Walnut 50g
Extracted from walnut hulls, this dye gives a rich brown. A mordant is not needed, but alum can be used to alter the colour (usually gives a more yellow - brown hue). To develop the colour, the extract needs to be simmered for 2 hours and left overnight before adding the fibre.
50g walnut extract dyes up to 250g wool to a light shade with an exhaust bath that can be used for multiple lighter shades.
Our walnut powder consists of finely ground dried hulls of the black walnut tree. It is a very strong dye and is used to make a silvery beige to nearly black. In old time natural dye recipes, it is often used as a base dye for indigo to create beautiful dark blue and blue-black.
Organic Walnut Hulls 50g
Fiber Preparation and Mordanting
It is not necessary to mordant prior to dyeing with walnut powder, but many dyers prefer to mordant all their yarns. Note that alum will impart a more golden tone to the walnut.
Extracting the Dye
For the darkest shades, use 100% walnut powder on the weight of fiber. For medium shades, use 50% walnut powder, and for light shades use 10-40% on the weight of fiber.In a small stockpot or other vessel, cover the walnut powder with water. Simmer the walnut powder over low flame for 2 hours, adding water as necessary and stirring occasionally. Carefully pour off the dark brown liquid. This is your dye bath. Save the walnut grounds: they may be extracted a number of times to yield lighter shades, or dried and reused.
Adding Fibers to the Pot
Fill the dye pot with water so that the fibres move easily. Add the brown extracted liquid and stir well. Add wet fibers to the cold dye pot and begin heating the water and bring to about s 33 degrees C, rotating the goods gently. Hold at this warm temperature for 30 minutes, then bring the temperature up gradually to 80 degrees C, rotating gently. Hold at this temperature for 30-45 minutes rotating regularly. Rinse once or twice using the same temperature water as your fibre to remove excess dye, then wash gently in a neutral liquid soap. Dry away from direct sunlight.
Reusing Dye Baths and Disposal of Dye
Any exhaust baths with dye color left in them may be used to dye additional materials. Dispose of the used dye baths in accordance with your local municipal guidelines.
Darkening Walnut Shades
Walnut will impart a very dark tone if iron (ferrous sulphate) is used as either a pre-mordant or a post-bath . The use and amount depends upon the fiber being dyed. For wool or protein fibres a lukewarm post-bath of 1% iron dissolved in cool water is recommended. Dip the fibre in the lukewarm bath until the color changes. For cotton or other cellulose fibers, it is possible to add iron to the dye bath. For cotton, you may use up to 3% iron on the weight of the dry fiber dissolved in cold water and added to the dye bath.
Try this! Overdyeing with madder to get a rich burgundy.