Spin Off · Article
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| From | Spin Off |
| Author | Stefanie Johnson |
| Published | February 25, 2026 |
| Format |
Hapazome Dyeing Techniques on Fiber & Yarn
This article is part of Spin Off All Access. Sign in to check your access.
Materials
Fiber CVM/Border Leicester wool (2 Ovejas Fiber), 4 oz (113 g).
Fresh plants known as dyestuff Flambé French marigolds (Tagetes patula), black knight scabiosa (Scabiosa atropurpurea), and sulfur cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) are shown here. Stefanie also used bicolor dyer’s coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), Japanese indigo (Persicaria tinctoria), and red upright prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera), not shown here.
Other supplies Flat-headed hammer; flat, hard work surface; dedicated dyepot with lid and steamer basket; plastic wrap; distilled water or rainwater; aluminum sulfate (alum) mordant; vinegar; large sheets of paper.
Hapazome roving samples (hammered then spun, heat-set after spinning)
Flambé French Marigold Yarn 2-ply DK weight (about 1,450 ypp; 10 wpi), 19 yd (17.4 m).
Black Knight Scabiosa Yarn 2-ply DK weight (about 1,150 ypp; 10 wpi), 20 yd (18.3 m).
Hapazome yarn samples (spun then hammered and heat-set)
Flambé French Marigold Yarn 3-ply DK weight (about 1,100 ypp; 11 wpi), 52 yd (47.5 m).
Swatch needle Size 8 (5 mm).
Gauge 24 sts and 29 rows = about 4" (10 cm) in cable pattern, blocked.
Sulfur Cosmos Yarn 3-ply fingering weight (about 2,200 ypp; 14 wpi), 98 yd (89.6 m).
Swatch needle Size 2 (2.75 mm).
Gauge 31 sts and 45 rows = about 4" (10 cm) in cable pattern, blocked.
When dyeing spinning fiber, it’s all about the color. To make this color magic happen, there is another often overlooked key player in the dyeing process: water.
Article · Spin Off
Dive into the basics of hand dyeing yarn and understand the different approaches depending on the fiber, from cotton to wool.
eBook · Spin Off · Free eBook
Learn how to create stunning naturally-dyed yarn with simple ingredients.
Article · Spin Off
Martha Owen's Crescent Shawl was knitted using handspun of different origins, textures, and colors. This article illustrates the gifts of piece dyeing—the process of dyeing a textile after the work is done.
Article · Spin Off
Explore Fred Gerber's method of studying a prospective dye plant—which he called "the investigative method"—designed to assess the dye potential and produce a range of colors from a single dyestuff.
Three experienced dyers share their tips for getting started with natural dyes the easy way.
Create beautiful yellows, golds, and oranges using a few grocery items: yellow or red onion skins, alum (used for canning), and vinegar.
Article · Spin Off
See how overdyeing with natural dyestuffs can create breathtaking results!
Article · Spin Off
eBook · Spin Off
Article · Spin Off
