Mixed-Up Monday: Khaki

Khaki.  Is it a style of clothing or a color?  It's both! It has been used as a color name since 1848 when it was first introduced as a military uniform, and was called both drab and khaki.  A khaki uniform is often referred to as "khakis".

What you'll need:

gloves

wool: fiber or yarn

acid: citric or vinegar

acid dyes: yellow, brown, black  (optional: magenta and turquoise).  Dye stock mixing tutorial here.

dye pot: stainless steel or crockpot

measuring spoons

I'm using 1 oz bundles of mixed breed wool combed top for each color.

Gather the wool and soak in some room temp tap water until saturated.

Add a few inches of water to the dye pot along with 1/2 tsp citric acid (or 2 tsp of vinegar) for 1 oz of fiber.

Measure 1/2 tsp of Yellow dye stock  and add to pot.

Next, add 1/4 tsp of Brown dye stock.

Then add 1/8 tsp of Black dye stock, it's just about 10 drops.

Add the damp wool making sure it is fully submerged.  Cover pot and turn heat to low.

Simmer for about 20 minutes or until dye has exhausted.  Water will be clear.

Let cool.   

For rinsing, I like to prepare 2 baths.  One with a few drop of textile detergent (or Blue Dawn), the other just plain tap water.  Let wool soak in each one for a few minutes.  Hang dry or flat.

You've got khaki!  Give yourself a salute. :)

Variations:

Add 1/8 tsp of Magenta to main recipe to warm it up.

Here I added an extra 1/8 tsp of black to make it lean toward green.

Adding 1/8 tsp of turquoise dye stock to the main recipe makes it more of an army green.

HOOAH!

xo

Next on Mixed-Up Monday, 8/17: Periwinkle