tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71232803753868616.post3130069650009101669..comments2023-10-25T06:20:13.888-06:00Comments on Rebecca Mezoff, Tapestry Artist: The Great Dye Experiment of 2013, Part 2Rebecca Mezoffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16138972934775842473noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71232803753868616.post-6531972534002223462013-04-29T13:05:55.060-06:002013-04-29T13:05:55.060-06:00In natural dyeing, water makes a big difference. ...In natural dyeing, water makes a big difference. Iron is the worst thing. The rest of the minerals just change the color. The sulfur in Pagosa Springs really caused problems with the dyes - had to switch to distilled water for some of the dyes as the sulfur just took them out. I think softener is also available from Dharma. I also have been told that citric acid, at least with natural dyes, should be neutralized with calcium carbonate or the wool will eventually rot. I don't know what happens in the chemical world. Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13647173776442767888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71232803753868616.post-53853025306128521442013-04-29T07:46:03.369-06:002013-04-29T07:46:03.369-06:00Thanks Sherri! I didn't know about the softene...Thanks Sherri! I didn't know about the softener you can add to the dye pot. I'll check into that for sure. I may go back to the WOG percentage of acid. I used to use liquid acetic acid, but it is too hard to find now that people aren't doing as much film photo processing (stop bath), so switched to citric acid which I feel is safer and smells much less. So now a powder which should actually be easier for me to get the amount right.<br /><br />Good point on the "failure skeins" too. Perhaps I should try weaving with them as they are. The color is light and the result might be lovely. :) I just don't want to admit I screwed up when dyeing when my students ask why the yarn is so variegated. I should just say I did it on purpose.Rebecca Mezoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16138972934775842473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71232803753868616.post-7688010253170945662013-04-29T06:49:56.939-06:002013-04-29T06:49:56.939-06:00Yes, water can make a difference. I too have lots ...Yes, water can make a difference. I too have lots of minerals in my well water and no softener. I do have a thingy at the well that oxygenates the water to remove the iron. You can buy pure softener at ProChem and I use an arbitrary percentage in the dye pot. I also use a WOG percentage of acid to start, adding more later if needed. The last dye pot I used several times w/o adding anything. Love it!<br /><br />And I liked your "failure" skeins, but the overdyed ones are pretty too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15754166508704266845noreply@blogger.com