Following up on the last couple days’ of posts on the dyeing of wool with woad, it’s time for a little give-away! Thanks to Andie of Renaissance Dyeing, we’re giving away TWO sets of woad-dyed wool (the woad range, pictured below). That is, two people will win the range! Pretty nice, eh? In order to have a chance at winning, read on and follow the directions!
To enter the give-away for this pack of woad-dyed crewel wool, please (pretty please!) do the following:
1. Leave a comment below. Your comment must be left on the website, on this post. If you aren’t sure where to leave the comment, click this link and it will take you right to the comment area.
2. In your comment, you’ll just have to entertain me! Answer this question:
Woad you or woad you not? … Would you ever consider dyeing your own threads with woad, or do you prefer to buy your threads in their finished state? If you woad not, why not? What would avert you from dyeing your own threads with woad?
3. Please make sure to leave your name with your comment – either in the “name” area of the comment form or in the body of your comment. If you have a somewhat common name, you might want to add an initial or location, so there’s no confusion.
4. Leave your comment by Monday, October 3, 5:00 am US Central Time. I’ll announce the winners (via random draw) on Monday morning. The winners will need to contact me with their mailing addresses.
That’s it – really pretty simple. It boils down to answering the question above in the comment form below before Monday morning. Whew!
I’m really looking forward to reading your answers to the question! It’s a question I’ve half-way struggled with for a while now – and I’ll tell you my answer when I post the winners.
Have a terrific day!
(Monday, Oct 3: This Give-away is Now Closed!)
Dear Mary,
To answer your question: I definitely woad not! I think it might be fun, but I’d rather buy the specific colour I need and let others worry about how to obtain it. I have enough problems choosing from a range: humming and haaing before deciding. But getting a little bunch of lovely wool sounds very attractive to me.
As always, I thank you for your so very interesting newsletter which I look forward to every day.
Woad is me but I’m not sure I’m up for the careful steps that are involved with woad dyeing. I am often distracted by the muse of the moment! Alas, it might be worth trying just once. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?? I can’t blow anything up can I or glue anything shut???
I would love to win this wool, thanks for the opportunity
While I’ve done a lot of dyeing in the past, my current lifepath requires me to move every two to three years. This means any stockpiles get tossed. I also live in government housing, and the maintenance staff doesn’t like the idea of “chemicals” about.
Ha! This question made me laugh. Would I consider it? I’d consider anything and everything embroidery related. I want to do it all! In my wildest dreams I imaging myself growing flax keeping shhep and raising silk worms. Harvesting their bounties and dying them every colour that nature can produce. Then spinning and weaving to produce my own range of threads and fabrics while still having the time and soft, clean hands to embroider with.
I’d love to do a natural dye workshop but in reality I will probably go on buying (or hopefully winning) my threads and fabric.
your tutorial is excellent , fantastic. I would also like to be a part of the give away.
That should be sheep, of course and I forgot to say thank you to you and Andie for your generous give-away. Good luck, everyone.
Dear Mary.
I have never dyed my one threads.
Becouse I have never learnd it.
That is why I Buy it in their finished state.
I love your mails every day and learn a lot from you.
Thank you very much.
Greetings from Truus from the Netherlands.
Personally I “woad not” dye my own threads with woad. This is a personal choice as I have been very unsuccessful with dyeing threads of any kind – so rather reluctant to try again.
Denise Thomas
i would like to dye my threads using woad. i would also like to be the part of this give away
Personally I woad not dye my own threads. I have been very unsuccessful with dye of any kind – so rather reluctant to try again.
First, I want to say your site is spectacular – full of information, wonderfully detailed stitches, and patterns! As I am new to this site and relatively new to embroidery, I don’t think that I would explore the woad way of dying at this point (according to the video, it seems like a SMELLY job – thank goodness for modern technology). Very fascinating and was impressed how the color changed so dramitically. I also want to say that I love your new needle case class. If offered again, I would be interested in joining (the one with the bird on the cover). Thanks for providing a very informative site.
WOAD Definately not. Hi there, i WOAD definately not try and dye, i did it once and tried to dye a shirt, the concequences was that the red shirt made EVERY THING PINK, including my husbands white work shirts. Clearly i am dangerous when you let me loose with DYLON dye with INSTRUCTIONS imagine what a disaster i would be trying to do it from scatch,cutting up the plants, soaking them, remebering not to let the dye drip in the bucket. I hope this give a clear picture as to WOAD not.
Regards Leonie
First, I want to say your site is spectacular – full of information, wonderfully detailed stitches, and patterns! As I am new to this site and relatively new to embroidery, I don’t think that I would explore the woad way of dying at this point (according to the video, it seems like a SMELLY job – thank goodness for modern technology). Very fascinating and was impressed how the color changed so dramitically. I also want to say that I love your new needle case class. If offered again, I would be interested in joining (the one with the bird on the cover). Thanks for providing a very informative site.
Hola, después de ver los artículos que has publicado estos días, te agradezco el sorteo y me gustaría mucho ganar estas lanas. Respuesta a tu pregunta: sí he pensado alguna vez en teñir mis propios hilos pero creo que debe ser mucho trabajo y mucho ensuciar para un resultado… sorpresa. Me gustaría teñir toda una gama de color como sería desde un rojo muy intenso hasta un casi blanco para poder bordar unas preciosas flores con un matiz de color muy cuidado. Tal vez algún día lo haga.
Gracias de nuevo y por favor, sigue obsequiándonos con tus artículos. Un abrazo. Jacquelin B. (España)
Yes, to dye my own threads has always appealed. I’d love to. I love the natural colours. I’m an autumn by birth, colouring and, dare I say , temper. The woad blues are ‘autumnly’ fitting. Inky storm to windy light cloud colours.
But…woad is me! The woad under the harrows knows…and all that sort of thing! My health doesn’t permit me to go beyond my current endeavours.
Oh, but there’s such a wonderful variety of colours and tones to buy, and win. Good luck every one and thanks muchly Mary and Andie.
Cheers, Kath from Oz
This looks like the perfect excuse to try Deerfield embroidery!
Well I have yet to woad my threads and yarns, but I have indigo-ed them in the past! I am a spinner so I usually either dye my fiber before or after spinning, unless I want to work with white or natural coloured fleeces of course! Woad has been on my to-do list for a while now. Mmmm working with Renaissance woad threads would be a lovely incitement to finally get out those dye pots again which have been calling to me for some time now!
Edith.
I woad not. Mostly because I do not have a place to do so. I’m interested enough to try it as I am an 18th century reenactor and would love the experience of hand-dying. It allows me to better communicate the experience with the public. But I would likely only do a single batch as my interests lie outside dyeing.
Woad I? Of course! What fun, to make blue wool, and hands and floors and walls. Hmmm, maybe I woadn’t. Buying it seems like the sensible, if less fun, answer.
I definitely would do my own dyeing with woad. The fact that I do not have room where I currently live would make that impossible, but I always read all I can on dyeing. Keep up the good work!! Thank you Moggi
I woad LOVE to dye with woad–I woad also love to travel to France to learn how to woad! I think woad makes the loveliest shades of blue–thanks for the opportunity!
I would woad! I’d love to woad–never done it though I’ve hoped to. What has stopped me from “woading” is that I cannot legally plant the invasive stuff in my state and have not been allowed to collect from places where the stuff grows on its own. Darn!
I’ve dyed with indigo which I hear is very similar and like the process and results a lot. Though this giveaway woad be woad-dyed fibers, not woad dye to test myself, it would be great to compare woad results with my indigo! Indigo color builds up with repeated dips so a range of graduated blue shades from light to very dark is possible, all softened and natural, not assertive royal or electric blues–but not pastel, either. I love it! There is so much character in the colors produced by natural dyes, it’s always a wonder to me that ordinary plants–weeds, things you DON’T want to grow–can make such treats.
I woad love to finally be able to play with woad-dyed fibers, and woolen crewel threads woad be a real treat!
Thanks very much to Renaissance Dyeing and Mary Corbet for offering these threads to one lucky person!
1. Leave a comment below.
2. In your comment, you’ll just have to entertain me! Woad you or woad you not? … Would you ever consider dyeing your own threads with woad, or do you prefer to buy your threads in their finished state? If you woad not, why not? What would avert you from dyeing your own threads with woad?
3. Please make sure to leave your name
4. Leave your comment by Monday, October 3, 5:00 am US Central Time.
In truth I had not considered dyeing my own fibers. The process to attain light and age-fast colors seemed too much for casual attack. I did not think I had the time/space/equipment to do it. But I am reconsidering, based on your posts. Thank you for the inspiration and education! -k.
Hm, interesting question. My husband and I like trying different things – like tapping our maple trees to show the kids how it’s done, and trying (unsuccessfully) to tan deer hides. Since my daughter spins, it would be fun to try dying some wool she’s spun. Since I have a long ago and far, far away chemistry background, watching the color change as the wool is pulled from the vat would be intriguing. The process, without the urine, is a fairly basic chemical reaction. Problem is, if I like doing this, where would it end!!!!!
I had to seriously think about this. In a perfect world, when I had lots of time, no other commitments etc. I would use woad. However, I don’t live in a perfect world. I don’t have a lot of time to do needlework and the time I do have I would rather spend it on actually sewing (i.e. creating a piece of work) rather than doing prep work (i.e. dyeing wool with woad.)
Would I! I have dyed my own fibers and it was very revealing. I finally understood the relationship between the colors and the feel of the fibers. Quite a learning experience.
I’ve been toying with the idea of dyeing my own threads and ribbons so I’d consider dyeing them with woad too although I would be doing cottons and silks. I’m not sure if woad would work on those.
I woad not hand dye my own wool! To messy, chemicals and I already have three to many hobbies another one woad be to much!!!
Thanks for another fabulous give-away!!
Jean B
Summerfield NC
I woad certainly like to try dyeing my own wool for embroidery in a group situation like a class or guild – fun! I woad probably have to purchase it too though since I am a threadaholic.
Barb S., NC, USA
I will try to dye myself, considering the little space required to cultivate
Hi Mary,
I woad not. As much as I like knowing how to do things, I think I like more appreciating the skill, patience and care that others bring to creating something beautiful. Those yarns are a work of art and the love and care that went in to their making can only enhance the object created with them. Laura, VA Beach
I woad love to do my own woading, but I think the Home Association woedn’t like it very much.. Beauuuutiful blues, by the way!
Woad I ever! I have often thought I would love to have a sheep farm, and do everything from start to finish. Of course, there would be a lot to learn, but if I could retire early, I woad love to learn. Lots of work I’m sure, and woad need lots of practice to get it right. It is one of my lofty dreams! Thanks Mary; I always enjoy your writings every morning with my tea!
Hi Mary,
If there’s a market then these talented folks who supply us will still be around. On a personal note I would rather explore and develop my existing skill set and allow the fiber producers to have an outlet for theirs. I decided that for sure after taking a dyeing class!
I prefer to buy my thread and my roving (I’m also a hand spinner) already dyed for several reasons but the most important one is because it keeps the lovely folks who do that work employed. If I want to enjoy my craft and pass it along by teaching others then there has to be a support structure underneath all of us
Love your work by the way and greatly appreciate all you do for us out here in the “world”.
My best,
Vickie in Va.
i like teh woad colored blues, i really do. i woad never dye them myself though. i don’t think my nose woad stand the smell of sewage that long. i did enjoy seeing it turn from yellow to blue.
I love the idea of dyeing my own wool, but I know I’d never do it. I have so little time to stitch as is is, that dyeing myself would take away from that time. We’re just lucky there are people like Andie to do the job for us. Thank you both for a wonderful giveaway.
Carol
I woad not, and why woad I when there is such beautiful thread available to us?! I love dyed threads and appreciate all the hard woark for our woanderful addiction! What a woanderful woarld!!
Dear Mary,
Since “talking” to you acouple of days ago I have been entertained in my head with the ancient ditty ” Woad to scare your foemen – boil it to a brilliant blue and——” it is just humming along in there all day !!! Thank you for your reply, and for bringing back memories with woad to this ancient Britain.
I have never come across Renaissance wool, I always use Appletons and have been surprised you do not like it. I love the woad blues you have shown and woad love to have them – I have used natural dyes for many things in the past but never for wool for crewel, prefering being able to choose a range of values, such as the woad ones you have pictured.
I woad not try the dyeing myself,I don’t think I woad be able to produce the lovely range of blues – blue is my favourite colour, so I woad be so delighted to be lucky enough to win the woad samples.
The work you are showing us now is beautiful, looking forward to it’s progress and it is the colours that are a special delight.
Thanks for your news letter – makes my day.
Peggy
These are some of my very favorite colors and yes I woad love to win! I woad love to dye my yarn too if I had the necessary woad! This sounds like so much fun getting to play at my age with water and color LOL!
Thanks Mary for this wonderful series I have enjoyed them all and woad just love some Renaissance yarn to get me started.
I woad prefer to have my threads dyed before I touch them, as I woad be quite a klutz and woad tend to dye myself with more color on myself than the threads woad have.
While I find it fascinating to learn about the various ways of dyeing threads (and fabrics), I’m a long ways from even thinking about doing the dyeing myself, especially since such lovely threads are now readily available to purchase. As for dyeing with woad, I wouldn’t even know where to find the raw materials! It would be fun to watch someone else do this.
I can really appreciate the process for dyeing the yarn and I love this beautiful color range produced from the woad plant. Thanks for all this information as I am very interested in learning how this process works. I use the little time I have to stitch and love and appreciate the fact that someone else enjoys the process to produce such beautiful colors for all of us to choose from. Thanks for the giveaway and I woad really love to win!
Mary Ann
I would definitely be interested in dying wool. In fact, some years ago, I bought a few of the other materials used for dying like cutch but I’ve needed a push to get me going. Maybe this is it!!
I would absolutely dye my own fibres it i only had the time! Loved the atricle.
I woad not! I’ve done a class on dying your own
threads and found it interesting and fun, but I’d really rather stich than dye!
Katherine
Mary I would consider dyeing wool with woad, and have done so with other types of natural products that will take graduated colours, such as vegetables like beets; fruits with tones of red to green, but must admit that it is very difficult to dye silkribbon in graduated shades and get the depth of the true shade, so I use silk dyes for dyeing silk. I have never dyed wool, but have dyed silk floss, threads, and cotton threads.
To Woad or Not To Woad? That is the question. Whether it tis nobler..uhh…dont’ remember the rest. But I can say that Nay! I would not woad.
I could not, would not, woad.
I would not woad on a road.
I could not woad if you paid me in toads. It’s stinky and slimy and not for me.
I prefer to buy my wools for a pretty penny.
I’d take some woad if it’s passed on for free, with a great big “Thanks!” to woaders from sea to shining sea.
Loved the video on woaders and awful jobs. Yuck! Something so stinky should turn out so beautiful. Amazing.
Brenda, Wilmington, Ohio
I woad consider dyeing my fibers with woad. I think natural dyes are better to use for the envirorment. The range of color that woad gave the threads are just beautiful. As a new embroiderier and Crazy Quilter I would love to add these threads to my stash.
Woad I or Woad I not that is the question and I Woad not because of the time it takes to Woad. I watched the video dyeing process and thought”no thanks” to Woad!
I prefer, however, to have the finished product so I can “create”!
Avis
I “woad” not dye my own primarily because of the smell. I probably would if it were less noxious and I had more time on my hands but at this point I’d rather spend my time stitching!
what beautiful colorways in this wool, it would be a pleasure to work I’m sure, and I have a pattern that would look so pretty done this way,…but in answer to your question…No,I wouldn’t want to dye my own, I have read some about the process, and have no desire to take on dyeing of any kind, especially one this complicated…I’m an instant gratification type girl, like my threads already done so that I can just pick them up and start working….I guess I’m just to lazy…but I would love to win this set…thanks for the opportunity….RebeccaK.
Wow! Would I ever love a chance at dyeing my own thread/yarn with woad! I saw Tony Robinson’s episode, too. That was so interesting. The fact that it smelled like cabbage cooking wouldn’t deter me from trying it. Picky royalty & aristocrats – their noses just too sensative/refined to the smell,they made the dyers live as far away as possible. I’d love to see the material change color when the air hit it! That would be too cool! Thanks for this chance, Mary.
XoXo
Joy@tomorrowsmemories
I definitely woad NOT! I already do stinky things in my house, like rendering fat and making soap, and while my husband and boys love the end result, the stink of rendering fat sends them howling into the woods to go take up with some innocent deer! I don’t need to add to my list of stinky jobs. The result, though, oh! That is some lovely stuff! I normally cross stitch and hardanger, but I may have to veer off the beaten path for this lovely wool!
I would love to try dyeing my own threads. Unfortunately, time is an issue. There are so many things that I do that take a long time, that I can’t see when I’d be able to do this. I consider myself priviled that I can, once in a while, spend long hours working with the beautiful threads that others have lovingly dyed for me to use.
I woad love to! I’d love to see just how stinky it really is and I’d love to watch it change colors! I have visions of lovely shades of blue wool (ah, the way real wool feels!) on a creamy yellow background!
I woad so consider dyeing my own. I’d also consider spinning my own and then dyeing it. After taking a class with Phillipa Turnbull I found out that Appleton uses Shetland Wool. It’s a common breed here in the states too and I even have some in my stash to spin.
Rose
I very much admire artists …. they do the sacrafice and the hard work and I get to enjoy there creations…. I try, I really do… I sew… I quilt….I cook….and I read and researh amazing people who create beauty…..T Woad not have the talent and persistance required to produce the beautiful blue colors….. I woad love having them in my environment….
Carolyn September 29 2011 Tennessee
I woad love to try dyeing my own wool, but I don’t think I woad get good enough results to want to use the wool
Pam in IL
Oh my God, no! I would not woad! Why? I do’nt want to dash into such an adventure, especially when there are people who make it and do it well better than I would. I too, prefer to buy ready-made and to indulge myself in by serving me.
Diane from Montréal in Québec
(Hope my message is comprehensible, as I am not very good in written english.)
The colors of those wools are so yummy… but I have to say I woad not dye them myself! The process looks intriguing but I’m sure I would find a way to mess it up…
And I split the time I have in so many directions as it is with all my various needlework pursuits, that adding more to my work list would topple me like a Jenga tower! That’s why I say “no” whenever anyone asks me about crochet or knitting. Those are two skillsets I’ve failed to learn on purpose, because I don’t want to take more time away from everything else I’m doing. 
But oh, such beautiful colors! So wonderful to see that an unassuming plant can create such variety.
Woad not at this time as time is pretty slim working full time. I have often thought I might give it a try sometime in the future though, especially when the pollen in lilies stain my fingers! Would love to win!
To Woad or not to Woad that is the question! The dyeing of wool in yester-year using the Woad was no form of playing. To Woad was truly a means of making a living.
Today the mus, the fus and clothespin nose just doesn’t seem like playing. One could obtain Woad-dyed wool with just a click away and that is a form of playing. To stich and stich is dear to me and that is a given; but to Woad and Woad will time away and that is not a given.
As much as I love the thought of taking my hobbies almost as far as I can, I think I would not attempt dying of any sort. I’ve thought about this for embroidery and sewing. I have friends who are knitters and now are into spinning and dying. It’s just too much for me.
As a seamstress, I have taken it even further by learning how to embroider to really make my creations pop and have that individual part that makes it truly mine. I have even started using knotting shuttles to knot thread to couch. I really do enjoy embroidery — even when I’m unable to sew a stitch for clothing, I still enjoy my embroidery projects and start a new one before I can even finish the last one it seems! I never expected to be into embroidery as it is, but I’m glad I gave it a try.
But taking it as far as dying my own threads (or even fabrics, like some of my other sewing friends)? I just can’t. I see too much time taken up. I see a big mess (my sewing and embroidery projects already take up too much space). I see things taking me longer than they already do (and I already take way too long to embroider and sew).
While I love the concept, and know I would be fascinated about the whole process… I think I’ll leave that to those already doing it and just support them by buying their products
I have a really poor sense of color and having a set like that would be really helpful and I could pluck up the courage to try my hand at Crewel embroidery. I look forward to reading your blog everyday.
I woad only consider dyeing threads as a one time workshop. Otherwise, I woad just buy them. If I were a spinner, I might have a different attitude about this. Them I think I woad want to dye my own wool. They are such beautiful blues. But, not being a spinner, I will let the experts get those wonderful shades for me to use in my stitching.
Woad I consider dyeing my own since time couldn’t be a factor: I woad say it woad be the mess I woad create that woad prevent me. This intimidates me thinking of dyeing my kitchen in the process but it may be fun to see a speckled kitchen woadn’t it. They say you can tell the Character of a person by the mess they make and what a Character I am. I woad much rather make mess with items ready already finished and ready to What little time woad be left woad leave me threadless.
Dear Mary,
Woad is me; I am not sure if I would consider dying at all. I still have nightmares about wearing tie dyed t-shirts, underwear and nighties! But the yarn is beautiful and if I won, I woad be so happy to use it in a project! No longer woad I woan, woad is me.
-dale
I woad, if I could. If the wood around my house contained woad, I woad definitely use it. However, with my luck the woad I would find might not be woad at all and the woad could make me wish I woadn’t have tried it at all.
i have been investigating dyeing with plants lately, but so far that’s as far as i’ve gone. the blues from woad are beautiful tho…so who knows – guess time and energy are holding me back?
i do enjoy your newsletters; your embroidery work is beautiful and inspiring.
Hi,
No i never did that just because i haven’t so much space available at home to work like that. But i really wanted to! when sometimes i couldn’t get my desired colour of thread.
I definitely woad love to dye with Woad!! I always liked indigo, but when I saw the Woad dyed wool, I swooned! Woad dyed yarn sparkles.
I’ve dyed wool, but the process of the dyed item changing color when exposed to oxygen is magic! I’d love to give it a try.
That said, I’d also purchase Woad dyed yarns to save time for my many projects. The over-dying could be time consuming.
I would only consider dying with woad if it were part of a class or I was helping someone else who had already done it. I find it fascinating, but I’d rather work with the finished product than make it!
Hi Mary,
I will never try dyeing with woad. But will love to get some yarn dyed with woad
Regards,
-Viji Sunil.
Yes I woad, Mary! Thanks to your woaderful idea, I can’t stop thinking about it. I woad spin the yarn, too. Oh, woad is me, for I must get ready for work and all I woad to do, is stitch!
I woad try it, but I think I’d experiment with knitting wool first, as I’m less picky about what colors I get there than I am in embroidery.
I’ve thought about dying with woad, but not from my own garden. I live in one of those states where it’s illegal to cultivate dyer’s woad due to how noxious it is to the local rangeland. The only effective way to get rid of it is pulling it out by hand, so land owners can be very receptive to volunteers coming to pull out their woad plants. Not only could I get as much dyer’s woad as I please, but I’d be helping my community and environment.
Oh,,,woad is me! Someday, I would like to try woad. I love the idea of creating something so beautiful! You woad have to really love fiber arts to want to do it…and I do. I already searched my yard for the plant. I have an impressive amount of dandelions!…hmmm. maybe that would make yellow dye..:)
How much woad woad a woad chuck woad if a woad chuck could chuck woad?
I woad chuck a truck load of woad embroidery if I only could win this woad load of beautiful wool!
Oh, dear! Sigh
Oh Woad is Me – can’t think about dying anything right now as I am training a 9 week old puppy – just being able to stitch is a challenge. But she will learn, that stitching is a priority!!!! Great giveaway – thanks!!
Blue is my favorite color, but I don’t think I have the patience to dye my own threads with woad. Sounds like an intense and lengthy process, but I sure enjoyed reading about it. And thank goodness there are people who are willing and able to do it; the threads are so lovely.
And blue is my favorite color…did I already say that?
Renaissance Dying has such lovely yarns and threads, and I would be thrilled to win some. I very much admire my SCA friends who dye using historically correct methods. But for me, no. I am happy to let others deal with the messy process. And I will happily embroider, knit, and weave with their lovely products.
Any dyeing I have done has always been unintentional, like turning my husband’s pristine white underwear a delicate shade of pink in the washing machine. Plus I’ve seen the Tony Robinson show about dyeing and I have an adorable Shih Tzu prone to bladder infections so I really don’t want any more stale pee about the house, so I have to vote I woad not!
Lisa in Stirling, ON
The thought of dyeing my own threads terrifies me! I think I’d end up being the dyed one – not the threads. So, I’m definitely in the “buy them already dyed” category. Maybe in my next life …
Don’t leave me BLUE – hope I win the threads!
I have dyed ribbon before and it was quite fun – but this woad process sounds a little more technical, so I think I won’t be doing that. Then there is the noxious weed part…
But seeing all those colors emerge – what a joy!
I woud rather try dying with indigo than woad… but the colors are gorgeous! I woud love to win them.
Jane
Hi Marymentor:
I “woad” love to do my own dying but clearly, living in a Senior facility have nowhere to do so. This is why I love your website because I can learn and learn and learn even if I can’t always do do do. This wool would really work well on the pastoral scene I’m doing so I’m crossing my fingers and toes to win !
Thanks for your continuing tutelage
Judy in Pittsburgh
I would love to dye … but it seems like dyeing takes away from the time to stitch! Plus in my one bedroom apartment, I don’t want to take the room to have pots and drying areas, etc. So … I would love to win pre-dyed materials!
Mary-
I woad not dye — there isn’t time but I woad love those beautiful threads
I’m on the yellowbrick woad toward retirement and maybe then there woud be time for such fun — but it is a long and winding woad. Christie
I actually have dyed with woad before. It was a really fun project. What’s keeping me from doing it again are my kids (4 under the age of 8 with a set of toddler twins.) I’ve done indigo vats as well, and having them around with little people just is a recipe for disaster. One day, when they’re bigger, I want to get back to doing again. I live in one of those areas where woad is a noxious plant and is not allowed to be grown, but its sure easy to gather, so its just taunting me.
I would not consider dying yarn with woad. I understand this plant is very invasive, and some US states ban it altogether.
I woad love to have these woad dyed yarns, but really really don’t want to dye the woad. My nose doesn’t work as well as it used to, but I think I might still gag on the woad smell. Thanks for the give-away.
Carol
Hi Mary, Just recently discovered Needle’n Thread! What a wonderful resource you provide for all of us self-taught stitchers of the world.
I woad dye if woad I had. Actually time is pretty short these days but I am certain I’ll have a go at dyeing one of these days, years…
Thanks for the giveaway.
Mary, the colours of the woad dyed yarn is beautiful. The process is facinating but not for me. I hate having my hands stained! Thanks for posting the wonderful videos and information.
Cheers, Linda Adam
Ontario, Canada
It has been a long time plan of mine to try to dye with woad.
I wanted to grow it, harvest it, and then dye with it. Then I found out it is against the law to plant it in my area. Still debating about trying to find a “wild” patch and nurture it.
I’d rather get the dyed yarns so that I can use it for any project.
Usha
As a medieval recreationist I loooove the idea of getting threads like these! That said as cool as I find them I probably wouldn’t dye them myself – it’s a neat idea but I have so many projects already, I’d never get around to it. One of those things that I don’t need to do myself since other people will sell me the results.
Woad I? Woad that I could?
Space, time, and Mr Grumpy would see that as Not “For Better”, but definitely “For Worse”
Of course I would dye far too much yarn and start loads of projects but end up with not enough to finish the task and be unable to recapture the dye shade and so there would be more….
In short I woad if I could but I can’t. Renaissance Dying know what they are doing – I’d trust them to get the shades perfect!!
Thank you for the kind deal.
Yes, I woad dye blue eggs and ham –
These blues are lovely, Sam I Am!
I woad not dye it in the house,
I woad not dye it with a mouse.
I like blue eggs and ham, you see,
But the smell is far too foul for me.
If I woad dye a color card,
I must go dye it in the yard.
If I woad dye it in the sink,
I’d be in trouble from the stink.
My husband put his foot down, so -
To the back yard stinky things must go.
Eventually I’d like to give it a try, smell and all, but that will have to wait until I no longer live in an attached apartment with no proper outdoor space to set up long-term. Also, I suppose it would help if I waited until I didn’t have a toddler AND a baby in the house, who can’t really fend for themselves for long periods of time while Mommy is dipping wool.
I’ve just bought a spinning wheel, and I’m spinning up my first undyed wool (which is lovely and lots of fun), and I’ve been thinking about the possibilities of dying my yarns (or the wool before spinning). For now I’ll have to stick to non-toxic food dyes, but if I had my druthers I’d lean toward experimentation with natural dyes rather than chemical, and a garden that could supply me with my dyes.
I totally woad, but only if someone could come and help me! I’ve only ever done Kool-Aid dyeing. My 11yo daughter woad LOVE to try it out, she would drag me along. And I don’t seem to have any time for stitching anyway just now. I have a lovely smocked dress in the works and it’s taking forever!
I woad! Actually, I woad do both. I’m learning how to spin and dye my own thread. It’s slow going (only because I’m still not good at the hand spinning part) but I’m looking forward to trying the woad dyeing. I had been told that woad wasn’t allowed to be grown in the US at all, but after reading the article here, I did some research and I found that I *am* able grow it in Texas. Yay!
To woad or not to woad THAT is the question!! I woad not be likely to dye fibers myself as I don’t have access to any woad at the moment and prefer to purchase my threads in their finished state. A bit lazy I know, but what I prefer for now. Yes, I would consider trying to dye my own….perhaps at my next retreat!! I hope to win as I have a project in process that contains a lot of blue wool and I would love to create some flowers, etc with this thread! Wish me luck!! Leslie
When such lovely wool is available there seems like there is not any reason to do it myself. It is a wonderful treat however to find out the history of the colors.
I’ll leave the woad dying to the professionals! I wouldn’t want the dying to take away from my stitching time!
Its one of those things I’ve always rather wanted to do, but never quite got around to. I got as far as buying a Woad plant and planting it in my garden, but it didn’t “take”.
Maybe when I move…..
Great tip about the Rit, though, I would have done it the old fashioned way.
Hi Mary,
I’ve been thinking about you, your “small tapestry project of the lady and unicorn and woad dying. I’m currently reading Tracy Chevalier’s “The Lady and the Unicorn” which is a fictional story of the creation of the unicorn tapestries. One of the more unsavory characters is the Woad dyer who is disliked because of the repulsive smell of woad that has permeated his body and precedes his arrival. So I don’t think woad dying is for me. The book is entertaining and depicts the process of tapestry production from painting to drawing to the actual weaving of the tapestries.
At this time I woad not dye my own threads. It is interesting and I have read many articles about dying but it always comes back to time. Having the time to do it. It;s in my mind, soooo maybe someday.
To wode or not to wode: that is the questions: Whether tis nobler to let Renaissance Dyeing suffer the blue hands of fortune,
Or to endure blue arms in the sea of blue…….
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the the native hue of blue,
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought – and my desire of lovely wode blue threads adorning my linen in all it’s glory. –
Shakespeare’s Hamlet Act 3 as interpreted by Paula Guisinger
Yes I would definitely use woad to dye yarns. My daughter and I love to see the beautiful colors emerge from the dye baths.
You also feel a feeling of accomplishment.
Love it.
Luella Dusek
I woad try at least once to try to dye my own with woad because blue is my and has always been my favorite colour.
Thanks for GIVEAWAY
Audrey D
Northern California
USA
I would consider dyeing with woad, but I currently don’t have the space in my apartment to do so! I’m hoping when we’ve moved to somewhere larger, I’ll have more crafting space – and therefore some dyespace!
I wuv woud. Weally, I do. I would dye for woud.
Wait. Where in the world would the woud weside? Wwen would I dye woud? So: no space, no time, no woud.
wosina
I “woad” if I “coad” dye my own threads. It would be fun to try. I have never tried to dye threads or fabric. Retirement is going to be so busy with all the “stitchy” things I can do:)
would love to try dying but do not have the time
I would adore having some of the woad-dyed wool. I have had in mind for years a project I want to stitch, a set of curtains for my dining room. I have collected a fair amount of Medici which is lovely wool yarn to stitch them with, but not nearly enough. Now, as you know, Medici is not available, at least only leftovers that some distributors have. I’d enjoy seeing how this wool compares. As to woad I or not dye my own wool – having no sheep available and not really liking the idea of blue hands, it would be ever so much nicer to simply have some of the woad-dyed wool dropped in my lap serendipitously. Sorry, I guess I’m not much good at entertaining. Just saying…
I think I’m in love. I would woad. Do I need to grow my own plants, I think I could do this. So glad I found your site!!!
I would woad!! Love trying new stuff, besides where we live, I wouldn’t be able to buy the woad dyed yarn if I wanted to. My husband sometimes thinks I’m crazy, as I always try and learn to do new stuff. Infact, since we grown our own cotton, I have been trying to locate a spinning wheel. So, see, that would be the best reason to woad.
I woad try growing
This agricultural pest;
Those glorious blues
Doth it’s worth attest.
I woad try mixing
A kettle-full of “mess”.
Fermenting and stinking;
and staining my dress.
Just for the pleasure
of stitching up such stuff;
And watching my neighbors
move away, in a huff.
I woad love to try to dye my own wool.
woad also like to know if we can buy the plant here in the states so I could have it in my garden to experiment with other materials for other craft projects. I would love to hear more about other plants that can be used in this same manner.I woad love to win these beautifully dyed threads 
I would love to witness the process but, don’t think I’d
dye my own. I’m afraid I would ruin the vat with drips and Peeing on yarn would not go over well with
my mate.
It makes me appreciate those beautiful colors even more!
Mary, I love your blog and website! I woad love to have the wool threads. As for using woad to dye with–I probably never will. I have done some easy dyeing with heat fix dyes. That is the way for me to work. Fast and easy.
Thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve really enjoyed reading all of the comments. I’ve dyed fabrics and threads with onion skins, rust, turmeric and saffron, but any time there’s been an indigo pot within driving distance, I haven’t been able to get there. I love the blues of indigo and woad and would love to try dyeing with either. I was quite fascinated by woad when I learned my ancestors used to dye themselves with it–I wonder if it could be used like henna for tattoos. Years ago I investigated woad and learned we don’t have enough sun in our small yard to successfully grow it. I still may give it a try. I’ve recently been looking again at buying processed woad (ready to dye with) to try. And I’d love to be entered in your drawing.
I don’t think I’ll ever start dyeing with woad… I don’t have enough time NOW to do the projects I’d like to! But I HAVE bought wool from Renaissance dyeworks, and it’s lovely!
I absolutely woad (haha) give dyeing with woad a shot! I have done some natural dyeing before and woad sounds really exciting, much more vibrant than alot of the colors one can achieve with natural dyes or at least with my limited skill set. I’ would like to see if it grows in the NYC area and if so give a shot foraging for some.
I woad love to try this but buying pure wool is not in my budget.I have dyed material with beet juice,aspargus water and also blueberry juice,if it leaves a colored water I dye a small piece to see.Would love to win this wool as I’m trying needle painting now on a piece of crewel with leaves and flowers.On a funny note,one time I wanted to save the juice and my boys drank the beet juice and said I didn’t put in enough sugar!
Hi! I’m fascinated by the processes of medieval/Renaissance textile dying, but largely unable to participate in it myself. I live in a small apartment that’s set into the ground such that my “balcony” is really just a concrete cube with 5-foot walls. I have enough sill space for a few kitchen herbs, but growing anything is a struggle. I’d love to get elbows deep in dying, but it’s just not a realistic goal right now.
Hi Mary,
I enjoy trying things at least once, but given the *smell* that was described during the woad-dying videos the other day, I have to say that I probably “woad” not. If I could travel and participate in a woad-dying demonstration or something, I might be coerced into participating, but I have a problem with nasty smells – I’m not sure I could do it.
Would love to win some that are already dyed and have reached their brilliant state of pretty blue already
Good morning Mary,
Thank you for the give away. If I have extra time I would spend it on stitching and leave the dyeing to another, its great though to learn about the process.
Best,
Maria VF
Hello,
I defiantly woad love to try dyeing my own yarn with woad. I studied textiles at uni and had a great time learning to dye fabrics and yarns. Never tried with woad though, just indigo!
Love the blog!
Rach
Hello–Am loving your website and the blues are gorgeous and would be much appreciated! Keep up the good work. I don’t know how you get so much done…
Dawn again. from Springfield OH I woad not because 1) I think (and my husband agrees) I have too many hobbies and B) it woad just be too messy.
I woad not dye my own for one simple reason–clutziness. The thought of dye, fabric, kitchen, me gives me the chills. Make mine easy–just show me where to buy it.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Mary,
Woad me not! I couldn’t take the smell! And besides that…the time. I would rather spend the time working on a project. The Woad range of wool from Renaissance Dying is beautiful.
Thanks for your website and emails. I learn so much and look forward to it everyday.
Sheila
Well Mary, when I was a teenager, I helped my Mom put up beets from the garden. For the next three or four weeks, I walked around with beet colored hands – up to my wrists. I spent alot of time with my hands in my pockets. That’s exactly what would happen if I tried to dye anything. Don’t say that I should wear gloves because, one way or another, I WOULD dye my hands. I’m just funny that way (and somewhat of a turkey).
I would LOVE to win these threads and I thank you for the opportunity!
Christy
botm2@yahoo.com
Hi Mary, I would only take the trouble to dye my own thread/yarn if needlework was my primary employment rather than a relaxing hobby . It’s a fascinating subject and it would be wonderful to be able to offer clients finished needlework using thread dyed by the needle artist. I think of it as being just like an artist mixing colors for a painting in order to capture and express a unique vision. I would love to use this yarn for a crewel project. Thank you for yet another great giveaway!
Susie H in Minnesota
Mary- I woad Love to try dying with woad. I did natural dying of wool in college and enjoyed it so much. The thought of getting color out of plants that are around me is so satisfying. The blue is gorgeous, too. I plan to get myself an outdoor propane burner to use for dying. Thank you! -Cindy
I would probably not dye my own wool with woad – but that’s only because I have very little experience with dyeing.
Thanks for the give away!
Mary,
I woad probably not attempt to dye thread with woad because I lack space, time, and equipment. I would probably make a blue-dyed disaster of the process anyway!
Hi. First of all I recently stumbled onto your website and I love it! There are not enough places to talk about embroidery free-handand crewel. I would attempt to dye my wool with woad because I love threads, silks, wools, and any kind of material. I like to do my projects from start to finish as much as possible and am intrigued by the way tasks were completed without the use of mass production techniques. One day I would like to get a spinning wheel to try and spin cotton. Wouldn’t that be cool?
I woad not, mostly because I don’t know a thing about it and my learning curve would be huge! But I can appreciate great yarn! I wouldn’t mind participating in a woad-dying demonstration, though.
Love your blog!
Caroline
Woad you or woad you not?
NOT!!!
I’m glad someone does it so we have lovely blue threads, but I’d rather stitch.
Carol S.
I would not try to dye my own threads with woad. It’s not that the idea isn’t tempting. It is very tempting! But I have so many projects in various stages of completion and so many more that I want to do, I have to be selective about what new things I take on. While it sounds like it would be fun, if the choice is between being able to do that and being able to say work on learning goldwork, I’d rather leave the dyeing to the professionals.
Hi Mary! After watching the YouTube videos on woad dyeing, I think this is best left to professionals or a group dye-in. One of the local spinners/weavers guilds has done the indigo vat in the past so maybe this is something they would take on–& an event to which I would beg an invitation! My EGA chapter sponsors a dyeing day every year with synthetic dyes. I’ve gotten good results & have used the items, linen, threads & silk ribbon, for various projects. I would also point out that old fashioned tea dyeing can be fun & tasty–different teas resulting in different colors. Subtle, elegant results. So put me down as a “woad not” without the supervision of experts!
What a lovely give-away. And what clever – very clever responses your give-away has inspired!
Although I am very interested in natural dyes – the process and results, I would prefer to dye fabrics rather than the potentially tangly threads and yarns. After watching the very fun, informative, interesting videos posted yesterday and learning about the ostracizing of woad dyers due to the smell, no I probably would not dye my own threads using woad (especially when we have the competent folks at Renaissance Dyeing doing it for us).
To woad or not to woad………..hmmmm, will give this a miss as the specialist dyers are experienced and dedicated, even to accepting blue hands! I feel they deserve our support so I plan to order some of the Renaissance range from them. Would love to do some Chinese pottery designs in the woad range.
All the best, Gail (Burlington, ON)
First the entertainment:
Woad dark, woad light,
A lovely blue to stitch so bright;
Water pale to deep midnight,
That’s the woad I wish tonight.
or if you’re feeling Hobbitish:
The woad goes ever on and on
Out from the pot where it began…
——–
In answer to your question, I would like to try dyeing with woad. I just started learning dyeing this year with acid dyes so I have to spend some more time there. But it’s on the list for sure. There’s something so satisfying about getting the EXACT colour you want.
What a wonderful opprotunity to try out something new. I woad not try dying my own wool as for a start, I live in Africa and woad not where to find woad here. I only have a very small kitchen and would not relish the mess I am sure I woad make.
Granny Pam
As much as I like challenges, I have to say that I woad not dye my own. The biggest reason why not is that I know someone else already does it better than I could. I just like to stitch with it. Another reason is that I just don’t have time or space to set up a dying area. I would think for something like this there would need to be a dedicated space and time. I barely have time to stitch as it is.
Thanks, Mary, for the fun question and opportunity to win some of that beautiful blue, (my favorite color), wool thread.
Hi Mary! I’ve toyed with the idea of doing more than tea and tie dying, but unfortunately, I just don’t have the extra $$ to waste incase the project goes south on me. I appreciate the give-a-way, “woadn’t” it be nice to win such lovely yarn? You bet!
Sandy
Well, Mary, I have to say that I woad NOT dye with woad. Although I found it fascinating, and enjoyed the video clips so much I watched them twice, I was discouraged at the discription of the odor created by the process. I live too close to my neighbors! And although it’s a lovely shade of blue,the idea of it becoming the color of my perspiration put me off the idea completely! So I’m crossing my non-blue fingers and hoping I’m chosen!
Thanks and Happy Stitching!
Oh, my woad! Woadn’t it be woaderful to win the woad dyed yarn? I woad certainly put it to good use. I have the perfect project for it!
Love your woadsite!!
Mary, I woad NOT dye my own fibers! I love fibers, colors and textures…and I have all kinds! I think I would have to find a new home if I said I wanted to try dyeing fibers. I have a tendency to go overboard with anything I try. Therefore, I have enough (so says the DH) but the colors are delicious!
Cathy from MI
I totally woad! I love dyeing silk ribbon its very addicting. So dyeing wool with weeds sounds like fun. Now I just need a bigger workroom.
I might woad once, but since indigo doesn’t require a mordant, some of which are toxic, I think I would indigo for my blues instead.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the opportunity of the give away. I woad not dye my own yarn because I could never get it to look as good as what is available commericially.
I love hand dyed yarn, floss and fabric for unique looking projects.
Jan B. in Florida
I am absolutely in the camp of buying the wool already dyed with woad. The reason is simple its the climate – someone kindly gave me woad seeds some time ago but they refused to germinate! and although I have done some natural dyeing in 2009.I think its a task better done outside and the climate in Scotland recently has just not been co-operating with my aspirations….
After reading how people in the Renaissance era dyed fabric using woad, and watching the video, I am truly inspired now to try that on my own! I have been thinking where in my yard to plant the woad—hhhhhhhhmmmmm-perhaps the side yard, or maybe I’ll set aside the back area! When I watched the video, I was so enthralled with how the minute the wool was exposed to the air, it started turning blue! The people of that time MUST have thought it magical, especially when they saw it happen the first time! I wonder who the first person to discover the properties of woad was and I would have loved to see their reaction!
What I Woadn’t give to win the Woad Dyed thread contest! I mean I Woad just Dye to run my fingers through the luxuriously Woadiful threads of My Blue Heaven! So in a perfect world I Woad have an artist studio with dyeing vats and hanging/drying lines.
It Woadn’t Madder Sumach to me
If I could Weld the color in cloth or yarn
as the Woad
Woad be my color charm to keep me health-ee
Of course I Woad Glastum have a raised garden behind my studio to grow my Woad and to harvest the first year and gather the winged seeds the second year.
Vicki S in Denver
I would absolutely love to try dying wool with woad. Don’t know if you have seen the recent movied Arthur (about King Arthur) The Druids dyed their bodies with woad, and, in fact, were referred to as “woads.” I am really drawn to the direct shades of blue which appear on your web site. I am going to do a little research, to determine if the plant grows wild in Western Pennsylvania.
I am fascinated at how nature does things so perfectly. Do you know about the purple dye so valued in the Holy Land centuries ago and for which one of the first Christians after Jesus was crucified was a woman by the name of Lydia who was a dealer in purple. The reason it was so prized was because it took thousands of snails to make a small amount of this dye extracted from the oil in the snail and only found along the shores of the Dead Sea. The freshly dyed cloth was exposed to the sun and the length of exposure determined the colour being indigo, red or purple. This plant is kinder isn’t it than harvesting snails and yes, I would buy the threads but leave the dying to experts like Lydia. Thank you for giving us so much to learn on your website. Alice Hughes, British Columbia
I woad not. I love to work with wool (knit, crochet, stitch, hairpin lace etc) but not confident of dying. The blues are fabulous!
love this giveaway. My favorite colorway.
I definitely would like to try dyeing with woad! It looks like fun, and afterward I’d have a pretty new fiber to use in my stitching. This was a great topic, Mary.
I found the video’s working with woad very interesting. I don’t think that we have the plant here but it would be very interesting to pull some wool out of a vat and see it change in the air from white to blue. But seeing the reaction to the smells it would have the be a very windy day, with the wind in the opposite direction for me to try it..but then there is still the curiosity factor.
I surely woadn’t try it myself. Although, woadn’t blue fingers look great for Halloween? I woad much rather buy some woaderful colors of yarn from somewoad else. Adrienne Gaudette
Yes, I like to dye my yarn and yes I like to buy it in a very nice color (if it’s the one I had in mind or one that tickle my fantasy). I bought some indigo woad powder in Egypt some years ago and I hope to find the perfect moment to experiment with it soon. Thank you for this great giveaway.
I do like to buy my fibers/wool already dyed because I’m just not sure of the process.
I have tye-dyed shirts before so I suppose it’s not too different, right?
Oh, I definitely woad. I woad have no hesitation about dyeing my own woad yarn. I woad love to get my hands on some woad wool and woad love it forever, I woad, I woad. I am sure I could (and woad) make something beautiful with it, if I woad only have the opportunity.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Amanda
from na almost nonexistent town in SW Indiana
I would definitely support the artisan who makes such beautiful wool by purchasing it from them. Don’t see me dying my own anytime in the near future as I’m at my busyness capacity!
This is so beautiful!!
I love naturally-dyed yarns. I do embroidery for medieval costume. I actually have some woad I’d like to use to dye embroidery and weaving yarn.
I have a stash of Renaissance Dyeing’s yarns already
I woad not because….as much as I think it would be fun [I remember the fun tie dying T-shirts in school] I also remember when I thought it woad be fun to combine all the ends of lipsticks I had once. I got a bain marie going, an apron on and out came…the ugliest color you ever saw! I have a feeling I would manage to do the same again. I’m too impatient!
Thanks – Audrey
While it woad be fun to give it a try, I doubt I would do it more than once. With Rennaisance Dyeing making such nice yarn available online, I woad almost certainly just buy theirs so I’d have more time for working on my crewel projects.
Dyeing sounds intriguing, but, I’ve sort of taken a vow to avoid starting crafts that just produce materials for other crafts. I already have a huge stash of stuff for projects, and I don’t want to start a stash to make things that will then go into something else.
So far, it’s working.
I might try it! I have a friend who runs dye workshops here in New Mexico. I’ll have to ask him if Woad would grow here in the desert. He has lived and dyed (oh that is bad) all over the world.
For now I would just like to have the beautiful blue threads.
Elaine in Las Cruces NM
I shared your ‘woad’ link on The Quilt Show website forum and rec’d this comment from a British quilter… Just have to share with you and your readers! As for me, I’d not dye my own as I’d rather just USE it, but I’ve already had way wayyyy too much fun with your link for any one person! ha
“The Woad Ode”
Written by William Hope-Jones
Music by Men of Harlech
Lyrics by William Hope-Jones
Published 1921, The Hackney Scout Songbook
Language English
Recorded by Joe Hickerson
The Woad Ode is a humorous song, set to the tune of Men of Harlech. It recounts the ancient British tradition of fighting naked in woad dye, but is not intended as a history lesson. It first became popular in 1920s as a song in the British Boy Scouts[1] and first appeared in The Hackney Scout Song Book (Stacy & Son Ltd, 1921). The author was William Hope-Jones, a housemaster at Eton,[2] who wrote it some time before 1914, as he sang it at a College dinner at that time. “Ho Jo” appears in the M.R. James’ ghost story Wailing Well (1928), in which a group of masters take the Eton Scout Troop on an ill-fated camping expedition.
1.
What’s the use of wearing braces?
Spats and hats and boots with laces?
Vests and pants you buy in places
Down on Brompton Road?
What’s the use of shirts of cotton?
Studs that always get forgotten?
These affairs are simply rotten,
Better far is woad.
Woad’s the stuff to show men.
Woad to scare your foemen.
Boil it to a brilliant hue
And rub it on your back and your abdomen.
Ancient Briton ne’er did hit on
Anything as good as woad to fit on
Neck or knees or where you sit on.
Tailors you be blowed!!
2.
Romans came across the channel
All dressed up in tin and flannel
Half a pint of woad per man’ll
Clothe us more than these.
Saxons you can waste your stitches
Building beds for bugs in britches
We have woad to clothe us which is
Not a nest for fleas
Romans keep your armours.
Saxons your pyjamas.
Hairy coats were made for goats,
Gorillas, yaks, retriever dogs and llamas.
March on Snowdon with your woad on,
Never mind if you get rained or snowed on
Never want a button sewed on.
Go it Ancient Bs!!
Lynn
I love the shades of blue that woad produces, and I’ve tried my hand at dyeing my own threads, but the woad process is a little beyond me right now. I’d love to try, though!
I would love to dye my own threads with woad. I am very new to crewel embroidery (just in the beginning stages of learning…), but I am an early-modern historian with a keen interest in textiles, and wool-processing traditions, and love to try new things. My mother is a punch-needle rug hooker and dyes much of her own wool: it is a fascinating process to watch– a real art in itself. We live across the country from each other now, which limits our mother-daughter activities mostly to Christmas celebrations, but I am looking forward to learning from her, some day.
~Elizabeth Mary
Woad I the plant, I woad dye the wool blue!
The past two weeks I dyed 6 yards of wool crepe green. Bravely done, it worked! I obtained the most glorius emerald of greens, and competed a Frontal, Super Frontal and Pulpit fall (sorry – machine applique and machine embroidery – gasp…, as it had to be completed in a week, but it is stunning! Still the stole and veil to complete before this Sunday.)
Advent fast approaches…. woad is me… that I had a beautiful blue for the next set of paraments:)
Woad? Of course I’ll dye with woad given the chance! Let woad join the ranks of hibiscus flowers, osage orange sawdust, tumeric, black walnuts, jagua fruit from Panama, eucalyptus and other natural sources that I’ve used to dye my woolly threads.
Give then amount of beer that my dearest husband drinks while we cruise on our sailboat here in the Caribbean, urine won’t even be a problem! I wonder it woad would work to paint temporary tattoos on our skin like the jagua fruit does if it stains hands? This could be fun….
Thanks for sharing your experience with woad with us all!
Terry SailingKnitter
I’m definitely in the “woad-not” group! Knowing a little about woad dyeing makes working with the yarn much more enjoyable, but I’ll leave the process itself to the professionals. I also love knowing a bit about the flax-to-linen procedure, but wouldn’t tackle the growing of flax, or the making of fine linen. But I certainly LOVE working with linen and with silk, and with beautifully died wool. Thank you, Mary, for making embroidery ever more enjoyable by filling us in on the history and processes and the many background stories of embroidery and embroiderers.
-Cindy in Oriole, PA
I would not woad, too much work. I love seeing how things are made–loved the video on pin making–but would rather spend my time stitching.
Keep up the wonderful posts–I learn so much from them.
Diana K
Sioux Falls
This is a tough one. I dyed satin play scarves for my daughter and her friend for Christmas last year. It was a bit tedious and very involved. Plus some of the colors did not come out. I think if a part of a group, like in a class, I woad dye my own cloth. I think it would give me more control!
Hi Mary,
I wouldn’t dye my own, but the colors are beautiful nonetheless.
Camille
After reading Marlene’s comment, I would do it but only enough to build a stock for myself. Currently, I “nature” dye (onion skins, tea bags, etc).
That poem by Elisabeth above is wonderful!
I woad not, although I’d like to try. The neighbours would *most definitely* kill me if I hung dripping hands of dyed wool from the balcony! *grin*
Hello,
Normally I would not even dream of dying my own wool but this year I have set myself the motto: ‘Try something new’, so we have been eating the strangest things and I have been making foraged liqueurs (sloe and elderberry) just to be less influenced by what the supermarkets say I should like. It has led me to make quince jelly one day and raw food the next. I have presented all with a poker face to my four children (aged 8, 6, 4 and 2) as the most normal thing in the world…and they love it. Just don’t tell them. I would love to try new embroidery techniques and since I saw 17th century embroidery work in Bath (England)I have just yearned to reproduce pieces as closely as possible. My material costs have certainly gone up and this prize would really help. Thank you for your website Mary, it definitely introduces the ‘something different to me’.
Sandra, Swindon, England
I would love to try dying wool with woad. I am a teacher and think it would be a great experience to share with my students to teach them about life in medieval times as well as chemistry.
Monica D.
I would love to dye my yarns, I have dyed fabric for my quilts before, however, I now live in a vcery small home and have no room to dye anything. I love the shades of blue you have posted. Thanks for the chance to win these lovelies. Velia
I woad love to try dying my own yarn and actually have access to jacob sheep and their wool. Just need to learn how to get the raw wool to the finalized yarn state!
I’d certainly Woad! I love learning about anything Fiber-ish from raw materials to finished product! The only thing stopping me from trying it now is the lack of woad plants growing wild near my location!(hint-hint! If anyone has any seeds, I’d like to see about getting some….)
I woad really like to win the woad-dyed yarn. Why? Because I woad never dye any myself – my nose is just too sensitive! But my eyes like the color. If I won it would pacify both nose and eyes!
I really found this interesting. I love the natural color range of blues. Hope I win
Of course I might try!
Isatis tinctoria
Would be part of my historia,
If through computer selection
I win this beautiful collection.
If not, woad is me, I will be blue,
But I’ll still be grateful and thankful to you!
Good luck to all you cutters and dyers out there, from Celtic Cate
Hi Mary, Dyeing woad would be a widdle bit to wooeee on the nose for me, so I’ll be happy with the ready bought ‘stuff’.
I woad if I could but alas I have no woad.
Woad you please tell me how i could get some,
woad you please?
No I would not dye my own thread. I am not into dying thread or fabrics and would rather buy it all done for me.
How much woad could a woadchuck chuck if a
woadchuck could chuck woad? And what is chucking ???
Oh, my!!! What a lot of work and so easy to make a mistake but oh so beautiful. I woadn’t dye my own yarn. It’s not that I am lazy, it’s that I woad like to spend my time using that gorgeous yarn to make something to cherish.
Karen
Hi Mary, how exciting!! When I went to the Renaissance Dyeing website and read the history and techniques on their site I wanted to start dyeing straight away!! Unfortunately I don’t have woad and have 3 children (4 counting hubby!!) and so many projects on the go and so little time! I have bookmarked their site as I love their colours and am gathering threads for a crewel project. I teach a small class of juniors and think that they would love to have the opportunity to experience natural dyeing, so I shall obviously have to make some time and learn these techniques!