Sandlewood Scarf / Wrap

Content: Linen and Rayon

Measurements: approx 190cm x 51cm + 16cm fringe (74” x 20” + 6″ fringe)

I’ve woven this piece in a diamond twill pattern using a very fine 40/2 linen thread, spun in Bengal, India. The yarn is naturally dyed with Kasheem, Myrobalan, Cutch, Madder, and Lac (see below), giving it a soft, earthy palette. I’ve added stripes of hand-dyed rayon for a bit of contrast and a subtle glow.

It’s wide enough to wear as a wrap and soft enough to use as an oversized scarf—whatever suits the day. Linen just gets softer the more you wear it, and it’s a beautifully sustainable fibre that’s also biodegradable.

I’ve finished the ends with fine, twisty cords for a light, elegant touch.

To help protect the natural dyes, be sure to use a pH-neutral liquid detergent when washing.

Kasheem – is iron water using a traditional recipe of fermenting scrap iron, date palm sugar and chickpea flour. It reacts with tannins to create greys & blacks.

Myrobalan – This dyestuff consists of ground nuts of the Terminalia chebula tree. This tree grows in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Indochina and south China. It may be classed as both a mordant and a dye, giving a light buttery yellow when applied.

Cutch Extract– This powder is an extract prepared from steeping the wood of the Acacia catechu tree in hot water until a syrupy liquid emerges. This is dried and then ground into powder.

Madder – Madder is one of the oldest known dyestuffs and comes from the Rubia tinctorum (Dyer’s madder) or Rubia cordifolia (Indian madder).

Lac Extract  –  a red dye extract from the scale insect Laccifer lacca which is found throughout India, south east Asia, Nepal, Burma, Bhutan and south China. It is found both in the wild and cultivated.