Dyer's alkanet

Dyer's alkanet (Latin: Alkanna tinctoria) is renowned for its purple colorant found in the roots of the plant. The dye obtained from alkanet has been historically employed in the textile industry for coloring fabrics and yarns. Also known as dyers' bugloss, alkanet, Spanish bugloss, or Languedoc bugloss, this versatile dye is commonly used not only for textiles but also in cosmetics and soaps.

Name: dyer’s alkanet

Latin name: Alkanna tinctoria

Other names: dyers' bugloss, Spanish bugloss, or Languedoc bugloss

Type: mordant dye

Part of plant used: roots

Colorants: purple colorants which belong in the naphthoquinone group 

Main colors: lilac, violet

Other colors: various shades in a violet spectrum such as purple, lavender, mauve, and grey

Purpose: natural dye for textiles, leather, wood, candles, and other natural materials. Can be used for making botanical inks, pastels, watercolors, printing paste, etc. 

Dyeing with alkanet:

• Use 70-100% WOF. You can use less for lighter shades and a bit more for darker shades.

• Alkanet`s colorants are not soluble in water so it has to be dissolved in alcohol. Simply soak it in alcohol for several days until the liquid becomes very rich in color. Then add extra water so your fibers can be fully covered in dye solution.

• Add pre-wetted and pre-mordanted fibers and heat gently to 40-50 C until you get the desired color. 

• For a wider color palette experiment with additional citric acid, cream of tartar, soda ash, or chalk.

• To widen your palette even more experiment with additional mordants - iron sulfate or various tannins.