|
Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Feb 27, 2014 14:31:32 GMT
Halay, someone on the forum suggested getting two dog brushes with handles rather than wool carders--they're a lot less expensive! I've done a little bit of carding, as needed.
|
|
|
Post by halay on Feb 27, 2014 14:37:01 GMT
Shepherdess, thanks for the advice re dyes but I can only get those that are sold here. So far I have been quite happy with my experiments but I open for new suggestions.
|
|
|
Post by halay on Feb 27, 2014 14:38:40 GMT
Luwswool, yes I remember this post. I need to get two dog brushes now. There are so many project I want to do but too little time.
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Feb 27, 2014 15:37:09 GMT
I've also used the Jacquard green silk dyes(liquid) that you can also use for wool. I tend to get the primaries but also when I want special colors like teal, gold or silver I'm not confident enough to get those by mixing. I have a collection of acid, green and Procion mx. The nice thing about acid dyes you can mix them and keep the stock for a long time, then mix, dilute or whatever. I sometimes feel like a mad scientist.
Leonor you can start out with small amounts to experiment until you feel comfortable with the process.
|
|
|
Post by MTRuth on Feb 27, 2014 17:51:51 GMT
When I do a dyeing session, I spend all day and dye as much wool as I can. I just make a bunch of colors and I know they will eventually all get used. I don't do a lot of precise measuring and keeping track. I just accept that I'm going to get what I get and not worry about trying for specific colors.
If you do pot dyeing and are careful with the dyeing process (no stirring, smooshing or excessive touching of the wool), you won't need to card the wool again. But if you do the process where you smoosh the dye into the wool, you'll probably need a bit of carding afterwards.
The easiest way to start is to dye small amounts in plastic bags and "steam" in the microwave.
|
|
|
Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Feb 27, 2014 21:01:07 GMT
I'm all for the microwave dyeing in plastic bags! That made the food color dyeing so easy and mess-free. If I ever do the acid dyes, I would definitely use the microwave method.
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Feb 27, 2014 21:23:19 GMT
You will need to dedicate it to dyeing if you do. I steam most everything. If I had an old microwave I'd definitely prefer that method, too.
|
|
|
Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on Feb 27, 2014 22:01:33 GMT
I'd love to dye my own wool, but I'd need to be able to replicate the results... and I'm afraid I'd felt all the wool Halay, you won't need to card the wool again, you can just tie the wool in a way as to protect it from moving around too much in the pot (you don't want that anyway, because it'll felt)...
|
|
|
Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Feb 28, 2014 0:31:22 GMT
Marilyn, are you suggesting NOT microwaving anything that's been acid dyed? I actually only have one standard microwave used primarily for re-heating leftovers.
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Feb 28, 2014 2:40:34 GMT
No, but you need to dedicate a a microwave to dyeing if you're going to use it for dyeing, check out thrift stores or your friends for used microwaves. There is something chemical that changes with the dyes in a microwave that makes it unsafe for food. Check out sales at target and other retailers you can get a microbes for under $100. But thrift stores can be a treasure mine.
|
|
|
Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Mar 1, 2014 1:18:02 GMT
Thanks for that! I learn something new every day.
|
|
|
Post by Pandagirl on Mar 1, 2014 2:08:11 GMT
I should have clarified that if you use acid dyes you need a dedicated microwave. ;-)
|
|
|
Post by koffipot on Mar 1, 2014 6:39:48 GMT
All equipment used for dyeing should not be used for food. Pots, pans, microwave, steamer ......... etc. etc. Though I suppose if you're using food colourings you should be OK. Those dog brushes are good for carding and blending small amounts. If you get the urge to do more then you could invest in some larger hand carders - I find them hard work though, and wouldn't like to think I was carding a whole fleece!
|
|
|
Post by zed on Mar 1, 2014 15:31:15 GMT
Leonor, you probably won't be surprised I'd recommend World of Wool for dyes www.worldofwool.co.uk/products/130/eurolana_dyes.htmThey are really cheap, and they have equipment now, too, like pipettes, measuring tubs etc. I dye small amounts at a time, using cling film and a steamer, here's a PDF I did about dyeing small amounts, there's a table for roughly how much you need depending on how much fibre you have. feltingandfiberstudio.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/direct-dyeing1.pdfI use silk, but it's the same for wool. You can do both at the same time to get matching shades. If you use syringes or measuring spoons you you can still keep track of mixing colours to recreate them
|
|
|
Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on Mar 1, 2014 20:09:16 GMT
I didn't know World of Wool also had dyes, thanks, Zed Would you say the steamer should also be used solely for dyeing? Thanks for the tips!
|
|