Natural Yarn Dyeing and Urban Foraging
Facebook
Twitter
Whatsapp
EmailJoin natural dyer and knitwear designers Ria Burns for a day of natural yarn dyeing and urban foraging in Bristol this Spring!
First, meet at Bristol Textile Quarter, then, after an introductory talk, you'll walk to a nearby urban green space and forage for dye plants to use later in the day. Ria will also help identify other plants that can be used for dye at different times of the year.
At the venue, you'll use these plants plus other natural dyes to create colour on a range of British wool yarns. Using a variety of yarns and breeds, ranging from super chunky to Ria’s bespoke 4ply weight yarn spun from local sheep, you will look at the different ways natural dyes can be applied to yarn to create striking effects.
You will leave with a variety of mini skeins of naturally dyed yarn in a range of hues, suitable for knitting, crochet, or any other fibre craft.
Age restrictions: 16+
| Adult | £95 |
How to get there
Facilities
- Refreshments available
- Toilets
On the day
Yarn, materials and handouts are provided but you may want to bring a notebook and pen. Please bring an apron or clothes you do not mind potentially getting dye liquids. Rubber gloves are advised if you have sensitive skin.
As there is an outdoor walking element to the workshop, please dress appropriately for the weather and for walking on footpaths and grass.
The venue is situated close to Bristol Temple Meads station and major bus routes. There is plenty of parking nearby too!
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.