Friday, December 09, 2016

~ Into the Frying Pan ~


Hello Friends & Folk!

brrrrr.....
stoking up the woodstoves 
and keeping my hands busy to stay warm here today 
I love cold weather ~ and can't wait until our first snowfall!
❄ ❅ ❆ ❅ ❄
 
 I've been hooking on this rug for the last couple of days
in  between shipping orders and decorating/cleaning ~

my progress is slow thus far, 
as I might not like the background wools that I've hooked already...
but, I won't reverse-hook them out...
instead, I'll leave them and overdye some wools that I have.


the wools below are too grey/blue for me, 
so I will put all of the wools I've previously used for the background {above} 
~ plus a few more and overdye them with black walnut dye



into the pot they go
to saturate them ~ along with a squirt of dish soap...




 once the wool pieces are saturated, 
I pile them into one of my electric frying pans
then pour the black walnut dye over the top of them...
cover & set on 'simmer' for about 30 minutes or so.




... while waiting for the wool to 'cook' 
I noticed our rogue-rooster and lone-guinea hen outside foraging under the kitchen window
where the remainders of this past summer's garden and spent sunflower heads are tossed...
~ they are best friends and hang out with each other constantly!
  ♡



once the wool has simmered, 
I add a glug or two of white vinegar to set the dye... 
then let it cool off before washing it in the machine and fluffing it in the dryer ~

I really like the colors now,
and will show more progress on the rug later on ~

have you ever dyed wool using an electric frying pan?
it's easy-peasy and quick to clean up too.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰




 FINALLY received the back-order of threads for the PPNC {Punch Needle Club} kits!
a batch has shipped this morning, and the last batch will ship tomorrow or Monday morning.
we apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your kind patience

Blessings from the Farm ~
 Peter & Lori

9 comments:

The Eveningstitcher said...

Love your overdyed wool...I have never used an electric skillet...but I have used a Presto Deep Fryer. I'm not much of a wool dyer....but it's nice to have the know how!! We got some snow yesterday...but also icey roads. We have a winter storm warning tomorrow...I love the snow too!! Have nice day, Lori!

Anonymous said...

Will woolly wonders never cease! Over dyeing in a frying pan! Your wool turned out darker and richer…It's not snowing here, but it is cold…hasn't gotten above the 30s all day!

Jacqueline said...

Loved the info on the pan dying. Thanks.

For some reason your last two blogs have come thru with a very dark background. It makes it hard to read. Is there something I can do to change it to something lighter?

Rugs and Pugs said...

Not a fan of cold or snow 😢
I've never dyed using a fry pan. I'll have to add that to the list of things to try...after I find a pan.
Merry Christmas 🎄🎄🎄

gracie said...

Your wool and "stuff" re always beautiful, thank you for sharing how you accomplish them.

elaine allerton said...

Your mat looks interesting, ,,, the wools look great , too,,,, I have used one a few years ago,,,, its in the basement,,, not used for years,,, may give it a try again,,,,
Looking forward to gettjng my new punch needle,,,, excited!! Take care, lori,,

Winnie said...

Wow, Lori, I always wondered how you got such great wool colors. Thank-you for sharing how you have devised this process as it is a bit complicated for someone like me who is new to all of this craft. Your finished product is beautiful and I can't wait to see what you end up making with these rich and warm colors.

I too remember the exciting cold of December days in Virginia in Charlottesville which is not far from you. And yes, we did have a few white Christmases so it is totally possible. Even without snow, there is something magical about the December sunsets and sunrises in the crisp cold weather in this area of the state. The deep oranges and reds highlight the black bare branches and old white farmhouses in the rolling hills outside the cities. Combined with the smell of woodsmoke in the air and the crunch under foot of the heavy frost, December is perfect for inspiring that holiday energy. Will you enjoy some of that for me? Here in north Florida, we are supposed to be back up to 80 degrees come Monday!

moosecraft said...

Beautiful "new" woollies! :-)

Carole Zuzik said...

Hi, Lori! I love your Notforgotten Farm hooked rug, but I don't hook. Would it be possible for you to adapt that to a cross stitch or punchneedle pattern?