Saturday, December 29, 2012

Hook'n and Dye'n

This morning I planned my day while making my coffee.  I was definitely going to pull some loops on my Lions in the Woods, draw out a Frost Sheep pattern AND use up some already mixed dyes.  In the past there were a few times there was more liquid left over than the wool required so kept them in jars in the garage with the name of the recipe on top.  There must have been maybe 6 jars but I only used two colors today. 

One color was called Hooker's Gold and is in a Barb Carroll book entitled American Folk Art Rug Hooking.  Sheesh, I can't remember how many years ago I used this recipe but figured it was time to use them up or throw them away.  And mama told me to waste not want not.

These are the wools used and there is approximately 1/2 yard total of all the wool and used approx 8 tablespoons (all there was) of the Hooker's Gold dye.  I started out using 4 tablepoons but when the water was almost clear it was obvious it was not making much of an impression so dumped the other 4 tablespoons in the pot and stirred.
 
This is the result of the dye job.  And unfortunately they are put out of order but think you can tell which piece of wool relates to the two pictures.  And the flash makes both of these pictures appear brighter but must admit that I will use the bottom wool before I'd use the above wool.
When looking at the names of the dyes on top of the lid also chose one called "Warm Sky", it is from the dye book Beautiful Wool by Laurice Heath.  Much to my surprise when I looked inside the jar everything had dried up.  It even looked like salt in the bottom of the jar.  But when I put water in the jar it came to life again.  I do not know why this happened but when the water was added it came back to it's strong intensity.


This is the wool I started with and there is approximately half a yard there.
This is the result of the dye and OMG, I only used 2 tablespoons of the dye and have more blue left ~ more than 2 tablespoons; so it was a highly concentrated dye for sure.
With the dye left think I'll pull a little more wool like that lighter wool and other light colored wool.  I'd really like to use this up before it crystallizes again and make use of wool which needs color and then I can bind them together with the different textures with a name tag they were in the same family.
 
Don't know about you guys who dye, but there is something about warm wool and vinegar which I like.  But when I was married to my ex, he would come in the house and ask me, "what stinks?"  And me?  I like that smell.  I do use citric acid sometimes but today just felt like having that nice aroma in the kitchen.
 
And now for the hook'n part.  Sorry if it is too boring to continually see updates on my Lions in the Woods rug but this is what it looks like now.
 
One other change I made was in the red tail in the lion on the right.  My teacher suggested using red since I was using it as the border and in the pennies so for that lion the red for the border trim is what was used and I thought it looked too bright.  So pulled it out and put in a little darker wool with red in it.
 
Hope to post more before the new year and also hope to post more in 2013 than I did this year.
 
Happy Holidays everyone and please have a safe New Year.
 
Saundra




12 comments:

  1. Saundra, I really like reading about the combinations of wool & dye you use, it's very intriguing to see how they come out! I love the way the borders of the lion rug is coming together. I like the darker red, but liked the brighter too, red of any kind is a favorite of mine.
    Hope you & Ben have a very Happy New Year.

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  2. Saundra - I agree with you about the smell of wet wool & vinegar - I LIKE it! My family, of course, doesn't - so I rarely use it if they're going to be around. After all, citric acid does the same thing...... love seeing all the updates on your rug - I haven't pulled a loop in ages! (sigh)

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  3. Not boring at all. I like reading about progress and the thoughts put into projects. And OMG that blue turned out SOO purty. When I get bigger I hope to own some Cushings dyes someday :)

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  4. I love how your wools came out and that rug is stunning !! I've been working on a simple church rug, and I have been marrying my wools....Not sure I like the color planning I did on this one...too blah...trial and error I guess....lol
    Love watching your progress Miz Talented !!
    Robin

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  5. Saundra, Some day I will get brave enough to dye my own wool. The golds that you dyed are GORGEOUS! Some of my favorite colors. ~Ann

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  6. Saundra ~
    I am never bored seeing the progress on your rugs and your thought process. We all learn so much from you. I really like the before and afters of your wool, too. One of these days I am going to make the time to dye!!!
    Still no hookin' time today. Worked and then had Christmas with Jake. I'm betting it's back to work again tomorrow :(
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  7. your rug is coming along wonderful.
    In the new year besides losing 20 lbs and reading all the classics ha
    I would like to dye more. I dye very little and really should do more of it.
    Cathy

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  8. I enjoy seeing he progress on your rugs!Sounds like you had a fun day,something magical about dyeing.Love how the wools came out,stunning. Hugs,Jen

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  9. Your rug is coming along beautifully.
    The wool is gorgeous. I always have a warm cozy feeling when the wool is dyed and neatly folded on the table in stacks for use ! ;)
    Rose

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  10. I enjoy your posts and especially the before and afters... Your rug is going to be fabulous.. just my personal opinion - and it wasn't asked for -so you can ignore --- I don't care for the red in the lions tails and manes.I would use a darker gold or a brown. just one opinion.

    Thanks for sharing

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  11. Saundra I love seeing your progress pictures. Love to see it come alive! And that hooker's gold color is beautiful!!! I really love the golds. I don't use too much blue unless I'm hooking something patriotic but the blues came out gorgeous too. I love to dye "boring" wools and see how great they come out. To me there is no ugly wool, you can always change it into something beautiful!!! Happy New Year to you and Ben!!!

    hugs
    cyndi

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  12. I like the process as much as the finished part.It is interesting to hear about how you make the choices you do on a rug. I always learn something.Hugs Cheri

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Thanks for taking the time to visit and I always welcome comments.