Old/New Rug on the Frame

Big Dog didn't get done today because I dyed some wool to tone it down for the next hooking project.  So it appears that the new design will be started sometime tomorrow after I finish pulling the last few loops on Big Dog and steam it.

You're all wondering what my next project will be and I've given some hints in the past but if you are like me that desire could change in a heartbeat.  But, the desire has stuck with me and this is what I'm starting tomorrow.  I'm calling it Red Bird of Pennsylvania since that is where is was hooked and/or discovered.

                                                                      

The antique rug is hooked with cotton and wool, was hooked early 20th Century and measures 21" x 39".  That was a smidgen bigger than I wanted to hook so mine will measure 18" x 35".  Eventually, when able to update my web site I'll post this design for sale there but that won't happen until sometime in May when I get the computer situation rectified.  Meanwhile, if anyone would like to join me and hook this design the same time I am, the pattern would be drawn on Dorr Natural Primitive linen with the measurements of 18 x 35 for $65 plus shipping.

So now to the dyed wool......Lucille Festa told me what she does to tone down color in wool and thought I'd try it on the cream for the rug.  She suggested putting 1/4 teaspoon of Cushings light brown dye in 1 CBW and then use a tablespoon at a time in the pot until you get what you desire.  The off the bolt washed wool is on the right and the slightly toned down wool is on the left.  There isn't a whole lot of difference but suits me just fine and I'll cut some strips of the lighter as well and mix them up in the bag and pull at random.

Since I didn't really want to darken the wool much, but did hope for a little mottled wool here, I only used 2 tablespoons of dye solution in a pot with about half a yard of wool.  So if I need more wool or want to tone down something else later there is more solution already mixed up.

Enjoy your weekend and come back to check on the progress on my new rug IF indeed it does get started tomorrow as hoped.

Saundra