Colours Unearthed – Wool Dyeing Workshop
A hands-on workshop to discover the process and vibrant colours of natural dyeing. At heritage listed wool-growing property Tarndwarncoort Homestead tutored by 6th generation custodian.
Participants will dye with eucalytpus cinerea, native cherry and indigo to knit a beanie in Polwarth wool. These plants provide yellows, deep orange and blue which then allows for secodary colours too.
What makes this so special is the yarn that will be used to dye. It is from the flock of sheep grown at Tarndwarncoort where the Polwarth breed originated in the 1880s by crossing Sxon Merinos with Lincoln Longwools in order to grow wool in wetter areas. It was the first time sheep were adapted to Australia’s environment. The wool type, blended with the plant dyes, makes for a project that oozes earthy character of this heritage place.
The one day workshop will take place in the working areas of the homestead first built in the 1840s by the same family running it today.