Kilims: Back to the Blues

 

Here is another wonderful blue. This one is called Williamsburg Blue Dark. 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. Click on the photo to see the great depth of color.

It is rich and luxurious. Another exquisite color for use in Kilims. 

The Presto Pot

 

For those of you that have inquired....here is a photo of the Presto Pot that I have been talking about in my previous posts. It was purchased in the US at Walmart. It was retailing for $19.99, but I think the last time that I saw it the price was up to $21.99. I believe it is called a multi-cooker or kettle cooker. I honestly do not remember exactly.( If anyone knows the exact name please share it with us...thanks). It comes with a glass cover which is not included in this photo and I rarely ever use the cover at all. It also comes with an aluminum basket for deep frying. Some folks use the basket to make spot dyes and or really mottled wool. I rarely use the basket either. The Presto Pot easily holds a 1/2 yard and can hold a yard quite nicely. The temp control allows you to really watch your pot simmer wonderfully.

My Kilim So Far...

 

My progress on my Kilim has been slow, but steady. I am a very slow hooker, especially when I am using a # 5 cut. The traditional symbols found in Kilim rugs and carpets have meanings which have been passed down from one generation to the next.

"The patterns and motifs on kilim rugs have a symbolic language. Thus, many symbolic, iconic or indexical motifs (signs) on kilim rugs can help transfer the cultural data of that time to the present day, therefore kilims are media of transferring cultural heredity as well." (Assist. Prof. PhD. Nurdan Taflk›ran - Kocaeli University, Faculty of Communication, Radio, Cinema & TV Dept., Turkey.) 

This "Red" panel represents me.

Here is an iconic figure of a man that represents me. Above me is an icon which symbolizes my hands, used to create the rugs that I make.

 

Above the hand is an icon of a cross which symbolizes my connection to my spirituality, and my yoga practice (mind/body/soul). 

Here are two more two crosses, one stylized as a flower which relates to my spiritual connection to the earth and my garden and flowers and the other a more traditional representation of a cross which represents for me my profession in the health care field.

Kilims: Back to Browns

 

This interesting piece of wool is Mahogany. A Prochem dye right out of the jar. I used 1/4 tsp. of Mahogany over 1/2 yard of Dorr natural processed in a Presto Pot in water only enough to cover the wool, and guess what??? I did NOT stir the wool, hence the marvelous mottling. Click on the photo to see the great variation in value and hue. It is a delectable color to use in Kilims.

Kilims: Got The Blues...

 

Check out this gorgeous piece of wool. This blue is so deep and rich.  Click on the photo to see for yourself. It is called Starless Night. It is a formula by Susan Quicksall (deqslq@aol.com) from her dye book Dying For Color. It is an amazing blue for Kilims. This piece is a 1/2 yard of Dorr wool processed in a Presto Pot with only enough water to barely cover the wool and was NOT stirred, hence the beautiful mottling. Try it, you WILL like it!

Kilims: The Colors Continue

 

This awesome piece of wool called Great Beauty is a Wandering formula by Wanda Kerr -http://wandaworksinwiarton.blogspot.com/

Wanda used Majic Carpet Dyes to produce this amazing dyed piece of wool. Check out her blog and look for wandering formulas. Click on the photo to see just how rich this one is. It is a great color to use in Kilim rugs. Remember these wandering woolens are chameleon in nature - they will change up a bit to fit in with your other wool choices quite well.

Kilims: More Colors to Choose

Here is another lovely color from Sharon Townsend's "SPNEA'S Historic Colors of America". It is called Cogswell Cedar. It is a yummy combo of brick, orange, yellow and teal. This piece was dyed over 1/2 yd of Dorr wool in a Presto Pot with shallow water and little to NO stirring. Click on the photo to see the rich mottled effect and loveliness of value.