Take Two

Next batch of rainbow dyeing with natural extracts took place today, with great success, alas the camera didn't really agree, but in real wool life, they turned out great...I did several batches of silk/merino alum and COT, and mixed up some fustic with a drop of logwood and got the greatest greens, that was in Earthues by Michelle Whipplinger, and she mentioned under Fustic that you could get green but adding a bit of logwood....she of course, is more exact, but I am apparently allergic to exactness...from birth, could be genetic, but I don;t really intend to repeat exactly, anything I do, so it does take thepressure off me to be exact, but I do keep the odd note about it so I can remember what I have done, just not the measurements exactly....
I mixed up the fustic, logwood, madder/lac, cochineal, all in extracts, and then had fun mixing and playing...this time I used a large sponge applicator, it took longer but was less messy, and less liquid to mix although you have to be very careful to get all sides if you want solid bands of color....I did this early in the morning so by an hour ago, they had cooled and could be rinsed, without much loss of color, which is great...I microwaved them for 7 minutes, resting every couple of minutes for it to cool slightly, then left them bundles in there saran wrap, and plastic baggie until cool....so cool I do really appreciate being able to do this technique with natural dyes....I also cooked up the flower tops of the goldenrod I gathered last week off the highway...
and it initially came out a clear yellow, but I did cook it a little hard, and then the color browned slightly, I later, right that was too late, read that keeping it at simmer was best to keep color clear...I have read this before on yellows so perhaps I should try and remember this...
although the color it came out was great. I also have some giant knotweed that I gathered which I cooked up into a deep deadly caramel, so I will dye with that tomorrow. for now I will see which now batch I will keep for myself, as I definitely feel possessive about some yarns, not being able to repeat et al ...lol next I will be gathering the weld and hanging to dry as I have quite a few plants...and I love that clear yellow it gives.