Our Secret Process

EARTH PALETTE has developed a COLD dye system on which the necessary dyes and auxiliaries are incorporated into one mixture ready to be stirred into a measured volume of hot water.

The cold dyeing of wool or silk, more correctly known as the Cold Pad Batch method, can be one of the most useful and versatile dyeing techniques available to the serious craftsperson.

The EARTH PALETTE system uses reactive dyestuffs which actually react with the fibre forming extremely fast co-valent bonds, giving a dyeing which is fast to light, washing, perspiration, rubbing etc.

One of the most exciting discoveries made during initial work was the ability to successfully dye greasy fleece wool and un-scoured hand spun yarn by the addition of Fixing Agent A. Without Fixing Agent A, the system dyes well on commercially prepared wool. This is due to the very little amount of damage done to the surface of the wool fibres by hand scouring as compared to the commercially prepared wool. The use of Fixing Agent A is therefore a breakthrough for hand spinners who wish to use the Cold Pad Batch method of dyeing.

The standard dye solution can be mixed to obtain a wide range of shades. Dye solutions are measured out by volume, and are mixed in plastic containers. It is therefore; easy to keep records of dye recipes. E.g. 50mls red – 50mls blue.

When using the cold dye system, it is also possible to dye many shades very quickly. This is of particular advantage to hand spinners who want to card and blend many shades into rainbow or heather mixtures; or for tapestry weavers to combine multiple shades of yarn on their bobbins.