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DROP SPINDLES
*Types of Drop Spindles
How To Make A Drop Spindle
Making Yarn With A Drop Spindle 

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Parts Of The Spinning Wheel
*How The Spinning Wheel Works
* Adjusting The Wheel's Tension
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HANDSPINNING TECHNIQUES
Preparing To Spin 
Basic Handspinning Techniques 
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*Making A Skein With A Niddy Noddy
* "Setting In The Twist" Of Handspun Yarn
*Navajo Plying 

FIBER INFORMATION
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Wool 

WOOL PREPARATION
How to Wash Your Fleece
How to Use Hand Carders 
How to Use a Drum Carder
How to Use Dutch Combs
How to Use Mini-Combs
Using a Diz

DYEING INFORMATION
Natural Dyes
Natural Plant Dyeing
Mordants
Natural Dyeing: Helpful Tips
Dyeing with Gaywool Dyes

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SPINNING GUILDS



Dyeing with Gaywool Dyes

This dye is formulated specifically for raw or spun wool. The formulation includes the mordant and dyebath acidifier and thus includes all that is necessary to produce true to type color fast dyeing.

INSTRUCTIONS:
All dyeing of handspun wool should be done in skeins tied loosely in at least 4 places. It is also essential that they have been washed in a normal laundry detergent to sufficiently remove all traces of grease. The rate is one level plastic cap full per 4 oz of wool.

You need a container suitable for heating and large enough to cover the wool with water. The exact quantity of water is not important but should be sufficient to turn the wool over while dyeing is taking place. for every 4oz of wool add 1 level cap full of dyestuff. Dissolve the dye in a small quantity of HOT water.

Heat the dye bath to boiling. Take the wool and wet in warm water with a little kitchen detergent before placing in dye bath. Keep the dye bath at or near the boiling point for 30 minutes.

NOTE:
80% of the dyeing reaction takes place in the first four minutes, consequently, it is most important to gently turn the wool over at regular intervals or lift the wool clear with a wooden spoon, drain liquid slightly and replace. Wool then takes in a new mixture of dye and water thus keeping the dyeing even.

Remove wool, rinse thoroughly in warm water, wring and hang to dry.

RAINBOW DYEING WITH GAYWOOL DYES:
Raw fleeces may be dyed washed or unwashed. Place fleece in a container, fill with water 3/4 the way up the wool (do not cover the wool, or the dyes will run together). While bringing the water to close a boil, spinkle the dyes at random over the fleece, using compatible colors; gently poke the fleece into the water, do not stir, simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Several colors can be used together, e.g. Raspberry and Logwood, Cornflower and Indigo, or just one color using different strengths.

WOOL IN HANKS can be dyed using the above directions.

For more muted colors, instead of sprinkling the powder, dilute the powder in boiling water first. pour or spray.

Gaywool dyes are excellent on wool, cashmere, mohair, silk, nylon and fur (but not on other synthetic fibers) and for re-dying light colored manufactured garments.

Safety Instructions
Always be careful with biling water, wear gloves and avoid breathing fumes when handling the chemicals.


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