Dyeing Wool Fleece

 

   Dyeing the wool right after it has been washed can make for some interesting effects. It kind of has a mottled look when several colors are used and then subsequently blended in the water as they simmer.
     This makes for my favorite felting affects because the colors are naturally blended really well. Every time, the end product is unique!

      The supplies are simple and familiar.

• food coloring
• vinegar
• pot and water
•  washed fleece (about as much that can comfortably fit in your pot without being compressed.)

  

 First soak your wool in warm water for about 20 minutes to an hour.

  Then put about three parts water to one part vinegar in your pot. Add your wool.

   Turn your stove on to medium so as to bring the pot to a slow simmer.

    Now comes the fun! Drop in your dye and allow the colors to blend by themselves. This is a good place to experiment with colors and shades until you get the desired effects. If the wool does not sink and submerge the dye, simply push the wool down gently with a fork. Simmer for 45 minutes.

           Once done, rinse in warm water without felting it. (No friction. Just run it under the water and squeeze it gently dry.) Then let it dry on rack or somewhere it can drain.

            Another fun technique is to make stipes in white roving. Presoak the part of the wool you will be dying and then simmer that part in the dye on the stove.

     Take it off the stove to cool and squeeze out the excess water in the roving.  Then repeat the procedure with the next color.

             In this case, I am going to repeat the procedure one more time. When my roving is completely dyed I will rinse it off in warm water to take off any extra dye and then let it dry!

                                                      

         Food coloring is safe to work with and easy to use. It won't stand up to soap and washing or soaking in hot water. So, it is best to use these beautiful colors on things that won't require washing. We use these bright colors in needle felting cute ornaments or doo-dads. 

         Here we have two snowmen faces started! Needle felting is fun and easy and so portable! We should dig into what its like some of these days.