Today is the day that most folks are dyeing Easter eggs. When you walk into my kitchen, you smell that familiar vinegar and simmering water, but if you peek in the pots on the stove, you won't find eggs! Overdyeing wool -- that's what I am up to today. The other day, I dyed some wonderful soft spring colors (not my usual deep primitive shades) to use in my hooked Easter basket wrap. I used one of my favorite Longaberger baskets and created a tie-on wrap to convert it to a basket I can use on my Easter table. See the pic?
So, what's the attraction in overdyeing wool? Why don't I just buy the color I want to begin with? Truth is, you just can't always find the exact color you need, or you have found some great bargains on recycled woolens at the local thrift shop but they aren't the colors you need either. You have several red wools that you want to use in the same piece, but they really don't coordinate as well as you'd like. So in all these cases, you can get out the dyes and change them! If you have not tried overdyeing, don't wait any longer. It's simple to do, just a bit time consuming, but oh so worth the effort. Here's the basics ( you can find these same steps but with photos to further explain the process, on my web site here:) How To Overdye Wool
IMPORTANT CAUTION: Only use these tools for dying -- do not use again for food preparation.
Dye Pot (Enamel or Stainless Steel)
Dyes for Wool
Dye Recipes
Wool
Synthropol or Other Wetting Agent (I use Jet Dry for dishwashers)
Glass Jars
Measuring Spoons 1/32 tsp up to 1 teaspoon
Glass Measuring Cups
Tongs & Plastic Fork
Rubber Gloves
White Paper Towels
Uniodized Salt
White Vinegar
Protective Covering for Your Work Surface
Just a note here about my favorite pots -- I use an old enamelware pot to soak my wool and I use both stainless steel and enamelware to dye in. My enamelware pot is an old slop pot I bought at an antique shop (don't pay over $20.00 for these -- not worth more than that). I like it because it has a lid and a sturdy bail handle. My larger pot is stainless steel and I love it too because I can dye a lot of wool at one time in it -- it is 20 quarts.
Step 6 - Rinse the Wool
You can also just turn off the fire under the pot and allow the wool to cool in the dye pot overnight. I usually can't wait that long to see the wool!
So, go ahead and give overdyeing a try. Next time, I'll tell you how to change the color of wool without dye--too cool!
***Happy Hooking and Happy Easter***