I picked a large canning or dyeing pot full of fennel early this morning and snipped it in small bits and pieces recued any cattepillar, or other little critters, filled my pot with plenty of water and brought it to a boil. Turned the fire to low and simmered it for 60 minutes. ( no, I cannot tell you the weight of the fennel) Now I will make three little skeins, one of wool, one of silk and one of rayon. These are just going to be sample skeins no more than about 100 gram or so. I will add enough allum (this will indeed be done % wise to the weight of the dry fibers.) I will will disolve the allum in a bit of hot water and add it to the strained (take out all the plant materials) dyebath, and add my scoured and wetted skeins. Again I will bring the dye pot to a boil, and on a low fire simmer the pot for an hour. Lets hope we get some colour. The house has this lovely fennel smell. At least I love it.
Els
Els