In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the
simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don’t try to
control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely
present.
When you are content to be simply yourself
and don’t compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.
Tao Te Ching, translated by Stephen Mitchell
A Conundrum
(A question, a riddle, a mystery, an enigma….)
Now that I have been processing a good amount of my own wool, I have been trying different things. In the latest batch that I have dyed, I am looking to you all to give me some guidance as to which roving you find
more appealing. The picture above has been layered in strips, with definite color beginnings and endings. The roving to the right has the 3 colors all blended and a lot more subtle.
Sometimes I just get dizzy from looking at the colors…….and it is nice to get a different perspective. I look forward to hearing some feedback.
Marigolds
Now, I know that there are a few out there that balk at orange….and I can’t for the life of me understand why.
Orange is such a happy color…..so rich and sometimes complicated.
As I end this post today, I will leave you with some pictures of my all~time favorite flower in the garden. As fall approaches, these babies just get better and better.
Some interesting Marigold tidbits of olde,
—Medicinal Action and Uses—Marigold is chiefly
used as a local remedy. Its action is stimulant and diaphoretic. Given
internally, it assists local action and prevents suppuration. The infusion of 1
ounce to a pint of boiling water is given internally, in doses of a
tablespoonful, and externally as a local application. It is useful in chronic
ulcer, varicose veins, etc. Was considered formerly to have much value as an
aperient and detergent in visceral obstructions and jaundice.
It has been asserted that a Marigold flower, rubbed on the affected part, is
an admirable remedy for the pain and swelling caused by the sting of a wasp or
bee. A lotion made from the flowers is most useful for sprains and wounds, and a
water distilled from them is good for inflamed and sore eyes.
An infusion of the freshly-gathered flowers is employed in fevers, as it
gently promotes perspiration and throws out any eruption – a decoction of the
flowers is much in use in country districts to bring out smallpox and measles,
in the same manner as Saffron. Marigold flowers are in demand for children’s
ailments.
The leaves when chewed at first communicate a viscid sweetness, followed by a
strong penetrating taste, of a saline nature. The expressed juice, which
contains the greater part of this pungent matter, has been given in cases of
costiveness and proved very efficacious. Snuffed up the nose it excites sneezing
and a discharge of mucous from the head.
The leaves, eaten as a salad, have been considered useful in the scrofula of
children, and the acrid qualities of the plant have caused it to be recommended
as an extirpator of warts.
A yellow dye has also been extracted from the flower, by boiling.
—Preparations and Dosage—
Fluid extract, 1/4 to 1
drachm.
From Eleanour Sinclair Rohde’s Old English Herbals:
undefined marygold we learn that Summe use to make theyr here yelow with the
floure of this herbe, not beyng contet with the naturall colour which God hath
geven the.‘
Dodoens-Lyte (A Niewe Herball, 1578) says:
- undefined hath pleasant, bright and shining yellow flowers, the which do close at
the setting downe of the sunne, and do spread and open againe at the sunne
rising.’
All quotes are from: http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/marigo16.html
Cate…………watch for my next post……..<eviLgrin>
The Woolen Rabbit 
I like the separate colors better. There is something about the blue and yellow flowing into each other instead of just blending together. Eye catching. As for the color orange… I’m way too white to wear it (makes me look like a pumpkin), but I LOVE it. You aren’t the only one. :o)
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I second Angela. Beautiful, something about that soft yellow blending in…
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I like the separated colors too. Thanks for asking. And I love those orange flowers. I did have a vile orange shag rug in my bedroom as a child and as a result loathed the color orange for many years, but I have since recovered.
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My taste goes to No. 2….the subtle blend. And oh, I love the marigolds. Yes, what is wrong with those orange-haters? 😉 To me, it’s such a happy color that speaks “juicy” and “brain-stimulating.”
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Lurker here via Claudia @ Countrywool. I vote for the subtle blend-reminds me of your other gorgeous blends. I like orange also-just bought some beautiful Bali orange-yellow batik to line a blue-violet bog coat. (of course I also like yellow, green and brown-child of the 60s/70s-Corelle Indian Summer is my ‘china’).
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I like the subtle blend. Beautiful.
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I’m betting you get a fairly even split on your colorway question…. but as for me, I really like the blended version. 🙂
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Both are lovely but I must prefer the separate colors.
Marigolds are a favorite here too.
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I admit I am experimenting with the same ideas right now Kim. What I have done is spin a small amount of each type, the unblended dyed rovings and the blended dyed rovings to see which I have liked better, and to be honest, I’ve been surprised so far at my results. In some cases the blended color roving ends up more vibrant and striking than the unblended. Sometimes it’s the opposite. So, would you be willing to spin some of each to show us? I like both a lot but am drawn to the separated color due to my love of yellow. Yellow is my happy color, along with red and orange. 🙂 Your flowers are stunning. The first one in the post took my breath away.
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Great quote, Kim. I think that may be one of my favorites. 🙂
I tend to like rovings that have definite color changes, which seem to make the yarn more interesting when plied. While the blended one is very pretty, I think as a yarn it would seem more grey, maybe muddy?
Great marigold pictures. Have you ever grown the Tangerine or Lemon Gems? They’re so tiny and beautiful in a salad. I’ve always loved orange, and am looking forward to the cooler weather so I can start an orange cardigan.
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I love that particular Tao Te Ching translation. Thanks for reminding me about it!
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Those flowers are simply gorgeous! Breathtaking!
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I definitely prefer the blend on the right – but then that’s just me – I usually prefer more subtle color blends. Both are lovely though. Looks like fun.
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I like both, but the one with distinct color changes appeals to me a bit more. It’s more vibrant and would spin up into a brighter yarn (I think!). Would the blended fiber produce a muddier color?
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What a perfect post. I’ll take a skein in every flower color, please!
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