Distractions this week:
Rhubarb leaf dye.
Rhubarb leaf dyed wool - the pullover it was prepared for will feature in a week or two
Yarn purchased from a charity shop. Probably enough for two adult pullovers. I stripped the purple and azure apart because the azure on its own was a double knit equivalent. The two strands of purple stripped out got doubled up and the result is below...temporarily modelled by Scully.
Joining up with
Yam's Saturday Stitches
The rhubarb leaf dye is a lovely, subtle colour. I like Scully's jumper - very smart!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful pullover! Hi Scully!
ReplyDeleteThat is an unexpected colour. Which mordant did you use? Very nice indeed..a warm colour for a warm jumper.
ReplyDeleteHi Scully..you make a good model..but was it difficult staying still long enough?!
Rhubarb leaf is used as a mordant (acid), but in this case I decided to use alum anyway (belt and braces). The roots apparently make a stronger colour but I'm not sacrificing any of those yet. Avocado shells next (pink dye).
Deletethat will be interesting..the shell round the pit? or the skin
DeleteI've tried the avocado skin. Apparently can be unmordanted but the result was wishy washy. What I have read said skins and pits (whole pits) well cleaned of any flesh as it makes oily spots that resist dye. I'mabout to give it another go with an alum mordant. As Im only dying wool (protein fibre, like silk and alpaca) I'llstick to a mordant recommended for protein. Apartently soymilk mordant works well for avocado dye on cotton/linen/hemp..
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, apart from Blogger being late with delivery, I am more than thrilled to have this post arrive in my reader box! I went all tingly. My mother was a dab hand at the natural dying caper, and rhubarb leaf was one of her favourites! I actually still have a ball of hers (just a tad lighter in shade to yours) that I have been saving... and waiting for something to match it with. One day. I am so excited to see what you do with yours - and the purple/azure split worked out fantastically! YAM xx
Try dying some with avocado pits and shells - dusty pinks.
Delete