Comments on: How to Wash and Dye Wool

By: Dee T

Dee T — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:27:38 +0000

I can’t wait to try the Romano. Not sure I can stand to wait a whole year before tasting it. At my age (old) a year is uncertain.

You are a clever young woman. I love that you are experimenting with all the different things that I did in my youth.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. They look just wonderful.

By: M

Sat, 23 May 2009 21:00:24 +0000

For those interested in dyeing instructions …. Google “Paula Burch hand dyed”

link:
http://www.pburch.net/dyeing.shtml

Paula has a number of pages of instructions.

Silk and wool are proteins that are dyed with acid type dyes and vinegar is needed to get the dye molecules to adhere. Silk works a bit different than wool … read thru her site it is very helpful.

Do take note that she also includes instructions for cotton and linen … which DO NOT necessarily use food safe dyes.

By: Laughing Orca Ranch

Laughing Orca Ranch — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:56:12 +0000

Thanks for this fun and very simple-sounding tutorial. I really appreciate. I learned to spin last year and can’t wait to process the wool I recently harvested from my llamas, sheep and angora goat.
Do you have some clever combination colors for the kool-aid, too? How about dying with flowers and herbs?

~Lisa

By: Claudia W.

Claudia W. — Sat, 23 May 2009 00:08:08 +0000

That’s some pretty stuff. I am amazed at all I have learned from you! Thank you!

By: Sheryl - Runningtrails

Sheryl - Runningtrails — Fri, 22 May 2009 23:08:44 +0000

Love that Tropical Punch coloring! Really, really gorgeous! You did such a good job. Looks like fun too. I would one day like to have a couple of sheep, some angora rabbits and cashmere goats.

By: Lola-Dawn

Lola-Dawn — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:47:34 +0000

What a talented team you and your sheep are! I really wish I could fondle … er … handle that Cotswold fleece. My favorite hand knit socks are from wool dyed with 3 different Koolaid flavours. They have faded a bit over 4 winters, but not as much as I expected. Of course, I don’t leave my feet sitting around in the sun during the winter …

By: LauraP

LauraP — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:41:20 +0000

Sounds like you’re off to a happy start with the fiber addition — and you’ve probably already figured out just how addicting the fiber arts can be.

Elcie is so right, too, about bagging the wool for the spin out in the washer. The wool that escapes with the dirty water can really goof up the parts and leave you with hefty repair bills.

By: The Retired One

The Retired One — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:32:08 +0000

Looks like a wig (Lucille Ball’s) hanging on the fence!

By: Elcie

Elcie — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:55:43 +0000

You should note that the most important thing about using the washer to spin out water is to put the fleece in some kind of bag – a pillowcase with the top tied closed or a lingerie bag, for example. You should avoid the mesh laundry bags unless they’re a fine mesh – those cheap ones at Walmart have holes that are too large and a lot of fiber gets out, which can really damage your washer machine.

By: IowaCowgirl

IowaCowgirl — Fri, 22 May 2009 15:06:07 +0000

Awesome and beautiful.

I wish you would take up weaving next, as I want to learn how…