Here's the madder in the pot on the wood stove. I heat the pot in the morning to about 120F and then take it off the stove and let it sit for 24 hours. The madder is in a bag in the pot with the yarn and every time I walk past I squeeze the bag. Our water is full of calcium, magnesium and other minerals. It is pH 7. It should give good reds but I only seem to get burnt orange. This morning I added calcium carbonate (chalk) to the vat. This is day 5.
do you use a mordant? what type? as far as i know, alum or copper mordants will help brighten the color, which might make it less burnt orange. also, i have used baker's ammonia in my dye vat which brightens the color as well. just a thought.
ReplyDeleteAlum (20%) and Cream of Tartar (7%) Madder 30%wof plus 30 grams Calcium carbonate (chalk). Its redder tonight. Madder is slow to dissove in the water. I'll take another picture tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Chris