How to Process Poke Berries for Dye

Ripe poke berries

Ripe poke berries are the most beautiful magenta color and a perfect natural dye for fiber crafters who raise their own animals such as llamas, rabbits and sheep and have wool to dye several times during the year. Native Americans used to paint their horses with this richly-colored magenta dye and the Cherokees even used the berries to rid themselves of "evil spirits." The following article will help you learn how to process poke berries for dye.

Things You'll Need

• Old clean window screen

Instructions

1. 

   Harvest ripe poke berries at the beginning of August through the season which may vary from area to area. Place them in a basket being careful not to pile too many poke berries on top as berries at the bottom will burst and not be suitable for drying.

2. 

   Arrange the ripe poke berries on old clean window screens making sure they are not touching each other and place the screens in the sun to allow the berries to dry out completely.

3. Check the drying berries every day and rearrange them so they will dry evenly. Discard any berries that split open or look different from the others.

4. Store the dried poke berries in airtight containers in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of babies and children.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wash your hands after handling poke berries as they are poisonous.

Resources

• Poke berries information
• Alt Nature website for more details on poke berries