Thanks for putting so much time and effort into this video. Your instructions are so clear and straightforward. So very helpful. I'm excited to see how these needles come out. Question: Should the dye soak all the way through the needles?
Thank you for such a great informative video! You inspire me to try and dye my ponderosa pine needles now 😊. Ps… could you PLEASE link me up to where I can buy an apron like yours? I would love to have that one- for gardening and basket coiling/dyeing 🩷
I'm not sure, but here's a few thoughts. The dye colors must be very saturated - navy, wine, forest green... Another issue can be letting the water get too hot, basically cooking your needles. Other than those 2 tips I don't know what could cause dark needles - what species are you using?
Hi! Just learning about the craft. I saw on another video that I should put my needles in a freezer for an hour before using them to kill any bugs; what do you think about that? Will freezing affect the color or make them too brittle to work with? I want to try this craft but I don't want to bring critters into my house by accident lol
That is an interesting step! I've never had problems with insects in my pine needles. However, freezing them should not affect the color and if you allow them to thaw they should come back to their natural pliability. However, I've never tried this technique so I suggest you experiment with a handful of needles and see what happens. Let me know what you discover.
I have seen that some people suggest washing needles with soapy water before use. Not needed if you soak them in vinegar? Do you ever soak your needles in vegetable glycerine for greater flexibility and to retain the dye better?
Washing pine needles with soapy water before use is a common practice to remove dirt and sap. Soaking them in vinegar can also help clean the needles and prepare them for dyeing by shifting the pH to make the surface more receptive to pigments. However, vinegar might not remove all residues as effectively as soap, so using both methods could be beneficial depending on the cleanliness of the needles. As for glycerine, it's used in this type of crafting context, so I imagine it could improve the pliability and dye retention, but I haven't tried it. That would be an interesting experiment, thanks for the idea!
The green will eventually fade unless you keep the basket in the dark, which is probably not the point, right. The other option would be to over dye them with a Rit Dye or something similar.
Hello, Ifollowed your instructions using the same materials except i used pine needles from around here, not Ponderosa pines. I tried 3 different colours. All needles are now dark brown. What did i do wrong?
I am having the same problem. Not getting anything near the color of the dyes. Used all different colors of dry needles with pretty much same results. Dark dark dark.
Two issues come to mind. 1. You said you used the same materials, but to clarify the dyes have to be very saturated colors - navy, crimson, wine, forest green. 2. If the needles are over cooked - the water should be warm over a long period of time - they will over-cook. Basically, burn. I would love to know what species needle you used?
Two issues come to mind. 1. You said you used the same materials, but to clarify the dyes have to be very saturated colors - navy, crimson, wine, forest green. 2. If the needles are over cooked - the water should be warm over a long period of time - they will over-cook. Basically, burn. I would love to know what species needle you used?
Resources and all the videos in my pine needle basket series: www.textileindie.com/pine-needle-basketry/
So excited to find this!
Thank you, I'm glad it is helpful.
Just ran across your channel. Thanks for the info. Just started learning this interesting craft!
Welcome to the channel! Happy to hear you're finding the information helpful.
Great content! Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for putting so much time and effort into this video. Your instructions are so clear and straightforward. So very helpful. I'm excited to see how these needles come out.
Question: Should the dye soak all the way through the needles?
The dye probably won’t make it through the entire needle. It will be more of a surface application.
Cool beans. Just like dying shirts.
Pretty much!
Thank you for such a great informative video! You inspire me to try and dye my ponderosa pine needles now 😊.
Ps… could you PLEASE link me up to where I can buy an apron like yours? I would love to have that one- for gardening and basket coiling/dyeing 🩷
I'm not sure, but here's a few thoughts. The dye colors must be very saturated - navy, wine, forest green...
Another issue can be letting the water get too hot, basically cooking your needles.
Other than those 2 tips I don't know what could cause dark needles - what species are you using?
Hi! Just learning about the craft. I saw on another video that I should put my needles in a freezer for an hour before using them to kill any bugs; what do you think about that? Will freezing affect the color or make them too brittle to work with? I want to try this craft but I don't want to bring critters into my house by accident lol
That is an interesting step! I've never had problems with insects in my pine needles. However, freezing them should not affect the color and if you allow them to thaw they should come back to their natural pliability.
However, I've never tried this technique so I suggest you experiment with a handful of needles and see what happens. Let me know what you discover.
I like to use a glycerin soak/cook to my needles, so I have the flexibility to use them whenever. Do you suggest dying them before or after that step?
@@followingoursunsetI was wondering about that, too!
I have seen that some people suggest washing needles with soapy water before use. Not needed if you soak them in vinegar? Do you ever soak your needles in vegetable glycerine for greater flexibility and to retain the dye better?
Washing pine needles with soapy water before use is a common practice to remove dirt and sap. Soaking them in vinegar can also help clean the needles and prepare them for dyeing by shifting the pH to make the surface more receptive to pigments.
However, vinegar might not remove all residues as effectively as soap, so using both methods could be beneficial depending on the cleanliness of the needles.
As for glycerine, it's used in this type of crafting context, so I imagine it could improve the pliability and dye retention, but I haven't tried it. That would be an interesting experiment, thanks for the idea!
@@TextileIndie Thank you so much for your response. I love all of your videos that I have watched - and I look forward to watching all of them!
What if I want my basket to have that green that they have when they are not dead? Is there a way to preserve the green??
The green will eventually fade unless you keep the basket in the dark, which is probably not the point, right. The other option would be to over dye them with a Rit Dye or something similar.
Have you ever thought to try bleaching pine needles? Short cook in a "bleaching" solution, let them dry, dye treatment...
I have not considered that. It would be a cool experiment. If you try it let me know how it goes.
Hello, Ifollowed your instructions using the same materials except i used pine needles from around here, not Ponderosa pines. I tried 3 different colours. All needles are now dark brown. What did i do wrong?
I am having the same problem. Not getting anything near the color of the dyes. Used all different colors of dry needles with pretty much same results. Dark dark dark.
Two issues come to mind.
1. You said you used the same materials, but to clarify the dyes have to be very saturated colors - navy, crimson, wine, forest green.
2. If the needles are over cooked - the water should be warm over a long period of time - they will over-cook. Basically, burn.
I would love to know what species needle you used?
Two issues come to mind.
1. You said you used the same materials, but to clarify the dyes have to be very saturated colors - navy, crimson, wine, forest green.
2. If the needles are over cooked - the water should be warm over a long period of time - they will over-cook. Basically, burn.
I would love to know what species needle you used?
Do you sell pine needles you have harvest?
Currently I do not. But we will be creating short-run pine needle basketry kits in the spring. So they are coming!
Have you ever dyed pine needles with coffee?
No I haven't. I don't think it will change the color, the dye is not saturated enough. But if you try it, let me know!
Cut the first 7 minutes
Thanks for the tip!