Wool mordanted with alum & dyed with onion skins
I decided to try dyeing with onion skins today. I weighed out the skins and followed the recipe, but I have to admit that I do cheat a bit. Instead of letting my dyebath cool down and then putting in my wool, I just bring my wool up to temperature in a second pot in plain water. Then as soon as I have strained out the bits, I put my wool into the hot dyebath.
I admit I was quite shocked at how vibrant my wool turned almost instantly. All the pictures of onion skin dyed wool I had seen were muted shades of gold or tan.
Note to self: Mordanting with alum makes a brilliant mustardy orange.
Anyway, I cooked it for only 5 minutes and then popped in another couple of skeins - this time I didn't mordant them and they did not turn out as bright.
I admit I was quite shocked at how vibrant my wool turned almost instantly. All the pictures of onion skin dyed wool I had seen were muted shades of gold or tan.
Note to self: Mordanting with alum makes a brilliant mustardy orange.
Anyway, I cooked it for only 5 minutes and then popped in another couple of skeins - this time I didn't mordant them and they did not turn out as bright.