Saturday, January 17, 2009

In the dye pots: A recipe

I need more blacks for the background of my rug, so I decided to do some dying the other day. I used various shades and then overdyed them with hook book black. Well, the recipe called for dark brown, which I don't have so I used seal brown. It also called for olive green from cushions and I had an olive green from CK so I used my substitutes. I am not sure if it was the wool or the changes, but most of the wools came out darker, but not black.

But, it is a nice recipe so I thought I would share it with everyone.
I do not measure exactly and I do not put a set amount of wool in the pot, I just throw a bit of this and that in, lol.
So, these are estimates and you can try your own experiment.

I used about a half yard of wool. I used 1/4 teaspoon of black, 1/2 tsp of seal brown and 1/2 of olive green. Make sure you heat your water and stir the powders till they are completely dissolved. I add my pre-soaked wool and let it sit in the pot, until the water is almost clear. Then I add about a cup of vinegar. I used procion (C&K Craft) for the black and the olive green and cushing's seal brown.

This recipe can turn light grays into brown, that is what was so great about this experiment. The wool I used here, was white and gray when it started. Now it is a wonderful mix of light to dark browns. This would be great for trees, animals or backgrounds. So, if you do not have an olive green, try another shade of green or substitute the brown and make up your own new color.

7 comments:

Jacque. said...

Hey Debbie...BEAUTIFUL!

Anonymous said...

I always love new tips for the dye pot. Thank you!

primitivebettys said...

You did end up with a pretty color. :) Thanks for sharing.

Tolentreasures said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog. I love this wool! Such a pretty, soft color!

Cathy

Judy said...

Very nice color! I don't have a black in the Dump n Dye stuff I use so I wondered how to make it up and something a long this line might work.

WoolenSails said...

If you use those shades on other shades, you will get black. With thrift wool, it is dyed already, so it depends on what colors they used to make the dye. I can have 4 tans and use the same dye and get 4 different shades.

Debbie

Jacque. said...

Hey Debbie...check out my blog...there's something there for you. Congratulations!