Sunday, August 1, 2010

Dyeing Wool


Yesterday I dyed wool all day. It wasn't planned, I drew a pattern on linen. Looked through my wool and I was missing alot of colors I wanted to hook in the rug. It seems like the days I dye wool I'm doing many other things too. Last night my son had a party here so in between dyeing wool I was helping him. We have a pond on our farm so the party wasn't here at our house. So in between baking cheesey potatoes(no dyes got into the food LOL!) I was dyeing primitive orange, mustard and red wool. Tommorrow I might dye greens and would like to try black for backgrounds.

This is the way I keep records of dyeing wool. It is no frills and very simple way to keep track. As soon as the wool is dyed, I cut off little pieces. I even cut it when it is wet and staple the swatch to an index card. Write down the recipe right away. I have done it several hours after I dye the wool and sometimes haven't been able to remember. Usually when I'm dyeing I will dye wool all day and use LOTS of different recipes. I use several different books and if I don't have a particular color I use the Cushings color wheel. Choose a color close to the one I need. So that can be confusing also. I keep a pen and index card to write down notes too.

I bought this index card box at an auction. It had unused index cards, it was prefect for keeping swatches of dyed wool. I don't keep the swatches in any certain order.

12 comments:

  1. Gorgeous colors. I'm anxious to see this rug progress. Looks like a very rich palette.

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  2. Sounds like you had a fun and full day. I love seeing how people ORGANIZE their rug hooking stuff....what a great system for your recipes.

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  3. the wool drying outside is a beautiful picture...love the colors...smiles, Linda

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  4. Julie ~
    What great colors. I'm sure they will be lovely however you use them.
    I still haven't tried dying wool ~ one of these days I must!
    Isn't it a lovely day in Ohio today?
    Pug hugs :)
    Lauren

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  5. Wow what organization - i never keep records and wish i would sometimes! Those wools look so yummy - great colors!

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  6. Wonderful prims colors Julie!! Love them all!! Thanks for sharing how you keep your formulas organized. That's a great idea and I need to do it!

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  7. Hi Julie,
    Your wool is gorgeous. I have been in the mood to dye too. I'm on vacation all next week so I may dye tomorrow, I could use some mustards. I was thinking today that Malabar is right around the corner. I hope to see you.

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  8. Oh that pic of the wool drying on the line is scrumptious!

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  9. I'm laughing at your recipe box, only because I have one that looks Just like it! Like you said, if you do many colors in a day it's hard to tell what's what after they all come out of the dryer together.
    Love your clothes line too!
    Sheri

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  10. Colors are perfect, makes me want to dye some more wool but know I won't, you really gotta be in the mood to tackle that process. You are one busy gal.

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  11. Love your colors Julie! I promised myself I would dye more this year............haven't been able too yet and today is August 2nd.....where has the summer gone???

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  12. Julie ~ your dyed wools look gorgeous! What a nice way to end a day huh? Folding up all those wools :-)

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