The Last Few Dyes

The last few dyes that haven’t been put up yet are Bracken Ferns, Cutch Extract, Logwood Extract, and the Safflower part#2 (pinks!).

BRACKEN FERNS
1:1 ratio dyestuffs to fiber. Use gloves and scissors to harvest. Cut up to manageable pieces. Pour hot water over leaves to soak 24-48 hours. Cook 30-45min, strain, cook 45min – 1hr.


Safflower pink on Cotton:


Extracts are very strong, they’re basically pure pigment. Add less than you think you need to.

Cutch Extract

With this one I tried mordanting while I was dyeing. Extracts are strong enough for this not to effect them.

Ratio 1:3. Add extract, a little salt, and enough alum for your weight of goods (WoG) to the pot of water. Stir to dissolve. Add wetted fibers, raise water to a simmer and stir. Let it simmer 30min. Remove the fibers and set them aside to cool. If there's still strength to the bath, add another skein or two of yarn and do an exhaust bath, simmering 30min. Let the exhaust bath cool completely before rinsing out.


Logwood Extract

1:4 Ratio dyestuffs to fiber. Add the powdered extract to a pot and add cold water. Mix with a spoon until all the extract is dissolved. Add pre-mordanted wetted yarn to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cook until it looks dark enough (up to a half hour). Remove yarn and set aside to cool. If there is still a strong color in the water, do a second batch for a lighter color.

A note about logwood. It only gives true purples on alum mordanted fibers. On Iron mordanted fibers it gives burgundy reds, and on oxalic acid mordanted fibers it gives browns.