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 Dyeing Discussion
 Natural Dyes
 Up to the Beets		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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ForestBird
Chatty Knitter

USA
265 Posts
Posted - 03/29/2006 :  11:50:35 AM  Show Profile Send ForestBird a Private Message
Has anyone had any experience using beets to dye yarn? Wool or cotton?
How much beets for how much yarn, do you boil with the yarn, or make a tea with the beets, then add yarn? How long for tea making, and how long to seep the yarn? Is the dye permanent? And what about a fixative (what I believe dyers call mordant?

I did do a search for this topic and found little info. Also I have little access to books as I live in a fairly isolated area (not many books in our library system) and limited funds.

Thanks to anyone for the info.

"Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern."
Alfred North Whitehead, Dialogues (1954)

MMario
Permanent Resident

2201 Posts
Posted - 03/29/2006 :  12:00:41 PM  Show Profile Send MMario a Private Message
The rumours of a red dye from beets are (as far as I know) rumours. I have heard people CLAIM they have managed a permanent red dye from beets - but never seen it happen. Usually you get a tannish brown.

MMario - I don't live in the 21st century - but I play a character who does.
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Boogie
Permanent Resident

USA
3073 Posts
Posted - 03/29/2006 :  2:18:05 PM  Show Profile  Visit Boogie's Homepage Send Boogie a Private Message
I've done it before and tan brown is too nice for the color that I got with wool.

amy
http://theboogerblog.blogspot.com
http://www.spunkyhats.com
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MMario
Permanent Resident

2201 Posts
Posted - 03/29/2006 :  2:27:40 PM  Show Profile Send MMario a Private Message
I thought "tannish brown" was much more diplomatic then "baby poop beige"

MMario - I don't live in the 21st century - but I play a character who does.
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ForestBird
Chatty Knitter

USA
265 Posts
Posted - 03/29/2006 :  4:45:50 PM  Show Profile Send ForestBird a Private Message
Boogie - perhaps you would be kind enough to share your beet experience with us? I searched your blog but found nothing about beets...

"Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern."
Alfred North Whitehead, Dialogues (1954)
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Boogie
Permanent Resident

USA
3073 Posts
Posted - 03/31/2006 :  11:16:45 AM  Show Profile  Visit Boogie's Homepage Send Boogie a Private Message
I did the beet thing in college when I didn't have to stink up my own kitchen.
I used an alum soak on one and one without alum.
I think another class mate did amonia but I know all the results were the same. I boiled up the pot and got this gorgeous color in the pot. We were so optimistic. It was so pretty my hopes were high.

All batches of wool were this nasty browny tan color.

I don't know of any natural item that gets a gorgeous beet color.

amy
http://theboogerblog.blogspot.com
http://www.spunkyhats.com
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