Post by Pandagirl on Jan 25, 2014 23:28:43 GMT
I've spent the past few days dyeing the cocoons, carrier rods, nebbs and some sari eyelash yarn I bought. For me one of the hardest decisions is what colors to use. Since I really didn't have any particular project in mind for these items, I decided to try my favorites -- teal, purple, moss green, black and aztec gold.
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I soaked and separated the carrier rods, then soaked everything in vinegar water overnight. I used acid dyes I had prepared last year -- 1 teaspoon powder to 1 cup water. I placed the items to be dyed on saran wrap then I used the color without diluting them since I wanted bright colors.
I used two dog brushes on the nepps before soaking to rough them up a little so they may take the dye and felt better. (Thank you Zed for the idea.) You may also notice the yarns with the different colors - looking like they are white. I bought a cone of thick and thin yarn at a yard sale this summer that was marked "wool." I hadn't taken it out of the bag until I started this project. The minute I did I noticed a sheen, but thought ok maybe it's got a little nylon or something in it. I''m not sure what it is but I will have to redye them with procion mx to see if that works. I used idye for the aztec gold, it's too bad I didn't try the yarn with that color since it will dye most anything.
At the last minute I thought I'd add a little red pile. There wasn't enough room in the pot, so that color is just exposure to the dye. I used acid dyes except for a small pile of nepps on the left bottom with the yarn. I used some green label dye I had mixed last year that was a mix of purple/blue/black. The nepps turned out nice with variations of a heather type purple. The yarn actually took a little of the color enough so its not white.
I wrapped each color group and started the water for steaming. I seem to have better luck with acid dyes this way. I steamed them for 30 minutes and let it sit overnight. I rinsed everything out in cool water, spun it semi dry and placed it all on towels to dry. A few of the colors still bled after a synthropol wash and several rinses. I'll have to be careful to use these on a dark background material. The pic on the right is a closeup of some of the items.
I was happy with the color results for the rods, nepps and cocoons although the carrier rods are stiff again. I hope they will soften up when felted. I was majorly disappointed in the sari eyelash. There was nothing in the description to suggest it was something other than silk. Obviously it was braided with cotton or something. If I get ambitious I may try that with the procion mx as well. My biggest disappointment with the thick and thin yarn. Any idea where I can buy it in wool undyed at a reasonable price? I've been scouring the net looking.
Yesterday I tryed some snow dyeing with acid dyes. I should have results tomorrow since they are in the steamer cooling off.
Any suggestions for these weird looking cocoons?
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I soaked and separated the carrier rods, then soaked everything in vinegar water overnight. I used acid dyes I had prepared last year -- 1 teaspoon powder to 1 cup water. I placed the items to be dyed on saran wrap then I used the color without diluting them since I wanted bright colors.
I used two dog brushes on the nepps before soaking to rough them up a little so they may take the dye and felt better. (Thank you Zed for the idea.) You may also notice the yarns with the different colors - looking like they are white. I bought a cone of thick and thin yarn at a yard sale this summer that was marked "wool." I hadn't taken it out of the bag until I started this project. The minute I did I noticed a sheen, but thought ok maybe it's got a little nylon or something in it. I''m not sure what it is but I will have to redye them with procion mx to see if that works. I used idye for the aztec gold, it's too bad I didn't try the yarn with that color since it will dye most anything.
At the last minute I thought I'd add a little red pile. There wasn't enough room in the pot, so that color is just exposure to the dye. I used acid dyes except for a small pile of nepps on the left bottom with the yarn. I used some green label dye I had mixed last year that was a mix of purple/blue/black. The nepps turned out nice with variations of a heather type purple. The yarn actually took a little of the color enough so its not white.
I wrapped each color group and started the water for steaming. I seem to have better luck with acid dyes this way. I steamed them for 30 minutes and let it sit overnight. I rinsed everything out in cool water, spun it semi dry and placed it all on towels to dry. A few of the colors still bled after a synthropol wash and several rinses. I'll have to be careful to use these on a dark background material. The pic on the right is a closeup of some of the items.
I was happy with the color results for the rods, nepps and cocoons although the carrier rods are stiff again. I hope they will soften up when felted. I was majorly disappointed in the sari eyelash. There was nothing in the description to suggest it was something other than silk. Obviously it was braided with cotton or something. If I get ambitious I may try that with the procion mx as well. My biggest disappointment with the thick and thin yarn. Any idea where I can buy it in wool undyed at a reasonable price? I've been scouring the net looking.
Yesterday I tryed some snow dyeing with acid dyes. I should have results tomorrow since they are in the steamer cooling off.
Any suggestions for these weird looking cocoons?