Challenge in the Dye Pot

Win some lose some; this time I lost.  Since I'm not an expert dyer who can dye by eye and know how to manipulate recipes, the project didn't turn out as I'd hoped.  Unfortunately that is what usually occurs when there is a specific color wanted.  However, the wool will be used and I'm glad it is toned down some.  The wool on the left side is what I started with and the wools on the right side were the result of using 5 tablespoons of Silo Silver recipe from Vermont Folk Art dye booklet.

Last year I took some of that Scottish wool to Woolley Fox and Barb loved it.  She told me to send a sample to Betsy for her to have it milled.  Barb said it had a real old 'rag' look to it which would give age to a rug.  It was used in my Lion and Trees rug (below) in  a few places.  Since the light threads stood out I'm sure the over dyed wool will be even better to use now. 

But it won't be used for the project I had in mind because I was trying to replicate the color of the other wool to be used as a background.  There just may be enough background wool but it is a better comfort level if you know there is more than enough to do the entire background. 

There are factors which alter the results of a dye project ~ well water will produce a different result that city water.  Locality has an influence as does whether it is a drought or rainy season.  So even tho one may have a wool sample and recipe to go by, you may or may not get the same results depending on your water.

I'm envious of you who can manipulate wool color during the dye process.  My friend Lynne Fowler is one of those people.  And frankly I'm not sure that even if I dyed wool every day that I'd be able to do add a spec or two of another dye to turn the wool to the color desired. 

Oh Deer is just about finished then I'll finish Henny Penny.  What's on your frame?

Have a great weekend.

Saundra