Iridescence - Kent Romney Wool Combed Top

I was browsing through my inspiration photographs, and this one stood out. Iridescence is the result, and I attempted to capture the effect by dyeing the two sides of the fiber, one side in the purple gradient, the other in the blue.  I tried to edit the picture to show off the interplay of the colors....but the camera just doesn't quite capture the blues with the under and overtones of purple.

Kent Romney is the fiber, I’ve had New Zealand Romney many times and I love how it will take color strongly. I dyed this in a back and forth mini-gradient, each layer has the blues on one side and the purples on the other. It was a bit of a juggling act to push the color through enough but not too much that it takes over the other side, so you’ll also have some lighter colors throughout. This is a great fiber to learn to spin, or to learn a new spinning technique (like long draw, perhaps), and is a nice medium sturdy fiber. If you spin it truly worsted and smooth in those ends you could maybe get away with it against the skin, but I’d suggest going for an outerwear project for this….lined mittens or hat or cowl, or something like boot toppers or a scarf/shawl to be worn over a top. And of course you can combine it with other things for a larger project. Here’s a great history about the Romney breed of sheep.

100% Kent Romney Wool Combed Top
Hand Dyed with Lanaset Professional Dyes
Hand wash cool with pH neutral/wool safe detergent, splash of vinegar on the rinse, and dry flat.

Each braid is ~ 4oz.