Mixed-Up Monday: Violet

 The color of today's Mixed-Up Monday is violet.  My interpretation of violet always goes back to my florist days and the Africa Violet flower.   The color is a saturated mix of royal blue and purple.

What you'll need:

Gloves
Wool or yarn: animal based fibers
Acid: citric acid or vinegar
Dyestocks: turquoise, yellow, magenta, black, and brown
Dyepot: stainless steel or enamel crock pot

I'm dyeing up 1 oz bundles of mixed breed wool combed top.   You'll need to adjust this recipe if you are dyeing a different amount.  

Gather up your wool or yarn and soak in room temp tap water until saturated. 

Fill your dyepot with a few inches of water and add 1/2 tsp citric acid or 2 tsp vinegar.

Add 1 TB (15 ml) of turquoise dye stock solution.

Next, add 2 tsp (10 ml) of magenta dye stock.

Add the damp wool to the pot making sure it is completely submerged.  

Cover and turn on low.  

Simmer for about 30 minutes then check to see if dye has exhausted.  

Let cool.   

If dye has not exhausted, you can continue to simmer checking every 5 minutes or so.  Extra acid may be needed to fully exhaust.  I usually add about 1/4 tsp more of citric if the dye is being stubborn.

We've got a nice saturated violet, just like the flower. 

Variations:

Add 1 tsp of yellow dye stock to soften the color.

 Adding 1 TB of brown dye stock will warm it up to a raisin color.

If you add 1 tsp of black dye stock,  you'll darken it and cool it down leaning toward navy blue.

I hope I'm inspiring you to get your dyepots out!  

XO

Next on Mixed-Up Monday: Reds