Dyeing newbie questions

[lindsay]

I’ve just dyed my first wool. 

I need a small amount of coloured 14mic merino and I only have white. I don’t really want to buy some as I really do only need a small amount so I decided to use some dye that I bought ages ago and haven’t used. 

I decided to try some 23mic to start with as the 14mic is much more expensive. 

In spite of my best intentions the process was a little hit-and-miss but actually it seems to have worked pretty well. 

I followed the excellent Felt and Fiber Studio tutorial on adding dye direct to wool then steaming it. I realised the dye powder I was using was much less concentrated than that used in the tutorial so tipped extra powder in just in time. 

Two questions: is there anything I need to bear in mind when dyeing finer merino?

Anyone got any suggestions for extending the legs of the vegetable steamer I’m using?  

It could do with being further from the water so I can put in enough water without direct contact. The pan and steamer are just for dying so I’d prefer not to have to buy different equipment.  

[lindsay]

[lyn]

Ooooh pretty!

[lindsay]

Jan 28, 2021 11:21:27 GMT lyn said:

Ooooh pretty!

Thanks, Lyn.  They are Australian dyes, apparently based on Australian environment colours. It’s interesting how differently they have taken. Salmon Gum (reddish colour) has taken very evenly, chamomile is blotchy & plum also more uneven. Not a problem as I like the variation. 

[lyn]

Couldn't agree more. I love the 'organic' look.

[Shepherdess]

Pretty, my only suggestion is to be careful handling it when it's wet. Once it's dry give it a good shake to fluff it back up. Wetting it takes all the air out of it.

To pop your steamer up just put a small bowl or a can ( tuna or soup depending on the hight you need) in the bottom of the pot for the steamer to sit on. I just did some lock dying in some plastic freezer bags and put my ramekin bowls in the bottom of the pot in case the bags slipped all the way in.

[MTRuth]

Looks like you did a great job! The main thing is to avoid agitation when the wool is hot and wet as Ann has said. Let it cool down completely and handle very gently.

[lindsay]

Jan 28, 2021 14:25:30 GMT Shepherdess said:

Pretty, my only suggestion is to be careful handling it when it's wet. Once it's dry give it a good shake to fluff it back up. Wetting it takes all the air out of it.

To pop your steamer up just put a small bowl or a can ( tuna or soup depending on the hight you need) in the bottom of the pot for the steamer to sit on. I just did some lock dying in some plastic freezer bags and put my ramekin bowls in the bottom of the pot in case the bags slipped all the way in.

Thanks, Ann

Its one of those metal steamers that folds out like a fan. It has 4 little legs that stand in the water. A can or ramekins is a good idea. I was trying to think of things that wouldn’t mind being boiled.  I will give that a go. 

I’m leaving the wool well alone until it’s completely dry (even though I’m itching to pull bits off to see how they look!). 

[lindsay]

Jan 28, 2021 15:12:03 GMT MTRuth said:

Looks like you did a great job! The main thing is to avoid agitation when the wool is hot and wet as Ann has said. Let it cool down completely and handle very gently.

Thanks, Ruth. I did the dyeing last thing in the evening and just switched off the heat and left it to cool overnight which seems like a reasonable idea. I will be super-careful with the 14mic merino. 

[Pandagirl]

Looks good Lindsay!

[dottyhen]

Lovely colours!