MATERIALS & DYES

Yellow

Chemical compounds from plant metabolism such as flavonoids, anthraquinones, and curcuminoids can make yellow colorants. Many plants in the temperate rainforest of the Pacific Northwest will give excellent yellow dyes. Adding an alkaline substance like baking soda can make colors more vivid. In general, natural dyes fade more easily than synthetic ones. In addition to plants, lichens and mushrooms can also produce dyes. A lichen known as “wolf moss” has been in continuous use among weavers, even though it does not grow in the rainforest. It has long been a trade item with dryer regions inland from the coast. These samples include dyestuffs and yarns utilizing wolf moss, commercial turmeric spice, lupine flower, pineapple weed, goat’s beard flower, yarrow flower, Bryoria lichen, horsetail, onion skins, hawkweed flower, cow parsnip flower, plantain leaf, marigold, and Cortinarius mushroom. Learn more about Chilkat Dye Research.