First Casserole

 

Casserole Dyed Wool

 After watching Sandra Brown casserole dye some beautiful wool in her video, I wanted to give it a try.  The wool I used was heavy....my intention is to use these in an applique treatment.  The colors are somewhat warmer than they appear in the photos.


The red wool is for flower petals.  I started with pieces of creamy white wool soaked in warm water and Dawn detergent.  After placing one piece of the soaked wool flat in the dyeing pan, I used a spoon to spread the dye.  I dyed about half of the piece and down both sides with Cardinal by Cushing.  I then dyed across the top with Cushing's Blue.  I layered the next piece on top of the first and repeated the dyeing process.  After layering six pieces of wool, I added white vinegar around the edges of the pan (not on the wool), finished processing, and washed and dried the wool. I liked the results, but expected the bottom layers to be much different....much darker.


The six pieces of green are intended for leaves, and I started with a dull gold wool.  These pieces were dyed in the same manner, but I had more difficulty getting a color I liked.  I dyed across the top and down the sides with Cushing Blue, thinking I'd get a blue green.  The result was much too blue.  I took the pieces out of the dye pan and redyed them with Dark Green.....still too blue.  The final dyeing was done with Cushing Bronze Green and I was satisfied with that....they are a more yellow green than they appear.


To help with color, I've just ordered Pearl McGown's book Color in Hooked Rugs (It's Pearl's 1954 explanation of color theory).  A friend showed me her copy and offered to loan it, but after reading a bit I decided this was one of those books that I need to make pencil notes in the margin. On the dust jacket it says, "Here is a book, based on a Correspondence Course on Color, conducted by Pearl K. McGown, that has been long awaited by hook-craftsmen all over the world. It will be of equal interest to anyone who is dealing with color in any phase....Mrs. McGown explains the law and order of color, in accordance with the Munsell system.... Color is very important in this craft....The rugs which are made today will become heirlooms for our children's children. They should, therefore, show progress in color...." I'll let you know what I learn.