Friday, July 27, 2012

st. joan's wort and hexipuffs



I made a little silk dye bundle this morning with the starry flowers of St. Joan's (John's) Wort, Hypericum perforatum. The silk is from a thrifted blouse and was mordanted in alum. This is my first attempt at dyeing with this plant -- usually these tiny precious blooms are used to make healing oil infusionI like to use the name, St. Joan's Wort, because it is a topical specific for burns and we all know Joan knows more about burns than John. 

I can finally knit hexipuffs without thinking. It took a while but it does become automatic after a while. Crocheting, for now, requires too much concentration so I'll still go to these when there's a little bit of time. This isn't all of them but I'm thinking about the colors now and if I even like them before I make too many more. I don't know. I was going for bee colors but am thinking it needs something else. Still deciding. Any color suggestions? 

These photos were taken on the pathway of the buddha garden -- it may appear that I'm a slacker but that weedy purslane groundcover is intentional! It keeps my and the dogs' feet from getting muddy plus it's nice and cushy to walk on. And I do try to keep it out of the actual growing beds.

Thanks for visiting and here's hoping you have some happy weekending ahead. xo


20 comments:

  1. i love the colors scheme you have going on- bees and sky, but if you want more you could add plant greens & wild flower colors. i think you're passing me by on the hexis, it's been months since i've made one.

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  2. i stopped making the hexies...i got involved in too many other things. i like your color scheme but a burnt orange might give it some pop.

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  3. I'm eager to see how your silk turns out.

    Happy Weekend Back At Ya!

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  4. Are you kidding??!!! I love these colors and thought "bee" right away :)
    For color suggestion, I'd consider a deepish dusty green...those bee flowers need something to hold them up!
    I just love these little hexis & bet they feel so good in the hand :)

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  5. Cindy, hey thanks -- you've been busy making sweaters and having birthday parties and such! Was thinking of rationalizing the use of color with all the flowers bees visit. ;)

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  6. Hi Deanna, oh I know how that goes. I think I might try a single orange, I have some orange yarn that would work I think -- plus some bees have an orangy pollen in their sacs. Thanks.

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  7. Judy -- we'll soon see -- don't think I can hold out as long as you can!

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  8. Nancy, you made me feel so good that you got it right off! Greens, yes. Thank you. Maybe if I stay with the bee color theme, there can be just a few greens, oranges, pinks, purples here and there. Hmmmm.....

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  9. How pretty those flowers are on the cloth in the shade...and I just love the comment about Joan knowing more of fire than John did!

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  10. Do you ever eat the purslane? Kat told me her mom in Scotland did.

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  11. Thanks, Michelle -- I heard that Joan reference during my herbal apprenticing years and it stuck.

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  12. Hi Jo, yes, it's also tasty and highly, and I mean HIGHLY, nutritious. Pretty sure I made a side dish with it in it that you've eaten, a yogurt salady thing? I hadn't thought about that recipe for a long time, may have to make it now. :)

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  13. The hexagons are looking wonderful and I love your colour selection so far....as for suggestions for additional colours: maybe colours from the area your bees live, the natural flora ?

    Look forward to seeing your latest dyeing experiment.

    Jacky xox

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  14. Hexies are cute. I love the color so far. As for my suggestion, just one red? Can't wait to see the result of your dye.

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  15. I'm hoping my St. John's wort (or Joan :) ) will be big enough next year that I'll be able to harvest more. Had about 5 flowers this year and I missed picking them in time... Your hexagons are so much fun, someday.... :)

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  16. Hi Jacky and thanks. That's a great thought, I need to think about the colors of their favorite plants, if that's possible for a human? ;-) -- but what comes to mind is the gray/green foliage of lavender and catmint and sage and all their bluish purple blossoms. Or maybe that's my next project! Good luck to your son!

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  17. Nat, thanks, that is a great idea. I'll have to sit and play it now! :)) The dye took well from the looks of the outside of the bundle. We'll see.

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  18. Deb, oh I bet you'll have lots next year. Once it gets going. And it spreads nicely, too!

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  19. I just could not work out how to knit these hexis so I adapted the pattern for my crochet hook...I lovet the colours too....

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  20. Greasyming, It took me quite a while to get the hang of knitting them -- but I cannot even fathom in my wildest imagination crocheting those hexis, that would be so hard!!! Someday I hope to be able to do such things. ;-)))

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