natural dyeing notes

Off to pick a HUGE bouquet of Queen Ann's Lace tonight
on Hickory and also on Main street Mishawaka.
If you see me over there and honk,
I will wave...maybe.
I'm not sure how legal it is to pick wild flowers in an empty lot.
What's the worst they could do to me, honestly.
Ask me to leave?
If there is worse to be had,
I'm sure I will blog about it when I am released!

This post probably will not mean anything to any of you,
but with the power out today,
for unknown, non storm related reasons,
I spent the day at Barnes and Nobles in the coolness
and copied dye recipes.

I have some lovely icelandic fleeces
and other yummy rovings
that I have been itching to dye.
I made an extract of lily of the valley last week.
The following are other natural dyes I want to try
and their measurements, fyi.

One interesting fact:
Cochineal is little tiny bugs that I have to crush up.
Wish me luck.
At least they don't look like bugs!

Have an iced tea and a great day!

golden rod
bright yellow: 100% weight of yarn
alum mordant 8%
tin mordant 3%

General method...dissolve alum in warm water,
add cold water to cover fiber, add fiber.
slowly bring to boil at least one hour.
Simmer 30-40 min.
remove yarn.
Mix tin with warm water and add to dye bathe
replace yarn and simmer for a further 30 min.
when cool enough to handle, wash in mild soapy water
rinse until runs clear.

rich olive green
copper mordant 2%
wet yarn to be mordanted, slowly bring to simmer over 30 min.
simmer 30 min.
let dyepot cool, squeeze out and use immediately

dark olive green
alum mordant 8%
iron mordant 5%
simmer 30 min. remove yarn
mix iron with warm water and add to dyebath.
replace yarn and simmer 30 min more.

lemon yellow
alum 8%

MADDER
Roots: chopped in cold water overnight
powder: make a paste with warm water and leave overnight.
Add more water. Add yarn and very slowly bring to slow simmer 140 degrees
Simmer 1-2 hours.
Leave overnight
wash in soap water and rinse until runs clear.

brick red
100% yarn weight.
8% alum

dark khaki
alum 8%
iron mordant 5%
simmer 45 min. remove yarn
mix iron with hot watter and add to dyebath
replace yarn and simmer 60 min
remove when cool. do not leave over night
wash and rinse

orange red
alum 8%
tin mordant 3%
same as foe dark khaki

rich sand
copper mordant 2%

COCHINEAL
grind dried bodies into powder............ewwww
add to warm water and mix into mush, no lumps.
Add to dyepot.
yarn in dyebath, add water to cover yarn
heat gently to simmer over 30 min
simmer 60 min
leave overnight
rinse thoroughly


blue red
30% of yarn weight cochineal
8% alum

rich red
30% cochineal
8% alum
3%tin
simmer 3o min remove yarn, add tin, summer with yarn 30 min

maroon red
30% cochineal
2%copper

purple red
30% cochineal
8%alum 5% iron
same as for tin

ONION SKINS
100-200% to dry weight of fabric
alum mordant 8%
cook skins covered in hot water for 45-60 min

MEASUREMENT CONVERSIONS
200 g or 9oz yarn
8% 20 g or 3/4 oz
5% 13 g or 1/2 oz
3% 7g or 1/4 oz

1 lb yarn
8% 40 g 1 1/2 oz,
5% 25g or 1oz,
3% 15g or 1/2 oz