Discover Bundle Dyeing with Wool and Natural Dyes
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EmailPerfect for anyone interested in crafting, this experience will give you a glimpse into the world of natural dyeing. With your host Ria’s help, you’ll learn the bundle dyeing technique, creating your own naturally unique and colourful British wool scarf or sock blank.
You’ll be able to choose to dye a scarf or a yarn sock blank. The scarf has been knitted by Ria using her bespoke Shetland-Romney lambswool yarn, and the sock blank is made from a 100% wool sock yarn from Corriedale sheep.
You'll experiment with colour and pattern to create your finished piece. A selection of seasonal, homegrown and responsibly foraged flowers, leaves and even vegetables will be ready for you to use to decorate and then dye your scarf or knitted length of fabric, known as a sock blank. Ria has lived and worked in Bristol for five years, particularly focusing on using low impact, sustainable materials, and will share her wide knowledge of natural dyeing with you throughout.
You’ll leave with a wool scarf or 100 grams of your own custom dyed yarn to unravel at home and use for knitting, crochet or weaving. With Ria’s help you’ll also have the skills to go on to create experimental bundle dyes at home.
Age restrictions: 16+
| Adult | £55 |
What people are saying
Jul 2023
Ria is warm and welcoming and inspirational . She has designed the workshop so it is easy to foll...
Jul 2023
Ria is a helpful host. She explained the plan for the morning then left us to be creative. I real...
Feb 2023
I'm a complete beginner in natural dyes and I had so much fun experimenting bundle dying on a woo...
Dec 2022
Really enjoyable session, made moreso by the inclusion of blank scarves to dye rather than sock b...
How to get there
Facilities
- Toilets
- Parking
On the day
It can get a little wet and messy during the morning, please wear sensible shoes and clothes or bring an apron. If you have sensitive skin you may want to bring rubber gloves.
Changes happen, don't worry
You'll be hosted by
Ria Burns Knitwear
For Ria, it all started with a love of yarn and an interest in sustainable fashion. They specialised in fashion knitwear for their BA in Fashion Design, but it was at Bath Spa where their eponymous brand of botanically dyed, British wool knitwear was researched and developed. Their knitwear is made with an exclusive lambswool yarn spun from fleece from Fernhill Farm, just 10 miles away from their house in North Somerset. They uses homegrown plant dyes to add pops of colour to their work and loves sharing textile dyeing methods with anyone wanting to learn more about natural dyes. All Ria’s knitwear is designed, dyed and made in Bristol, using hand powered knitting machines and utilising energy and water efficient dyeing methods.
In 2023 Ria's debut book 'Dyeing Yarn Naturally' was published by the Crowood Press.
Ria Burns
Your host will be Ria, textile designer and the founder of Ria Burns Knitwear. She’ll take you through her processes of creating uniquely different yarn and knitwear. Ria always aims to champion the natural hues and qualities of British wool. She creates one-off designs adding vibrant flashes of colour through natural hand dyeing, and is the perfect person to learn more about sustainable crafting from.
Any questions?
Ask your question directly to Ria Burns Knitwear.