That the earth can produce such colours still amazes me after so many years. These colours have been produced by just a few plants.

• Weld for the basic yellows and the foundation of the greens and turquoises.

• Madder for the terracottas and browns.

• The insect cochineal for the pink that is the first layer of the purple.

• Finally indigo to transform the yellows and pink into turquoise, green and purple.

• A few grams of alum, cream of tartar and iron and you have a rainbow.

• Mineral, plant, animal and man or in my case woman.

• Earth, water, fire and air.

• and gratitude.

P.S These hanks are now on their way across the skies to a designer who will work them into an earth embracing shawl.