The results
The process is pretty simple-
I started with a 5 gallon pail of walnuts some with hulls and some without.
(mine sat for a month at least)
Took off lid-it was kind of gross!
I did the heating in the mill-
Yucky walnut mixture heating in the dye pot (60 minutes after it comes to boil)
Yep, I stuck my yarn in there after I strained the walnut mixture. After 90 minutes with heat, I turned it off and let it sit overnight.
Lucky me, you get to use it, more than once.
Turned out really nice, and no chemicals necessary :) will it fade with washings?
ReplyDeleteIt is suppose to be colorfast, but I am new to this dyeing thing, so we shall see!
DeleteI've used black walnuts but simply soaked them in water for a long time, to get a lighter brown color. I love the deep color you got.
ReplyDeleteThat is an elegant color...what about combining it with highlights of the pokeberry in some sort of knit wear:?
ReplyDeleteThat would be pretty :) But this has been earmarked for a hat for my husband.
DeleteThat is such a lovely color of brown - so rich looking! Your yarn is encouraging me to learn how to knit and/or crochet! Have you ever dyed wool with beets or blueberries? I know these stain my hands, do they work on wool?
ReplyDeleteI have read about using beets, but I can't remember what color you end up with. I have not found anything about using blueberries. A lot of colors don't take and if they do, it is a different color than what you expect.
DeleteI have heard the only way to get blues is through using Indigo (plant)
Turned out really nice! I would have had a hard time putting that wool into the pot of muck. You were brave and it paid off!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteLearning to dye with plants, has been interesting. All of them have been smelly, the reason it is set up in the mill outside and not in the kitchen :)
I love this idea! We are buried under mountains of black walnuts and no one in my family likes them. It seems such a shame to let them go to waste, though. I'll definitely pin this so I don't forget about it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you stopped by!
DeleteNice to have such a great resource in your own backyard :)
That color turned out beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Heidi
DeleteWhat a neat idea to dye naturally (and we also have black walnuts on our property!)... Thanks for sharing! We have added 25 merino sheep to our fold so this will come in handy soon!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us on the Art of Home-Making Mondays this week! It was nice to see you there :) Hope to see you next Monday!
Merinos sound lovely!!
DeleteHave fun with your new sheep :)
I am learning so much about dyeing from you! Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracy! I am a beginner, but it really isn't as bad/hard as it seems. I am glad that I have tried it. I am hooked :)
DeleteThis is such an interesting process to read about! I love how the walnut color came out even if it was a messy process for you. It sounds so time consuming, but worth it!
ReplyDeleteCaitlin, thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt really isn't too bad, most of the time is waiting and watching.
Love the color, I've also heard of using black walnut to stain basket reed!
ReplyDeleteI have thought of trying some fabric as well as the wool.
DeleteI think black walnut would be a great dye for a basket!!