One of the exiting things about natural dyeing for me, is to find out more about the 'Nordic Colour Spectrum'. Or what the colour wheel would look like, dyed only with plants (including moss, lichen and mushrooms) found right here. I think the nordic equivalent to cochineal must be slåenlav -
Evernia prunastri - or oak moss. I found some windfalls in february, which have been soaking on the windowsill in a jar (water/household ammonia solution) since. A couple of weeks ago I transfered some of the now ruby red water to a jar, along with some wool yarn). Local sheep, local spun yarn and local dyestuff - Nordic Pink! Isn't it funny, how differently the different kinds of yarn turned out. Another thing I love about wool; full of surprises!
Do you have a favourite local plant, producing pink (or something similar)?
Det ser veldig bra ut. Jeg hadde ikke tenkt at du kan farge med dette. Neste gang jeg gå på tur, skal jeg ser rundt for dette moss og prøve det selve. Takk for deling av denne informasjonen.
ReplyDeleteOooooh I dyed with evernia prunastri before but didn't soak it for weeks, and by no mean had the same results !!! Well done ! I'll be on the lookout next fall ! Beautiful, Mona ! ox
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sonia. I think you can find them all year round, but probably more of them fall to the ground in autumn. Good luck! :)
DeleteBeautiful! It would be something for you to make a fiber colour wheel from native Nordic plants. I would love to see that. My favorite native plant here in Missouri is still pokeweed (pokeberry). It will give everything from light pink to magenta to deep purple. All from a plant considered a weed by most. More for me, lol. :D
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I'm dreaming about that. It would certainly look different than an 'ordinary' fiber colour wheel! Pokeweed isn't native over here, but it's been grown as a garden plant for some time. Actually, years back, I had lots and lots of them in my summer cottage garden - NOT knowing I could dye with them. So I never tried it! I gathered some seeds last year, so this year I'll finally be able to try :)
DeleteHi Mona, I came across your post and had a quick question. I was hoping you could email me when you get the chance, thanks! - Emily : )
ReplyDeletebeautiful! it is always good to see what is local as a treasure!
ReplyDeleteso beautiful! lovelt color-I live in the woods with lots of oak trees and hickory-does oak moss have anything to do with the oak trees? thanks
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DeleteYes, it grows on oak too - it usually falls off in windy weather after rain, so it can be gathered from the ground.
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