Our summer has been so very dry this year that I’m not finding too many mushrooms of any kind in the forest out back. I did find a couple of small Phaeolus schweinitzii near a boggy area, and these were already partially dried. I put them in my small dyepot and did a slow almost-simmer for four or five hours, then dyed some sample skeins, which came out a lovely, rich gold. I then returned the pieces of the polypore back to the dyepot for another few hours, and now a second sample dyebath is in the works. I want to see how many of these little dyebaths I can get from the two mushrooms – I’ll have photos up shortly.
All together now . . . rain dance!
SHROOMWORKS 
Just did a bunch of polypore dyeing and it is one of my favourite, but you are right not much happening in the woods here yet, either….can read about what I did on my blog, got some lovely gold and turned it to green…needed green more than yellows, seems I have a lot of yellows…can’t wait to see your pics….cheers c
Hi Cedar
I love the green you got from the phaeolus! I’m going to try that with my next dyepot – I’m finding so many out there right now, just wish I had more time to play. Organizing the upcoming mushroom festival is occupying much of my time these days, but with David Arora coming (and stayiing at our B&B!), it’s all going to be worth it.
I just got a bright, bright gold from a phaeolus button – went back to pick the rest and it had already opened out and darkened. Gotta find some more of the baby ones.
I’ll have some pics up within the week, I hope.
Take care,
Ann