Wool dyeing

As fall approaches crisp apples, piles of colorful leaves and dyed wool fill our thoughts here on the farm. Each year about this time a group of my friends lug dye pots, burners, pots, etc. over to the barn and we spend an entire day creating beautiful pieces of art.
We usually forage for our dye baths. Last year we gathered pokeweed, goldenrod, onion skins and sumac. The dyes created hues of soft yellows and pale pinks. Usually our 'weeds' are dried by the time we dye the fiber. This year Taima wanted to try goldenrod in full bloom. She gathered the blooms and covered them with water in a large pot. She simmered the dye bath for 60 minutes and then placed a roving of sheep's wool that had been mordant in alum. She let the wool simmer for another hour and then let it sit for about 1 1/2 hours. The result was a beautiful lemon yellow. Now she wants to learn to spin it!