Dyeing wool

This summer we watched poke-berry take over a corner of our backyard. Most of the berries were eaten by birds, but I did manage to snip off a few that ripened before the birdies could get at them. Here is how I used a poisonous but pretty wild herb to dye a clump of wool:

Materials
Wool or whatever you're dyeing (could be a silk scarf, paper, other piece of cloth)
Vinegar
Course salt (used for rinsing later)
Gloves
Zip-lock bag
Poke-berries (could also use red onion peels, red cabbage, elderberries, etc)
Keep in mind this process takes a month to complete

1. Cover area and use gloves 'cause this stuff gets everywhere. Spread the wool out and place the poke-berries and whatever else you want to use as a dyeing agent.
2. Roll up and squish the berries inside of the wool.

3. Add a cup of vinegar to the bag and put your wool inside. Let it sit like this for 2 weeks.
4. Once the 2 weeks are over, rinse out the wool using some type of course salt (sea salt, or kosher salt works fine).

5. Now let it dry for 2 more weeks. I know...the waiting kills me!


6. Alright, it's ready to go!

Down the slide

Here we were at the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association block party. Lots of food, a canoe filled with pop, cheap Free State brews, live music, a cake walk, and some weird hat contest! I love our town:)


Brigs had more fun eating the chalk than he did the food..and learned how to do the slipper-slide.