PARMELIA SUCATA – LICHEN DYE
50 SHADES OF COLOUR
Parmelia Sucata is a foliose type of lichen – Also known as Hammered Shield Lichen/Crottle.
• Growth form: Large, branched, ruffled/leafy lobes that are loosely attached — classic foliose type that grows on tree bark (corticolous).
• Color and texture: Pale grey-green to beige when dry (it turns greener when wet). The “net-like” or lacey appearance in the images comes from the wrinkled, pitted upper surface and the way the lobes tear or overlap as it dries. Some brown spotting is common with age or sun exposure.
• Habitat: Very common on tree trunks in the Kootenays / Interior BC, especially on deciduous or coniferous trees in somewhat open or humid areas.
FERMENTATION VAT – SAMPLE
FERMENTATION DYE METHOD:
I filled a large glass jar with warm tap water and set it outside – since this is now summer and I am fortunate to have yard with good sun exposure. I put some of the lichen into a mesh bag and placed it into the jar of water. I left it for a few days in the sunshine (bringing the into the house overnight) after 4-5 days the water started to turn an orange colour.
I placed a small skein of the recent yarn that I had recently spun on a drop spindle and left this to sit in the lichen dye vat. Again, I left this outside in the sunshine and would bring it indoors when the weather got cool and in the evenings. I will leave this yarn in the jar for another few days allowing the colour to deepen.
MORDANT DYE METHODS:
I am drop spindle spinning more yarns and will be dyeing these with different lichen dyes, testing different pH levels using vinegar(acid) or soda ash (alkali), using mordants such as alum.
PLANT DYE BOOKS
Natural Plant Dye Books
Categories: DYES
