Thursday, April 16, 2009

~*A Day in the Dye Pots*~

Hello Dear Friends! For those of you that offered help, suggestions, and guidance regarding my wool question the other day... thank you! I spent a good part of the day in the kitchen playing with wool ~ or as my boys say, "cooking fabric". Here are some pictures of my results... (I put a small piece of 'before wool' over the 'after wool' to show how it changed.)

I don't have very much Cushing's Dye, but I did have enough to try Khaki Drab. For this batch... I used 1 tsp. Khaki Drab and 1/2 tsp. Med. Brown to dye about 1 pound of wool.


This batch was about 1/2 pound of wool. I used PRO Chem Washfast Acid Dye. 1/2 tsp. 503 Brown and 1/8 tsp. 672 Jet Black


This was also dyed in the PRO Chem recipe from above...


For this one, I tried to dye with the color compliment of the dominant color in the wool. I saw more Navy Blue than any other color... so I used orange. I added 1/2 tsp. Orange 233 directly to the dye pot with about 1/2 yard wool. It changed more than the photo is showing... much more drab. I think it would make a fun border wool.


I also tried to do some 'changes' without adding any commercial dye. For this one, I 'stewed' about 1 pound of wool in 1 Tb. Tide for about an hour. I am very excited how this one changed! It was so bright red and green before!


My friend Cyndi is selling these sweet little notebooks. I purchased one from her the other day & was so proud of myself for taking notes AND adding samples of what I used and finished with. So, maybe the next time I get the pots & dye out... I can keep up my Dye Journalling!


All in all... it was a FUN time & I feel I really learned a lot and, more importantly, gained confidence to do it again!

Many warm smiles to you...
Betty

15 comments:

  1. oooh I can't believe the dyed wool. It is amazing...I knew I should have bought the cushings dye when I was in America!!! I even had it in my hands...aarrgh.

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  2. Betty,
    I think the cushings made it more antique dark. I use both too and usually mix the brands. Khaki drab and brown are my staples, makes everything look good;)

    Debbie

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  3. Betty, They sell Cushings Dyes at the Yarn Barn in Lawrence. They are located in the back of the store.

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  4. The wool is beautiful. You are dong something that I have no idea about. I am so impressed.What will you make with all of this wool?

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  5. Great job Betty! Sure seems you had a ton of fun today in the kitchen. I can just picture some of your hooking with these! Time to get busy(er) lol.

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  6. This was so interesting. I wondered how wool got to be the most luscious prim colors. You are so creative and what an eye for color. Loved my visit. :o)

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  7. Wow, these turned out great!! Can't wait to see what projects you work with this wool.
    LOVE the Journal book. Great idea to keep track of your dyeing.

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  8. looking good Betty - so nice and warm now!

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  9. Fantastic experiments Betty! I think they all turned out great... but I especially like the first one! Very educational post, so thanks for sharing the details! And, cooked wool is zero points on WW! LOL! ;-)

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  10. Great Job Betty! Now isn't that great fun!!!! I love to play with the dyes just to see what happens! I figure it is like painting a wall, if you don't like how it turns out you can always dye it again of fade it out!

    Mindy...

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  11. Yikes! They really turned out great. And it is so much fun to dye wool or floss. Good goin' Betty!

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  12. WOW Betty... LOVE the antiquey finish with the cushings dye.. I think I will have to tell my son to have a look see for me before he comes home.. tho him being 19 and at University in Kentucky, NOT really sure he will know where to find it.. LOL.. What you gonna do with that beautiful wool??
    Hugz xxx Tea

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  13. What fun Betty! I can tell you were having a really great day experimenting and being creative in the dye pots.

    "Cooking Wool".... makes me smile.

    All my best,
    Marita

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  14. What fun! I know your were having a joyous day creating & experimenting in the dye pots.
    "Cooking Wool"......makes me smile.

    All my best,
    Marita

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