Mixed-Up Monday: Puce

Puce is a brownish purple color which gained popularity in 18th century France.  It was said to be the favorite color of Marie Antoinette.  Puce is the french word for "flea" and the name "puce" may refer to the color that was left on linens after a flea was smashed, according to Wikipedia.  :)

What you'll need:

gloves

wool: fiber or yarn

acid dye stocks: brown, magenta, black  (how to mix dye stock)

acid: citric or vinegar

dye pot: stainless steel or crock pot

measuring spoons

I'll be using 1 oz bundles of mixed breed wool combed top for each dye pot.

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

Fill the dye pot up with a few inches of water and add 1/2 tsp of citric acid or 1 TB vinegar.

Add 1 TB brown dye stock.

Next, add 1/2 tsp of Magenta dye stock.

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

Cover pot and turn heat to low.  Simmer for about 20 minutes.  Water will be clear when done.

Let cool.

Prepare rinse baths and hang dry.

We've got a pretty shade of puce! 

Variations:

I added only 1/2 of the dye recipe here.

This dye pot is the main recipe with 1/4 tsp of Black dye stock added.

Here I added and 1 extra TB of Brown dye stock to the main recipe.

I doubled the recipe in this batch.  

Have fun and keep on dyeing!

xo

Next on Mixed-Up Monday, 2/22:  Camel

Mixed-Up Monday: Mauve

Is it mahv, or mohv?  I say "mahv" but it seems like fancy people say "mohv".    Either way, it's a gorgeous shade of pink,... or is it lavender?

What you'll need:

gloves

wool: fiber or yarn

acid: citric or vinegar

acid dyes: magenta, yellow, turquoise, brown, black (link for mixing dye stocks)

dye pot: stainless steel or crock pot

measuring spoons

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

Soak these in some room temp tap water until saturated.  It'll help the dye disperse better if the fiber is damp.  

Add 1/2 tsp citric acid (or 2 tsp vinegar) to a dye pot that has enough water to fully submerge the wool.

Add 1 TB (15 ml) of Magenta dye stock to the pot.

Next, ad 1/4 tsp (1 ml) of Turquoise dye stock.

Then add 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) of yellow dye stock to the pot.  Swirl it around to mix the acid and dyes.

Add the damp wool making sure it is completely submerged.

Turn heat to low and cover.  Let this simmer for about 30 minutes.  Water should be clear when done. 

Let cool completely.

Prepare you water baths.   I make up 2, first one with a few drops of  textile detergent or Blue Dawn, and the last one with just plain water.  Hang dry.

Mauve-ulous!

Variations:

Add some extra yellow (1/2 tsp) to warm it up.

Adding extra turquoise (1/2 tsp) turns it to plum.

I added 1/2 tsp brown dye stock to this pot.  It's leaning toward Marsala, just a bit more brown and I would've nail it!

A touch of black (1/2 tsp) darkens and cools it down to plum.

I hope you're inspired to get out your dyepot!

xo

Next on Mixed-Up Monday (4/27):  peach