dyeing yarn

[Angel of Mercy]

Does anyone know of period dyeing techniques? I was thinking of dyeing some yarn at Sept Storm. I have always wanted to try it. Any informaiton is welcome (equipment, types of yarn,directions, etc)!

[SouthernMag]

Re: dyeing yarn

You need Ms. Lawson aka "Spinster". I am sure she will be along directly to help you as she is a member of this forum. She is an expert spinner and dyer, I bought some of her yarn at Corinth and it was superb to work with on the needles.

Maggie Reese

[Angel of Mercy]

Re: dyeing yarn

Maggie,
If my try at dyeing isn't the best, I think I'll purchase some yarn from her. I've always wanted to see/have natural dyed yarn as opposed to manufacture dyed yarn.

[Jennifer T Wisener]

Re: dyeing yarn

I started experimenting last fall, I just started spinning last April. By September, the goldenrod might be bloomed, I got a nice gold dyeing wool with it. Two buckets of black walnuts are fermenting in the backyard waiting for a free weekend.

Vivki Betts website was newpaper accounts of period dyes, I tried the wool and pokeberries in a pumpkin. Plan to make some changes this fall.

Two books I use are; "Natural Dyes and Home Dyeing" by Rita J. Adeosko and
"The Art and Craft of Natural Dyeing" by J.N. Liles.

The only bad thing about natural dyes, is you look at weeds a different way :D , I know where some Queen Ann's Lace is :p

Reading postings by Mrs. Lawson is one of my reasons to start down this path.

[Poor Private]

Re: dyeing yarn

My wife says to look under natuaral dyeing on the net. There are plenty of variables, Such as the kind of yarn, cotton, wool, blends of wool/ cotton, silk and what mordants you may be using.

[Angel of Mercy]

Re: dyeing yarn

Thank you everyone! I dont' think I'll be able to do it in an open fire as I live in the city...any alternatives? cna I use an oven or stove?

[Jennifer T Wisener]

Re: dyeing yarn

With the natural dyes, I have used the kitchen stove. Just buy some cheap stainless steel or enameled pots, just for dyeing, not your cooking pots:p Iron dulls colors, so far, I haven't tried using iron pots.

But, so far my mordant has been Alum and Cream of Tartar on wool, and not a great hazard.

The fiber arts shop uses an electric hot plate outside, with long sleeves, gloves and dust mask for the acid dyes and metals. I think if you check www.earthguild.com has some guidelines on natural dyes and their mordants.

[yankeebelle]

Re: dyeing yarn

Ms. Lawson's mother has been in the hospital. ( Mother is doing well).She has not had access to the internet since last Monday night. She will be along soon to help you with your question. Should be here no later than next Thursday.

Beverly Simpson

[Angel of Mercy]

Re: dyeing yarn

oh my! I do hope that her mother has a speedy recovery!

[Mutt]

Re: dyeing yarn

Hey Krystin! Long time! Have you tried to get a hold of Heather Hanson, formally of the Fort? I know she did a wonderful job dyeing some red tape and several other items in the past.

[Spinster]

Re: dyeing yarn

All Righty!

Mama is back home, a full week after what was suppossed to be a maximum two day stay. I'm up here with 3 days worth of clothes, and a week's worth of migraine medicine. Dear Husband mailed me another week's worth, and as soon as I get some help arranged, I'll go home overnight for more clothes and enough hand work to hold me for a month. Thankfully, I have found a wireless connection in town, and can pop down here for a stiff chocolate coffee after both my folks are in bed. How fortunate I am to have them both of sound and determined mind, both past 80.

And now, to the dyepots.
First--Dr. Liles Art and Craft of Natural Dye , previously mentioned is your best source of period dye receipts. Dr. Liles was a Rev War period reenactor and did an extensive amount of primary source documentation research for both home and commercial dye house receipts in the 17th, 18th and early 19th century America. He then converted those receipts to modern chemical names and from mass vats to 1 pound dyelots.

Sister and I ran bunch of these back to their hard to find primary sources, realized how greatful we were that he had done this work, and ran with the information. :D

By private message, I'll send you a phone number where you can reach me, as there are great deal of fine points to discuss, including yarn preparation, scouring, pre mordant, rinse, dyestuff prep, pot management, post mordant, rinsing, skeining, and more.

BUT--HERE IS A MAJOR WARNING:
As inncouous as alum sounds as a mordant ( and it is the least toxic of those available, and the one I use in public demos)-----DO NOT USE IT INDOORS. Certain mordant chemicals can go airborne in steam---and you will be constantly lifting the lids and checking your yarn. Once these go airborne indoors, you will be likely to inhale them inside the house.

Anyone who has heard that delightfully nasty sound I make early in the morning will realize the danger of indoor dyepots. I sound like 30 years of a 3 pack a day habit. Trouble is I never have smoked more than an occassional cigar---and I gave them up 5 years ago.

Go find a friend with a gas grill, or go out to a park with some charcoal grills and fire one up. Outdoors, this will do just fine.

Also, once you commit a pot as a dyepot---it is a dyepot forever. There is too much room for error with many of the mordants, and the pot should never be used for cooking.

For years, I would not dye and cook on the same fire---now, Sister and I run a fire about 7 feet long during our fall dye run, and wayyy down at one end of that fire, dinner is cooking. :tounge_sm Carefully.

[Jennifer T Wisener]

Re: dyeing yarn

Mrs. Lawson,
Thanks so much for the warning, there is no excuse for safety, but:cry_smile at the time it was either be eaten by hordes of mosquitoes or do my first experiments inside.

We live near swampy creek bottoms, so I best before we get rain, do the spring experiments :p

Just got to wait for that nor-easter to quit blowing.

[Spinster]

Re: dyeing yarn

Jennifer,

Every dyer has that 'last minute must do on the stove' batch. For this purpose, I recommend a good sized stock pot of stainless steel with a tight fitting lid--and remember, this pricey pot will no longer be making soup.

Watch your 'alum' label carefully if you are purchasing off the shelf from the grocery store instead of from a dyer's supply ( another one of those last minute things). Potassium aluminum sulfate is the mordant for wool. Aluminum acetate is the mordant for cotton. If you buy it in the grocery store, either one could be in the little can labeled 'alum'.

I find aluminum acetate far more irritating to the nose and lungs. Its particles are smaller, and do go airborne in heavy steam. This is a cumulative problem, often exacerbated by the fact that you may also be working with raw wool and its heavy pollen load.

Mix your mordant in hot water to dissolve, and then place in the pot with sufficent water. Add fiber and cover tightly. Turn on the vent hood. When you need to turn the yarn, reduce heat and let the steam dissapate before getting your face near it. In a modern setting, I use a dyer's face mask.

In a period setting, I use several layers of damp cloth tied over my nose and mouth.

Do not attempt indoor mordanting with copper sulfate, stannous choloride, or really much of anything else. Make sure when you measure dry mordants that your mouth and nose are covered.

As with all chemicals, secure from children---and realize that in a public demo setting, that is often difficult, as most folks' 'little darlings' are very curious, and it all looks like sugar candy to them.

Yet another reason I use only alum in public demo settings---all that will do if little mouths encounter it is draw them into a most unbecoming pucker and teach a harmless lesson about getting into other people's things.

[Jennifer T Wisener]

Re: dyeing yarn

Thanks again Mrs. Lawson,
I have two Corriedale lamb fleeces, a Border Leiscaster fleece. Hopefully lot's of practice :p

[Spinster]

Re: dyeing yarn

I'm envious. Somehow, I think I'm gonna be real envious once that box of retted, ginned spanish moss gets up here from Florida and I start spinning on it. Probably yet another fiber I will not have the patience to spin in public.

If you get tired of that washing job, go here. http://www.zwool.com/
Nice Yankee ladies will wash it for you, and send it back all nice and clean and ready to card. Or ready to spin.