There’s a quiet kind of magic in letting the sun do the work.
At Sweet Meadow Knits, we believe that slow, intentional processes lead to the most meaningful materials. That’s why our Targhee & Rambouillet wool rovings are solar-dyed—a gentle method using sunlight, professional acid dyes, and time to coax out soft, layered color.
The result? One-of-a-kind fibers that carry the story of land, light, and careful craft.
Let’s take you behind the scenes of our dye process—from fiber selection to finished braid.
🐑 The Wool: Targhee & Rambouillet
We begin with a blend of Targhee and Rambouillet wool, sourced from small American ranches. These heritage breeds are ideal for spinning, offering:
- Lofty softness when spun woolen-style using long draw
- Fine crimp for spinning smooth, even yarns
- Next-to-skin comfort, thanks to low micron counts—perfect for accessories, garments, and heirloom knits
🌿 The Ingredients: Sunlight, Wool & Professional Dyes
Solar dyeing combines nature and science in the most satisfying way. We use professional acid dyes, which are designed to bond safely and effectively with protein fibers like wool. While some companies offer pre-mixed colors, we prefer using primary dye powders so we can create our own custom blends.
✨ Our go-to dye sources:
- Dharma Trading - https://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/dharma-acid-dyes.html
- Pro Chemical - https://prochemicalanddye.com
These dyes become colorfast when heat (from the sun) and acid (typically vinegar or citric acid) are added. If you're just starting out, begin with analogous colorways—those close together on the color wheel—to avoid muddy blending. As you become more comfortable, you'll learn how colors behave and blend during the solar process.
🔧 What You’ll Need to Get Started
- Acid dyes
- A black plastic concrete mixing pan (absorbs heat well)
- 1 soup pot
- White vinegar or citric acid
- Pint-size mason jars (one per color)
- A wooden spoon (for dye use only)
- Protective mask (for mixing dye powder)
🌞 The Process: Slow Color by Nature
Solar dyeing works best on a hot, sunny day—above 90°F (32°C) is ideal.
Here’s a basic method for dyeing one pound of wool roving:
- Mix your dyes. In separate mason jars, combine ~1 tsp powdered dye with 2 cups water. Stir slowly to reduce airborne powder (wear a mask).
- Boil water. Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil on the stove.
- Prep the pan. Place your black dye pan in the sun. Add 1 gallon hot tap water + ¼ cup vinegar (or 1 Tbsp citric acid crystals).
- Add wool. Gently lay wool into the pan—avoid compacting or stirring it too much.
- Pour boiling water carefully around (not directly on) the wool. Swirl the bath gently to even out temperature.
- Apply dye. Pour dye over the wool in sections. To add speckles, sprinkle dry dye or apply with an eyedropper.
- Do not stir! Gently poke only if needed to help dye penetrate.
- Let the sun work. Leave the pan in full sun for at least 5 hours.
- Rinse and dry. Rinse rovings gently, then hang or lay flat to dry completely.
🛍 Prefer to Skip the Dye Pot?
You’re in luck—our solar-dyed rovings are available in small, exclusive batches. And because no two days of dyeing are the same, each colorway is truly one-of-a-kind.
👉 Explore Solar-Dyed Rovings ->
💌 A Final Word from the Studio
We’re honored to share this process with you—not just the finished product, but the rhythm, the patience, and the deep connection to something elemental. Whether you’re spinning for meditative joy or creating something to last for generations, we hope these rovings bring warmth, texture, and a little sunlight to your craft.
Happy Spinning!
