More Adventures in Dyeing

Okay, my husband reminded me that this is a hobby and that I was working too hard, but I have to go back to work tomorrow and there was so much I wanted to get done! I really wanted to try my drizzle dye method that has worked so well with silk ribbon.

I actually LOVED the final dyed effect, but it was too jumbled up to spin after some simple flicking. So I felt compelled to card it, which created a fairly consistent blended color, instead of the violet, purple, green splotches. Next time, I will keep my locks better aligned and I will skip the spin cycle and let it dry slowly and naturally.

This was a blend of Pansy, Forrest Green, Saffron & Shiraz OzeCraft Dyes that I bought from Lisa Risler of Lisa's Heaven. I bought this dye for painting Venice Lace, which is its main use aside from dyeing silk ribbon. But, I am on a wool kick, so I figured that I would try it.

I used a dropper to drizzle concentrated dye onto wetted Cheviot fleece. After allowing it to sit for about half an hour, I vigorously stirred the wool before placing it into a microwave for heat setting. I use a separate microwave for crafts, because I have one. There is some advantage to combining two households. ;-)



Wet Dyed Wool

Dry Wool Photographed with a Flash

Dry Wool Photographed in Natural Light, I tried to use a flick carder to keep the variegated effect, but the wool was too tangled.

Final Product After Carding