More Natural Dye Experiments

I'm continuing to experiment with natural dye extracts and dyestuffs. All of these skeins are 2 ply 100% mohair from my animals. It is a yarn made from adult mohair, so it is appropriate for tapestry or rug weaving. It was made at Zeilinger Woolen Mill as a single, then I ply it. Some of this was plied by Jamie our intern.

 This first skein was dyed with cutch ( I think...the label fell off but the color was correct).  I over-dyed it with Quebacho Red and it is a lovely salmony orange color.

 This second skein was dyed with really old osage orange. I bought this extract in 1994. The extract is a liquid, but after all these years it became sludgy. I then over-dyed it with the Quebacho Red. This skein kept it's carmel character with a light orange cast.

These last 2 skeins were dyed with 5%WOF alkanet soaked in water. The result was a grey lilac color which I really didn't like. So I added more alkanet and simmered the wood pieces for an hour. I then let the extract and wood pulp sit for 24 hours. I strained off the wood bits and dyed these skeins. The result is a really pretty olive color.  But why green? In Jenny Dean's book, she says that alkanet can go green depending on the water pH. Our water is 6.8 so nearly neutral but on the acidic side.  I'll try again and add some alkaline to make it on the base side and see what happens. Alkanet smells really foul! So to re-do samples will have to be a labor of love.