April 19, 2015 – Resist Dyeing

We met in Phyllis’s back yard. Sandy prepared the indigo pot, making sure the chemical balance was working well to produce this natural blue dye.

Frank had knitted a bag that he was going to felt. But before it was felted, he wanted to dye it in the indigo bath.

The bag and strap were tied in areas where he wanted it to resist the dye.

Although the dye appeared to be weak, he dipped all  pieces four times and got a beautiful dark blue that did not crack off when washed and rinsed in vinegar.

Next he will felt it and we will see the results next month.

knit – dye – felt

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Knit a bag and 16 yards of I-cord (for the strap

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Fold the bag height into 4ths.  Then fold bag width into 3rds.  Clamp center with 2 dowls

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Dye in indigo.

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Wad strap and grab tightly.  Dip into indigo 3 or 40 times.  Dip folded bag 3 or 4 times.

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Unfold bag.

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Soak in vinegar water for 12 hours

Felt in washing machine in very hot water for 15 minutes

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Felted straps

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Add the straps

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Felted bags.