Let's try to dye some yarn with Rhubarb leaves! I have read that these can be a mordant, and while I was trying to extract the tannins from the rhubarb leaves I decided to see if it would add color to wool, cotton, acrylic, and polyester yarns.
This dyeing project took place outside in a well ventilated area away from children and pets. I used a dedicated dye pot and utensils for this project. Please remember that rhubarb leaves are poisonous! To heat the pot I used an electric hot plate https://amzn.to/2LaGeS6 (Amazon Affiliate Link).
VIDEO CONTENTS:
[0:00] Introduction
[1:02] Preping the leaves for the extraction - 17 leaves and fill the pot with water from the hoze until the leaves are covered.
[2:47] 30 min in (just started to boil)
[3:57] Taking the lid off of the pot (maybe after 30 min of cooking? I'm aiming for 60 min of bubbling hot)
[4:32] Cooking for a total of 50 min (20 min with the lid off) there is a lot of color in the pot. Turn off the heat and UNPLUG the hot plate (I always unplug it when it is not in use.)
[5:48] removing the leaves and pouring off most of the liquid to save.
Presoaking some miniskeins to see if the rhubarb leaves will add some color
I saved 10 cups of rhubarb extract
[7:25] Dyeing yarn with rhubarb leaves! 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 100% Superwash merino, 75% Superwash merino/ 25% Nylon, 100% cotton, 100% polyester, 100% acrylic.
[10:27] The pot is almost to temp and the wools already look a bit darker! Keep it on the heat for 40 more min.)
[11:21] After 40 min of cooking
[13:00] removing the yarn from the pot the next morning
[14:43] Washing the yarn
[19:57] The 10 cup container of rhubarb extract 2 weeks later
[21:06] The finished dry yarns and conclusions.
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