Marigold
When I pull this yarn out of the dye pot, it looks like pure gold. Marigold flowers have been used for fiber dyes and sacred ceremonies for thousands of years; and it’s no wonder, it does have magical properties! I can achieve a lovely range of yellows from ocher to bright yellow. I also use this as a base for my Lawn green.
Saxon Indigo Extract
Indigo vats like to be kept warm, which is difficult in my town that can experience up to 9 months a year of winter weather. I live in what is referred to as an “old Leadville house,” which means it can be difficult to keep warm! As a result, I have struggled to maintain an indigo vat. This breaks my heart because blue is my favorite color! However, I have found a liquid extract that creates beautiful shades of sky blue - while I can’t achieve the intense classic indigo blues, I still get some very pretty colors.
Madder Root
This wildly versatile dye stuff comes from the root of a shrub that is not nearly as impressive at the colors it produces! A wide range of deep reds, pinks, and corals can be achieved with this dye.
Cochineal
I have come to love working with this fascinating dye. It comes from a scale insect (Dactylopus coccus) that feeds on cactus in arid areas throughout the Americas. With this dye I can achieve ranges of pinks, purples and fuchsias.
Weld
This plant is considered a common weed in the US, but it's hard for me to see it that way! It gives a beautiful clear and bright yellow. When I overdye it with Saxon Indigo I get a very fun bright green; and a nice persimmon color when I mix with Madder.
Lac
Lac is a natural dye derived from a resin-producing insect native to South and Southeast Asia. Lac creates a rich range of shades from soft rose and raspberry to deep crimson and burgundy.
The resin produced by the lac insect has also been harvested for centuries to make lacquer and shellac for decorative and protective finishes.
Orange Osage
Osage orange is derived from the heartwood of the Osage orange tree, native to the central United States. Its wood is exceptionally rich in yellow pigments, producing warm shades from golden yellow and ochre to deeper amber tones.