'Tis The Season to Be Dyeing...

Lots of yummy colors.....all over textures. Ready to be hooked. Tried to keep my steamy dye kitchen under wraps today as we had SO much humidity (read RAIN) from the tropical storm already...didn't need more to make the house extra humid. It seemed to work, most of the humidity was contained and sucked outside with my venting system. Here are the fruits of my labor....today. What fun it is to play in the dye pots again. Some of these are dye by eye, but most are reproducible colors....a necessity when customers want the same color...right? These lovelies are headed off in the mail tomorrow...

I hope this post finds everyone safe!

Dying for Spring...

OK Mother Nature has been fooling with our weather again. It was WINDY and COLD this weekend with RAIN and SLEET....So, I dabbled in the dye pots....one of my favorite things to do. I had some orders to fill for some students and customers. Here are some of the results....

I dyed this skein of RAGG 2 ply in the microwave. Here it is cooling on the back deck. The yarn is Briggs and Little 2 ply RAGG.

This is what it looks like dried and twisted. It is a nice soft spring green.

I used Wanda's float or wandering method to dye this . It is a lovely parade of browns. The wool is Dorr natural.

Here it is dried and ready for hooking. It is simply delicious. I hope the richness and variation of color and value comes through. Yummy!

This one does not have a before. I got carried away and forgot to take the photos of it in the electric fry pan. I used a spot method to get this wonderful beauty. Inspired by maple syrup and sugaring off. The yarn is Briggs and Little 2 ply Heritage natural.

 

Another one that escaped the camera. What can I say my hands were busy....LOL. Anyway, I dyed this one in the electric fry pan as well. It is also spotted with several colors to yield this softness. The yarn I started with is  Briggs and Little 4 ply washed white.

Kilims: Old Leather Brown

Here is another really interesting brown. It is called "Old Leather". It is another great color from the dye book Prisms #3: Color in Motion by the Dye Divas Claire deRoos and Nancy MacLennan. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Since this is an Abrash formula, the dyes were dissolved in 2 CBW (cups of boiling water), adding the mordant in the 2 cup solution. The first cup of dye solution was used to dye the wool - NO stirring, and then after the dye was taken up, the second cup of dye solution was poured over the wool as the wool was pulled up in peaks. First one side of the wool, flip it over then do the same to the other side. Click on the photo to see the great depth of color and variation in value. It is rich and luxurious. This delicious brown wool is a wonderful color for use in Kilims or maybe your next project. 

Kilims: Blue Green

Here is a lovely grayed down blue green. It is called "Glacier Green". It is another great color from the dye book Prisms #3: Color in Motion by the Dye Divas Claire deRoos and Nancy MacLennan. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Since this is an Abrash formula, the dyes were dissolved in 2 CBW (cups of boiling water), adding the mordant in the 2 cup solution. The first cup of dye solution was used to dye the wool - NO stirring, and then after the dye was taken up, the second cup of dye solution was poured over the wool as the wool was pulled up in peaks. First one side of the wool, flip it over then do the same to the other side. Click on the photo to see the great depth of color and variation in value. It is rich and luxurious. Another exquisite color for use in Kilims or your next project.

Kilims: Subdued Blue

Here is a great blue. It is called Slate Blue. It is a Prochem dye directly out of the jar. I used 1/4 tsp. of Slate Blue over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural wool processed in a Presto Pot (also known as a Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. This produces the wonderful mottling. Citric acid was used as a mordant. Click on the photo to see the loveliness. This is another great color for Kilims or your next new project. Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Kilims: Unusual Red

Here is a really unusual color. It is called "Hearth Stone". It is yet another color by Susan Quicksall from her dye book Dying for Color.  Check out her website here. Can you tell I am a HUGE fan of her colors??? Anyway, this piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. There are some lovely variations in value. This is a really great color for a Kilim or for your next project.  Click on the photo to see this wonderfully unusual red.

Kilims: Red Orange

Here is a wonderfully rich red orange. It is called "Bittersweet". It is yet another color by Susan Quicksall from her dye book Dying for Color.  Check out her website here. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Look at those amazing variations in value. This is a really great color for a Kilim or your next project.  Click on the photo to see this spectacular red orange.

Kilims: Earthy Orange

Here is a wonderful earthy orange color. It is called "Sweet Potato Pie". It is yet another color by Susan Quicksall from her dye book Dying for Color.  Check out her website here. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Check out the interesting variation in value. This is a really great color for a Kilim or your next project. I have dyed this over many different colors and textures and it is very nice. Click on the photo to see the interesting tones in this lovely earthy orange.

Kilims: Welcome to the Dark

Here is a delicious dark greenish brown. It is called "Compost". It is yet another color by Susan Quicksall from her dye book Dying for Color.  Check out her website here.This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Click on the photo to see the interesting tones in this dark brown. Check out the lovely variation in value. This is a really great dark color for a Kilim or other project. 

Kilims: Twilight Blue

Here we go again with the blues...This one is called Twilight. It is another great color from the dye book Prisms #3: Color in Motion by the Dye Divas Claire deRoos and Nancy MacLennan. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Since this is an Abrash formula, the dyes were dissolved in 2 CBW (cups of boiling water), adding the mordant in the 2 cup solution. The first cup of dye solution was used to dye the wool - NO stirring, and then after the dye was taken up, the second cup of dye solution was poured over the wool as the wool was pulled up in peaks. First one side of the wool, flip it over then do the same to the other side. Click on the photo to see the great depth of color and variation in value. It is dark and mysterious, no charming vampires, however. Yet another amazing blue for use in Kilims or any other project. 

Kilims: Blue

Here is another lovely blue. It is called Mandarin Blue Dark. It is yet another Oriental Background color formula from Prisms # 1 (66 Spots and 35 Oriental Backgrounds), a dye book from the Dye Divas Claire deRoos and Nancy MacLennan. This piece was dyed over 1/2 yard of Dorr wool in a Presto Pot (also known as a Kitchen Kettle) with little to NO stirring, hence the mottling. This is an Abrash formula, so the dyes were dissolved in 2 CBW (cups of boiling water), adding the mordant in the 2 cup solution. The first cup of dye solution was used to dye the wool - NO stirring, and then after the dye was taken up, the second cup of dye solution was poured over the wool as the wool was pulled up in peaks. First one side of the wool, flip it over then do the same to the other side. Click on the photo to see the richness of color. It is a really nice blue. This color may be used in Kilims or for your next project. Try it, you might just like it!

Kilims: Blue Light

Here is a wonderful light blue. It is called Mandarin Blue Light. It is an Oriental Background color formula from Prisms # 1 (66 Spots and 35 Oriental Backgrounds), a dye book from the Dye Divas Claire deRoos and Nancy MacLennan. This piece was dyed over 1/2 yard of Dorr wool in a Presto Pot (also known as a Kitchen Kettle) with little to NO stirring, hence the mottling. This is an Abrash formula, so the dyes were dissolved in 2 CBW (cups of boiling water), adding the mordant in the 2 cup solution. The first cup of dye solution was used to dye the wool - NO stirring, and then after the dye was taken up, the second cup of dye solution was poured over the wool as the wool was pulled up in peaks. First one side of the wool, flip it over then do the same to the other side. Click on the photo to see the lovely soft color. It is a really pretty blue. Another exquisite color for use in Kilims or your next project. You are going to love this one!

Kilims: Green? Blue?

Here is a really interesting color. It is called Herb Green. It is a Prochem dye directly out of the jar. I used 1/4 tsp. of Herb Green over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural wool processed in a Presto Pot (also known as a Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. This produces the wonderful mottling. Citric acid was used as a mordant. Click on the photo to see the loveliness. This is another great color for Kilims or your next new project. Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Kilims: Soft Tawny Brown

 

Here is a soft light tawny brown. It is called Bees Wax. It is yet another color by Susan Quicksall (deqslq@aol.com) from her dye book Dying for Color. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Click on the photo to see the interesting tones in this soft brown. Check out the lovely variation in value. This is a lovely warm color for a Kilim or other project. 

Kilims: Brassy Gold

Here is a wonderful gold color. It is called Old Brass. It is another great color from the dye book Prisms #3: Color in Motion by the Dye Divas Claire deRoos and Nancy MacLennan. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Since this is an Abrash formula, the dyes were dissolved in 2 CBW (cups of boiling water), adding the mordant in the 2 cup solution. The first cup of dye solution was used to dye the wool - NO stirring, and then after the dye was taken up, the second cup of dye solution was poured over the wool as the wool was pulled up in peaks. First one side of the wool, flip it over then do the same to the other side. Click on the photo to see the great depth of color and variation in value. It is rich and luxurious. Another exquisite color for use in Kilims or any other project. 

Kilims: Beautiful Brown

Here is a beautiful brown. It is called Potato Skin. It is yet another formula from Susan Quicksall (deqslq@aol.com) from her dye book Dying for Color. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot (also called Kitchen Kettle) with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Click on the photo to see the interesting tones in this brown. Check out the lovely variation in value. This is a lovely warm color for a Kilim or other project. 

Kilims: Orangey Brown!

Here is another lovely warm color. It is called Rustic Roost. It is yet another formula from Susan Quicksall (deqslq@aol.com) from her dye book Dying for Color. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Click on the photo to see the warmth and wonder in this orangey brown. Check out the lovely variation in value. Another really great color for a Kilim or other project. Enjoy!

Kilims: Orange? Brown?

Here is an interesting color. It is called Cider. A sort of brownish orange. It is a formula from Susan Quicksall (deqslq@aol.com) from her dye book Dying for Color. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Click on the photo to see the incredible richness of wonder in this orange. This is a really great color for a Kilim or other project.

Kilims: Golden Green?

Here is a great color. This is Golden Pear. It is a Prochem dye directly out of  the jar. I used 1/4 tsp. of Golden Pear over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural wool processed in a Presto Pot with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. This produces the wonderful mottling. Click on the photo to see the loviness. This is another great color for Kilims. Try it you will be surprised!

Kilims: Back to Browns Again

Here is a lovely soft brown. It is called Windmill. It is a formula of Susan Quicksall (deqslq@aol.com) from her dye book Dying for Color. This piece was dyed using Prochem dyes over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural in a Presto Pot with only enough water to cover the wool with little to NO stirring. Click on the photo to see this surprising color. A good brown for Kilims and more!