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Monkey see,
Posted on | July 17, 2008 | 16 Comments
Monkey do, apparently. Last week, Maryse posted a tutorial on jar dyeing. Now, I’ve dyed in Mason jars before, but I used dye already dissolved in water, not sprinkled on the fiber and then steamed. So of course I had to try it.
I got old school with it, using an enameled pot and a huge blue Mason jar.
The results are just okay. One end of the fiber is a lot darker than the other, but I can even out the colors when I spin it. I used superwash wool and it really soaked up the dye, so I didn’t get the cool color blending that Maryse did, but the method was easy and pretty much fuss-free, so I’ll definitely be trying this again with non-superwash wool.
Also, I just have to ask:
Do you convert your dining room into your fiber studio too? I try, I really do, to keep all my tools and STUFF in the bedroom, but it really wants to take over the dining room. It feels at home there and well, it’s the least used room in the house! Or it would be, if I didn’t use it for fibery things. Maybe soon I’ll break out the china so I can remember why we actually HAVE a dining room!
Comments
16 Responses to “Monkey see,”
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July 17th, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
Yeah, I take over the dining area. I also have a folding cutting table that lives in the kitchen as extra counter space (usually folded down), and my swift and ballwinder live there. Our dining area isn’t formal, so it’s kinda connected to the living room, and is the most convenient place to engage in fibery pursuits while still being part of the family action.
July 17th, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
Our house is a three bed from and that means one for us, one for him and one for me. Mine is a fiber studio/junque room. The swift and ball winder are always at the ready. The attached bathroom could be a dyeing room, but I think Smith would draw the line at that and my guest may not like bathing in sink or tub that was permanently dyed. Too bad that.
July 17th, 2008 @ 9:21 pm
At least your diningroom table is still in the room. I turned my kitchen table into a headboard for my bedroom so I could put up folding tables for a studio. :-) I love how your roving turned out. It will be so pretty when it’s spun up. Isn’t dyeing fun?!
July 18th, 2008 @ 6:01 am
i think your roving looks great! i need to buy more dye. 3 colors is just too limiting. right now my dining room table has a gas powered remote control helicopter on it. yeah, not mine.
July 18th, 2008 @ 9:32 am
that’s a new-to-me and interesting dyeing technique using mason jars. i can’t wait to see how it spins up. have you any idea? i’m sure you do. bet you look at roving and make that translation in an instant. i can’t. actually, my dining room table is filled with sewing machines and fabric and projects–sewing/quilting related. i’m usually pretty good about keeping my knitting projects contained.
July 18th, 2008 @ 10:29 am
Your results from the dye pot look great! Have you started spinning any up yet?
Dining room?? yep.
Living room?? yep.
Bedroom…well, just a little….
July 18th, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
The dye-powder-sprinkle method works pretty well in a crock pot too….
July 18th, 2008 @ 3:46 pm
Your dining room chair looks very much like the set we used to have. The table was a Dutch leaf, where the extra leaves drop down and slide under the ends of the table when not in use. When we got a new dining room set (solid rosewood! from China!) ours went to my newly-married cousin’s house, where it is still in use.
Looking forward to seeing what that sprinkle-dyed fiber looks like after you spin it.
July 19th, 2008 @ 6:30 am
Love the dyeing – can’t wait to see how it spins up.
July 20th, 2008 @ 11:37 am
Until I find a better space in the house, the dining room is my dye studio.
July 21st, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
Dining room??? Nah…..don’t need…now a FIBER STUDIO is a GREAT idea!!!
Looks like a lot of fun dying!!!
July 21st, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
If my dining room table wasn’t covered in mail and clutter I would consider it.
July 22nd, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
Your dyed fiber looks gorgeous. And yep, my dining room looks like the LYS, but my bedroom is almost clear of fiber. :o)
July 24th, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
What?? Yarn and accessories don’t go on the dining room table??? When did that start?
July 26th, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Snerk. I’m a bit late to the party, but – dining room table? What is that? I know I’ve heard rumors that such things exist, but I’m fairly certain it must be a myth. The dining room is for fiber prep only.
Although, I never thought to wonder what all of the fiber is sitting on top of…. :)
July 27th, 2008 @ 7:33 am
Ooh that looks like fun.
Hey! Half my home is converted into a fibre studio/storage unit!
Love the pic – your son walking by is a great element.