Why the indigo takes a week

Indigo does not dye: it oxidises. The wool goes into the vat yellow-green and turns blue in the air, and each dip adds one layer of colour. A pale sky is two dips; the deep border blue on our shawls is six, with a day between each for the wool to dry and the colour to set. Rush it and the blue rubs off on your shirt. We do not rush it.

Written from the verandah, with a cup of chai going cold.