More Dyeing

I have dyed some spun silk yarn with Elderberries, Goldenrod, White Birch leaves,White Birch bark and Staghorn Sumac.

Elderberries

Elderberry Dye

Elderberry dyed yarn and cloth

Goldenrod

Goldenrod Dye

Goldenrod dyed yarn and cloth

White Birch Trees with white bark

White Birch Bark Dye

Yarn and cloth dyed with White Birch bark

White Birch Tree Leaves

White Birch Leaves Dye

Cloth dyed with White Birch Leaves

Cloth dyed with White Birch Leaves (dull yellow) along side cloth dyed with Goldenrod (brighter yellow colour). Yarn dyed with White Birch Leaves did not dye very yellow, but a sort of stone colour.

Yarn dyed with White birch Tree leaves, over-dyed with Goldenrod

I was hoping to use this yarn, dyed in different woodland colours, in a future project. I wanted a result of green from the birch leaves, but unfortunately the result was a stone colour. One possible reason could be that the leaves were picked in late autumn, and were starting to turn yellow. I over-dyed the yarn with Goldenrod, but this didn't work either - it is very late in the season to use these plants.

However, when I return to Australia I will try dyeing with the herb White Yarrow, which grows prolifically and naturally here in Canada. I have read that it can dye a green.

Staghorn Sumac leaves

Staghorn Sumac leaves turning vivid red in autumn and Staghorn Sumac Dark Red Flowers which are used for dye

Staghorn Sumac leaves and Dark Red Flowers used for dye

Yarn dyed with Staghorn Sumac. Cloth dyed to two different shades of reddish brown from the same dye pot and dyed for the same amount of time. The Yarn consistently dyed to a lighter shade with each different plant.