Pokeberries

In all the strange places pokeberries can be growing, I found them in the loft of one of our barns.  We don't use this part, as it needs major repairs.  


I was walking around the property last week and saw these and thought they would make a nice color to dye yarn with.  After doing my research on the wildflowers on our property, I found out that pokeberry juice can be used to write with also.  In fact, I was told the Declaration of Independence was possibly written with it.  I'm not sure if that's completely true, but found it interesting.  Pokeberry is poisonous and I removed a few that had grown near or in my garden this year.

Last week I got out the ladder and had one of the kids help me pick a bag full of these berries.  Did you know you can actually freeze these and dye with them later?  

I could not locate a local farmer who spins their own wool, so I purchased wool yarn.

I chose to use a safe mordant for my yarn.  I mixed a 50/50 solution of white distilled vinegar and water.  I heated my designated cook pot to a temperature that was just before boiling.  I did not boil, as this is wool.  I let the pot simmer for about one hour, then let it sit overnight.  I did not dry my yarn, and I saved the solution for the dye.

 Wool yarn after it sat overnight.

 Wool yarn drying after rinsing it.

I mashed the pokeberries with a potato masher, then ran that through a fine metal strainer, smashing out every bit of pokeberry juice.  I then discarded my stems, and poured my leftover 50/50 vinegar/water solution into the juice.  I heated that with the wool yarn and solution to the point where I saw the solution bubbling.  I did not boil it.  From what I have read, the temperature of the pot will be what decides the color you end up with.

I let the pot sit overnight again, and rinsed it out the next day.  I placed the yarn on an old towel to dry.  I have read that you should not place this out in the sun to dry, so it dried inside.  That particular day it was extremely windy and raining.

I plan to crochet or knit with it, but have not decided on my project yet.  I am very excited about the color and cannot wait to try other natural dyes. 

I think this farm could use a few sheep to spin wool with. 

Pumpkin Fudge Recipe

Pumpkin Fudge

2 cups sugar

3 Tablespoons cooked mashed pumpkin or canned pumpkin puree

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/4 tsp. cornstarch

1/2 cup milk, evaporated milk, or cream

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.

2. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, cornstarch, and milk.  Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils.  Still stirring, continue to cook until the mixture reaches 236°F on a candy thermometer (a small piece of fudge will form a soft ball if dropped in a glass of water).

3. Immediately remove from heat.  Add the vanilla and beat with an electric mixture until smooth.  Scrape into the prepared pan and let cool.

4. When the mixture is completely cooled and hardened, cut into squares.  Fudge is best eaten fresh, but it can be wrapped well and kept in the refrigerator for several weeks.

Makes 1 pound.

Many followers said they could not view the recipe, so I re-posted it for you all.  (source:  ?)