The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: SmallTimeSmallholder on December 06, 2012, 11:09:27 am

Title: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: SmallTimeSmallholder on December 06, 2012, 11:09:27 am
My husband has gone to work and is away over night with his works Christmas party. I can fill up the kitchen with wool and dye to my hearts content with not a word of complaint  ;D  Yipee  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Bionic on December 06, 2012, 11:52:16 am
Sounds good to me  :thumbsup:
Please post some piccies when you have finished.
Sally
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: SmallTimeSmallholder on December 07, 2012, 12:47:31 pm
Here is what I managed to do  :D
I tried some multi dyeing for the first time. I am quite pleased with the results. Now to find some time for spinning it  ;)
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: jaykay on December 07, 2012, 01:19:25 pm
That's all very pretty  :thumbsup: I shall be interested to see how it spins up  :)
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Bionic on December 07, 2012, 01:44:28 pm
Love it  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Dans on December 07, 2012, 07:48:57 pm
Beautiful. Were these acid dyes?

Dans
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: SmallTimeSmallholder on December 07, 2012, 08:19:37 pm
Hi Dans,
Yes, they were acid dyes. The photo doesn't really do it justice. I used Disco Pink (who could refuse that?!) and the multi dye was an area each of Marine Blue, Moss Green and Turquoise.
Can't wait to get carding and spinning  :)
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Dans on December 07, 2012, 08:27:50 pm
Do you need to dye pre carding or spinning or can you dye once carded or once spun?

Dans
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on December 07, 2012, 10:43:28 pm
Looks good.

And I'm relieved it is that sort of dyeing you have time for.   :roflanim:
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Bionic on December 08, 2012, 07:54:11 am
Dans,
I have been spinning some Romney fleece and hopefully this week will try dyeing it. My intention is to have a mix if colours by sprinkling different acid dye on the yarn. If I get round to it I will post pics of the results.
Sally
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: SallyintNorth on December 08, 2012, 09:23:33 am
I used Disco Pink (who could refuse that?!) and the multi dye was an area each of Marine Blue, Moss Green and Turquoise.

It looks great  :thumbsup:, I shall be very interested to see what you do with it  :)

Just a tip - an experienced Raveller warned me that Turquoise needs a bit more fixing that other colours, so recommended a vinegar wash first before any other washing. ;)  Now, when I use turquoise in the mix, I give it a generous sploosh of vinegar in the first rinse, so it's ready to go once dried. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: SallyintNorth on December 08, 2012, 09:30:18 am
Do you need to dye pre carding or spinning or can you dye once carded or once spun?

I think you can dye when it suits you, but the optimum techniques may differ. 

Stove-top rainbow-dyeing works best on raw, unwashed fleece - the colours mix and melt better when there's some lanolin there, but it will dye anything. 

A friend does a lot of microwave dyeing; we've been experimenting with dyeing tops, finished yarn and finished (knitted) items - all have dyed fine, and a completely different effect to the stove-top dyeing.

The dyers who sell their beautiful colourways on Etsy and so on paint the colour onto tops, I think - that's a whole new area I haven't even opened the book on yet. ;)

I just bought myself an eBook on Dyeing in the Kitchen in Interweave's Countdown to Christmas Sale, and some more acid dyes in an eBay seller's closing down sale, so I think 2013 is set to be a colourful year!   :D
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: SmallTimeSmallholder on January 01, 2013, 04:38:02 pm
Well, it's taken a while but here's the spun results. The pink I carded with red and natural fleece and single spun. I'm using it to make a hat for my 2 year old (she's too young to complain!)  ;)
The mixed dyed I have spun and plied in the traditional manner. I'm thinking if socks.... Or maybe gloves...... A bag..... How do you ever decide?!  :D

Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Bionic on January 01, 2013, 04:51:47 pm
STS they are very nice. The mixed dye balls look similar in texture to my own spinning. I would love to make socks from my own yarn but I think mine would be a bit thick for that.
Sally
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: SallyintNorth on January 01, 2013, 06:28:19 pm
Sts they look fab  :thumbsup:   Love that pink!

Sally, thinner and more consistent will come in time - just keep spinning! :excited: :knit:

I started knitting a work jumper when my spinning looked a lot like Sts' grey balls.  I spin a much more consistent yarn now, but in truth you wouldn't really see the difference in the jumper unless you looked really close.

I do agree, though, Sally, that it's best to get your yarn fairly consistent - and, importantly, consistently strong, before making socks.  They get so much hard wear, you wouldn't want them to only last a few outings!
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on January 01, 2013, 10:30:30 pm
STS those are gorgeous.  I love the pink and it's not a colour I normally like.
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: SmallTimeSmallholder on January 01, 2013, 10:34:20 pm
Thank you  :eyelashes:  I'm really pleased although still at the early/ learning/ experimental stage
Title: Re: At last, some time for dyeing!!!
Post by: Bionic on January 02, 2013, 10:30:46 am
Thank you  :eyelashes:  I'm really pleased although still at the early/ learning/ experimental stage
Don't you just love it. I am still experimenting too. So far have done some stove top dyeing with natural dyes and some oven and microwave dyeing with acid dyes. Its a revelation when you get a lovely colour.
Sally