like an impossible task. Instead I stocked up on beautiful La Bien Aimée and Life in the Long Grass wool and on darning supplies and started knitting socks and darning holes. I have been knitting socks for my family and a few friends stuck in a harsh lockdown in Northern Italy. Placing one stitch, one row after another I covered the distance between here and there. It has been my way to feel closer to them. And I have been darning all the items I never had the time to darn before as tackling one small hole (problem) at a time – as Celia Pym puts it – seemed manageable. I would continue to do just that with all the beautiful items in the giveaway.

  153. Well, obviously, the first thing I’m going to make is – all my friends very, very envious. The colors are wonderful, and it’s nice that they are all natural, so no pollution from chemicals. I’m torn between something for myself, or home decor items. The colors shown would would work so well in my apartment. Thank you for the giveaway.

  154. Loving hand sewing at the moment, so i would be stitching and layering with these wonderful threads

  155. I love to crochet and I’m currently making lots of baby clothes for my first grandchild due in November

  156. I’d see what colours there were then make a scarf, cushions, mittens or something else entirely. Hard to decide without knowing what colours and quantity will be won.

  157. I would love to make my Mum in Law a lovely shawl, to keep her warm when they celebrate their 50th Anniversary next year on a Cruise.

  158. I would love to try these beautiful yarns on some socks. I am sure they would be warm, comfortable and unique!

  159. I would crochet a cosy lap blanket for the winter nights, I think the colours would look great in my lounge.

  160. Such beautiful yarn and colours! I would love to make my mum a knit or crochet shawl with the yarn!

  161. I would love to crochet a piece of wall art working in some of the treasured ‘found’ items from our travels to create a ‘memories’ wall hanging.

  162. I love the colours and i would love to knit a beautiful runner for my bed, using a Kaffe Fassett pattern.

  163. I have really got into wearing shawls instead of cardigans, so that is where I would use this yarn. Possibly a nice lacey version which will give the colours and beautiful airy feel.

  164. I’d love to knit a darling little romper for a friends newborn. What a lovely way to come into the world wrapped in beautiful naturally dyed yarns

  165. I would love to incorporate this into an Afghan bed spread. It would need to be carefully designed beforehand and different stitches , as well as different colours could be incorporated into each square, before all the squares are sewn together. I have made one before, but it was all of one colour, and the different squares incorporated different stitches. With this yarn I could also experiment with colour

  166. I think I would use some for a snood, I think these would make a beautiful snood!
    It all looks scrumptious

  167. I’d crochet some granny squares to trim a piece of grey wool challis I have and, perhaps p, add some embroidery.

  168. I think I’d do a dual sided cushion cover, one side knitted and the other with fabric so I can embroider onto it. Would be a very nice wedding gift to a friend.

  169. I would love to put this yarn towards a textures unite shawl
    I have always want to try woollymamoth yarn and these colours would be the perfect fit for a beauftil blush version.
    X

  170. I would make colourwork mittens, so I would have something bright on my hands that reminded me of plants when its cold and grey all winter!

  171. Tbh I’m not sure what I would make but it would probably be crochet as a change from the six jumpers I have as a result of the fab BT apart together initiative!

  172. Wow, these yarns are all so beautiful but what’s more, is that they are all so inextricably linked to the lands that they were dyed in. I’d really like to pay homage to each of the yarns ‘terroirs’ and knit individual items which tie the yarn back to that place, using Japanese, Danish or Californian designs to allow each piece to speak to its origins. Thanks so much for this giveaway, super inspiring as a ‘first year’ knitter! Keep up the good work! Katie x

  173. I would use them to create something beautiful in winter, when the light is low and the suburban streets are gloomy and access to nature is limited.
    It would be a treat and a privilege.

  174. What beautiful yarns, my mum, daughter and I all love to crochet I think they would fight me for this prize. I would make a bolero for my granddaughter or shawl the possibilities are endless x

  175. We have a new granddaughter so I would love to make her a cute cardigan or two in natural shades

  176. I would like to knit some cozy and fancy winter cap and mittens for my just born baby girl which I can use for her photoshoots at home.

  177. What a lovely give away! And hopefully not too late to enter. I would love to make a fantastitch shawl, or possibly a hönsestrikk jumper, depending on the amounts.

  178. What a dream! I am going to make a scarf- my third woven scarf and am collecting and making bits and bobs of naturally dyed yarn to put it together. I only want to use naturally dyed yarn, as I only really like using natural paints, and inks when I paint or draw. The colours are just more honest and resonant and just make more sense to me! Fingers crossed!!

  179. Hhmmm. Far to nice to rush into using. Will probably sit on a shelf in my workroom while I ohhhh and ahhhhh over the colours! And plot and plan – probably using in 2025! But from its place on the shelf will give me sooooo much pleasure!

  180. I think I would incorporate the wool in a shawl. Maybe the exploration station from Steven West. They can be combined together but every color could shine for itself.

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