About Rugs Rug Color
Yarn
Today, handmade rug yarn is still crafted as it was hundreds of years ago. The rug process often begins with sheep shaving to get fibers that are later spun into yarn with a spindle. The yarn is then boiled in a mixture of different plants and minerals and water in huge vats that formulate different colors.
After the yarn is died it is washed and laid out to dry.
Until the 19th century all rugs were made with natural dies until chemical dies were invented. Still, the quality of natural dies is superior to chemical dies as they do not fade with time. Plant dyes come from roots, flowers, leaves, fruit, and bark of plants.
Natural Dyes
Natural dyes originate from various sources depending on the types of plants and minerals of the area the rugs are created in. When there is a wealth of specific plants or minerals of certain colors it is indicated by an areas rug assortment. The dyes that are used can also distinguish rugs by geographic region. For example, in Aphganestan most of the plants and minerals produce red and black dyes so therefore most of the rugs that are produced in the area are comprised of only those two colors. In addition, it is not uncommon for a rug to have what is called an abrash, or a slight change of color in the rug. Often this occurs because it is difficult for individuals to create an exact color match with natural dyes. However, this does not affect the value but adds character to the rug and often authenticity to it being handmade.
The following is a list of some plants that are used to create colors of yarn:
Brazilwood
The reddish wood of certain tropical trees or shrubs in the pea family is a source of red, purple, and black dye in early Chinese rugs.
Catechu Dye, Cutch
Is a spiny Asian tree (Acacia catechu) also called Betel Palm with spikes of yellow flowers, and dark heartwood is a source of Tannins and brown dyes.
Rhubarb
Any of several plants of the Rheum family have edible long, green or reddish, acidic leafstalks and are a source of Yellow to copper-red dyes which are found in abundance in China and India.
Sumac
Any of various small trees of the Rhus family with compound leaves, clusters of small greenish flowers, and usually red, hairy fruit. The wood of the sumac tree is a source yellow dye in rugs of China.
Turmeric
A widely cultivated tropical plant of India (Curcuma tinctoria) with yellow flowers and an aromatic root which is used as a spice and yellow dye.
Fustic:
A small dioecious tropical American tree (Cholorophora tinctoria), also called old fustic or dyer's mulberry. A yellow dye is derived from its wood.
Indigo
Any of various shrubs or herbs of the genus Indigofera in the pea family with odd-pinnate leaves and usually red or purple flowers. A yellow juice from the plant oxidizes to blue when exposed to air.
Madder
A southwest Asian long lasting plant (Rubia tinctorum) with small yellow flowers, spiraled leaves, and a red root. The root of this plant was and in some places still is an important source of red dye.
Safflower
A yellow dye is produced from the orange flowers of safflower (Carthamus tinctoria).
Saffron
A plant (Crocus sativus) with purple or white flowers with orange stigmas. The dried aromatic stigmas are used as food coloring and as a cooking spice.
Minerals
The following is a list of some minerals that are used to create colors of yarn:
Azurite
Creates variations of blue.
Lapis Lazuli
An opaque to translucent blue, violet-blue, or greenish-blue.
Malachite
A light to dark green carbonate mineral.
Limestone
Is a common sedimentary rock creates variation of white hues.
Similar to a painter, a dyer is able to mix colors to produce a variety of different hues. In addition, often a dyer is able to acquire a number of different colors from the same source with the use of a mordant, or strong natural acid.
