Dying a wool blanket

[Adam Savage]

I was given an old wool blanket, large enough to cover a double bed, the other day. It dates from the 70s, so (as usual) it was blaze orange, not a very bushcrafty colour. I decided to dye it, using a small tin of Dylon number 7 (coffee) to bring the tone down a little. This old stuff posed a problem, as it requires the fabric to be brought to a simmer for 10 minutes. Out came the old wheel barrow, off came the frame, and in went some nuts n bolts to fill the holes. Next, out came the campingaz twin burner and bottle....you can see where this is going can't you?...followed the instructions of the dye, brought the whole lot to a simmer for ten minutes, while stirring, and hey presto...terracotta blanket. Least it's better than bright orange.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/04052011617.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/04052011615.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/04052011616.jpg

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y304/crazysaint22/projects%20and%20equipment/04052011614.jpg

[Ben Casey]

I could of done with you on Ecers for my Dobby LOL

[Adam Savage]

I could of done with you on Ecers for my Dobby LOL

LOL, I will have to try making a curry in it at some point hahaha

[Ben Casey]

Hey wait till I get over then LOL

[Ivan]

Oi !! you better bring that thing to the meet for the stew , i have been looking all over for a 20gal cooking pot , and if that blanket dries out in time bring that n'all

[Adam Savage]

Oi !! you better bring that thing to the meet for the stew , i have been looking all over for a 20gal cooking pot , and if that blanket dries out in time bring that n'all

The blanket dried out the same day, I'm planning on sleeping under it when I build the shelter. I'll have to start a thread of the blanket roll and kit inside it.

[CanadianMike]

THe wool blanket shirt I made was a light grey material, I died it black (trying to get it to be a darkish grey)....................

and it came our purple!!!!!! No matter what I used after (two packs of dye, less water, even tried black waterbased leather dye) it hasn't changed the colour at all!! Now when I wear it I feel like the Joker. :(

Lol

[Adam Savage]

THe wool blanket shirt I made was a light grey material, I died it black (trying to get it to be a darkish grey)....................

and it came our purple!!!!!! No matter what I used after (two packs of dye, less water, even tried black waterbased leather dye) it hasn't changed the colour at all!! Now when I wear it I feel like the Joker. :(

Lol

LOL, you can buy a color stripper over here, that's meant to remove previous dye, Not sure of it works or not though lol.

[Ben Casey]

Bleech it white and start again :D

[Adam Savage]

Bleech it white and start again :D

Dylon won't adhere to bleached areas

[Ben Casey]

Dylon won't adhere to bleached areas

Erm ok what about if he mixed say a lighter colur and got ot black hang on I will google it :)

[Martin]

THe wool blanket shirt I made was a light grey material, I died it black (trying to get it to be a darkish grey)....................

and it came our purple!!!!!! No matter what I used after (two packs of dye, less water, even tried black waterbased leather dye) it hasn't changed the colour at all!! Now when I wear it I feel like the Joker. :(

Lol

Good for clowning around in the wilderness though. :D

Martin

[Ben Casey]

Just found this http://www.codedivasites.com/dyepro/black_&_grey.html :) Hi Martn :D

[Adam Savage]

Just found this http://www.codedivasites.com/dyepro/black_&_grey.html :) Hi Martn :D

Useful link. So tangerine is the way to go. Would other citris fruits work? :p

[Ben Casey]

I prefer strawberries and cream :D

[CanadianMike]

Used the same dye remover brand as the dye, it stayed a medium purple, and after all my dying attempts, it's a dark purple. But in some lights it looks like charcoal gray. Go figure, eh? Blame it on the hollow fibers that wool is made from (and what makes it such a kick ass material!)

[Adam Savage]

Used the same dye remover brand as the dye, it stayed a medium purple, and after all my dying attempts, it's a dark purple. But in some lights it looks like charcoal gray. Go figure, eh? Blame it on the hollow fibers that wool is made from (and what makes it such a kick ass material!)

Long as it does it's job, all is well. Even looking like a jester, least the ladies will be happy to share body heat under a purple throw haha

[Ben Casey]

Long as it does it's job, all is well. Even looking like a jester, least the ladies will be happy to share body heat under a purple throw haha

You could always take the Prince CD with you and play Purple Rain LOL

[Martin]

Or, become the masked bushcrafter and call yourself the Purple Pimpernell??

Martin

[CanadianMike]

Lol!!!

[Martin]

It's no good. We need pictures of this purple cloak. Complete with mask please Mike. ;)

Martin

[Adam Savage]

It's no good. We need pictures of this purple cloak. Complete with mask please Mike. ;)

Martin

I fear someone might be showing some kind of hidden...erm...interests, in this thread...LOL

[CanadianMike]

Lol, well, I could dig it out of the closet and take a pic of it's purpleness, but I won't be getting much chance to wear it til we get out camping for a weekend.

[Ben Casey]

Lol, well, I could dig it out of the closet and take a pic of it's purpleness, but I won't be getting much chance to wear it til we get out camping for a weekend.

Come on mate get dressed up for us :D

[CanadianMike]

Nah, fake pics like that drive me nuts, reminds me of a lot of airsofters that'll get dressed up with their fancy gear, guns, and pose in front of the bathroom mirror. Lol, I'd rather just have random pics taken of me instead of me standing there looking like a fool taking a pic of myself. :)

[Ben Casey]

Shame on you :(

[Norseman]

I dont know if Your orange blanket shrinked, but for those of You who wants to try, the recipy for coloring is to heat it slowly until boiling , then slowly cool it again. Those Dylon people say that make shrinkage less likely. Just a little info.

[Adam Savage]

I dont know if Your orange blanket shrinked, but for those of You who wants to try, the recipy for coloring is to heat it slowly until boiling , then slowly cool it again. Those Dylon people say that make shrinkage less likely. Just a little info.

Luckily the size of the blanket and the method I used to heat it, meant the temperature rise was very slow. I also let it dry completely naturally too, so didn't get any shrinkage. Thanks for the info Norseman. Would imagine it's completely correct, but as I have never tried a fast method, couldn't say 100%. It makes sense though, as most wool shrinks if you get it too hot, too quickly.

Adam

[bikebum1975]

Cool idea did you ever get the thread with your gear done?


If I recall I do believe bleach and wool is a no no

[Adam Savage]

I'll start a thread soon, with the hole blanket roll setup. I need to make a video for youtube anyway, I just forgot completely about it until recently lol.

I've heard bleach isn't great for a lot of fabrics, but wool is probably the worst to try it with :)

[bikebum1975]

I'll start a thread soon, with the hole blanket roll setup. I need to make a video for youtube anyway, I just forgot completely about it until recently lol.

I've heard bleach isn't great for a lot of fabrics, but wool is probably the worst to try it with :)



Cool look forward to it Cheers