Cashmere Scarf Eco-print-'Deep Walnut'

Walnut is one of the trees that grows around where I live here on Lake Como . A tall straight tree with large leaves composed of 7 to 9 leaves . The nuts grow abundantly and I pick them when they are green . I put them in the freezer as theyare a very potent dye material , leaving a gorgeous rich dark brown .  

For this scarf I picked and then pressed the leaves , and peeled the soft green pulp off of the nuts  .  I wanted to create the overlaying pattern of the leaves you see when you look up into the tree . I used mirror image technique for the leaves , placing the nut slices randomly and folding to create six panels . At each end on the last panel I placed a leaf on the reverse side as well as the front to create the layering effect .

I knitted the scarf on my 8 gauge machine in a single jersey stitch using 1 end of pure cashmere yarn in a deep cognac brown colour , which gives a richer , warmer base for the olive and brown print colours  . I have decorated this scarf  with a couple of extra hand-wrapped cashmere tassels , a total of 6 . 

After I have knitted & finished the scarf , the process of the eco-print begins . Firstly with a preparatory bath with a mordant . The mordant , I use mostly vinegar , opens the pores of the yarn making the surface more receptive and the image more permanent . I heat to boiling point the mordant bath of water + vinegar  and keep it on the heat for nearly and hour , after which I leave it to cool . When its cold I wring it out and or hand it up to dry for later use or spread it out wet on the table ready for printing . I soaked the leaves in iron water for this piece , also because of the darker than usual background. Once folded I roll and wrap the entire scarf in kitchen foil and tie it up tightly with string . The 'bundle' then goes into a pot of water and is steam boiled for an hour . Left to cool in the water , usually overnight . The unwrapping is always an exciting moment and I hold my breath as I un-roll the scarf to reveal the result . It is not however definitive yet . I hang it up to drip dry and let it oxidise for a couple of days before washing it .

As you can see these scarves are truly special , fruit of a lengthy process and to buy one is to appreciate the astonishing & unique beauty of the patterns in nature and the natural technique used to print  and to know that no-one will ever have a scarf quite like yours !

• 100% Pure Cashmere
• Handloom knit , 8 gauge 1 ply , single jersey scarf
• 6 hand wrapped tassels in cashmere on each corner and placed at random along edge  
• Eco-printed by hand using real walnut leaves  
• This piece is unique and irrepetible .
• Size  - 154cm x 49cm
• Hand wash only 30°C - may shed a little colour at first wash . 
• All watermarks on folds and edges are intentional and part of the unique technique and cannot be considered as defects , please look carefully at the full spread photo .
• Ready for despatch