Discover the vibrant colors hidden in the forests, gardens, and wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest.
Whether you're a fibre artist, forager, gardener, or simply curious about natural pigments, Wild Dyes of the Pacific Northwest invites you to explore the rich tradition of sustainably creating beautiful colours from plants, mushrooms, and lichens. Author Zoe McDonell combines scientific knowledge with hands-on experience to present clear, accessible instructions for transforming locally sourced materials into stunning dyes for wool and other fibres.
Inside, you'll find:
- Detailed profiles of over 50 dye sources, from common backyard plants like marigolds to forest mushrooms to delicate lichens with notes on ethical use
- Step-by-step processes for foraging or harvesting, preparing materials, and dyeing fibre, complete with mordanting instructions and colour samples
- Indigenous perspectives and traditional knowledge shared by Coast Salish weavers and Knowledge Keepers
- Ethical wildcrafting guidelines to ensure your foraging protects and honours the land
- Practical advice on equipment, workspace setup, safety, and troubleshooting
From the yellows of goldenrod to the deep purples of cortinarius mushrooms and the seafoam greens of hedgehog fungi, this book celebrates the incredible palette available in Pacific Northwest ecosystems. Each entry includes identification tips, habitat information, seasonal guidance, and specific ratios and techniques to achieve beautiful, lightfast colors.
More than just a dyeing manual, this book is an invitation to deepen your connection with the natural world, practice living heritage, and join a vibrant community of dyers who are rediscovering the magic of creating colours from the earth.
