Winter Blues
Summer is over. A very busy and nice one. So it is now time to get to work and fill my studio shelves back up. If asked what is my leastt favorite color, I would tell you blue. But then I look around and I have blue in most of my rugs and a lot of accents around my house. But that seemed to be one of the colors I was lacking. So I got out the dye pots. I came up with the following formula that I call WINTER BLUES.
In 2 cups of boiling water, I added 1/2 t. national blue #425, 1/16 t. #490 blue, and 1/16 t. #338 red
This will dye over a yard of natural giving you several pieces of dark blue, medium and lighter blues. I am trying to use more of my recycled wools so also dyed over some lighter grey with some poly fiber flecks in it and some small checks. The recycled wools may take up a little more dye that the naturals. So the amount of wool you can dye may vary.
In my second batch I changed the formula using 1/4 t. 425, 1/32 490, 1/32 338 and added 1/32 turquoise # 478. I once again used natural, a black and white check, the light grey with the poly fiber and also some camel which which gave it a green/ blue cast.
As I sell wool, I have in the past skipped over many of my recycled wools, because they were odd ball pieces or I am not sure how they will take the dyes. So I am trying to start a new resolution. I will pull those textures and strange pieces off my storage shelves and share with you my formulas and ideas as the fall and winter goes on.
I hope you have a fun, fun time in the dye pots. Don't be afraid to try substitute another dye if you don't have the exact ones that I mention. If you do, you will have made your very own formula.
Not ready to try dyeing your own wool yet? All of the above wools mentioned are available at the http://www.woollytrout.com site. I can also be reached for questions at woollytrout@gmail.com
Come back and see us soon.
