Rya Rug – 3 to 120 Dye Study

This is a dye exercise that allows you to create over 120 dyes using just 3 colours. The 3 prime colours of dye are used – Cyan(Green/Blue), Magenta (Hot Pink) and Yellow. In this project, start with 3 large dyepots of dye. For each dye skein you will add a bit of colour from the other dyepot, to change the shade of color slightly. I used pure wool yarn for this dye project.

Dyepot 1 – Magenta to Cyan

Dyepot 2 – Cyan to Yellow

Dyepot 3 – Yellow to Magenta The colours will move progressively through the colour chart, changing from one prime colour, until the ending prime colour is reached.

The first time that I did this exercise, I wove all the dye samples into a rya tapestry.

The Dye Study
This is a dye exercise that allows you to create over 120 shades using just 3 dye colours. The 3 prime colours of dye are used – Cyan(Green/Blue), Magenta (Hot Pink) and Yellow.

In this dye project, I dyed about 15 lbs. of yarn. I have adjusted the instructions to a smaller amount of yarn. The amount of dye used will vary depending on the type of dyes that you are using. The procedure will be the same.

Repeat this exercise 3 times for the 3 different colour ranges.
Use 1 lb. of yarn for each colour range. Divide the yarn into 40 equal size skeins. Rinse the dye skeins.

You will need 2 large dyepots. Fill each dyepot with 4 litres of water. Add suffficient dye to each to make a fairly strong colour (enough to dye 1 lb of yarn). I used a CIBA acid dye, so I added vinegar to each dyepot to set the dyes.

Magenta to Cyan
Colour Range 1

For Colour Range 1
– I worked from the Magenta dyepot and added a bit of Cyan to change the colour.

Put the Magenta dyepot on the stove and heat until the dye solution is fairly hot. Add
1 dye skein and let it sit in the dye for about 20 minutes. Remove the dye skein, let it cool and rinse in cool water To create 40 different colours, the second dyepot solution is divided into 40 equal portions.

4 litres of water / 40 = .10 litres each

• Using a measuring cup, measure out .10 litres of dye solution (Cyan)
  Add .10 litres of Cyan to the Magenta dyepot and stir.
  Put the 2nd dye skein into the Magenta dye mixture and let sit for about 20 minutes.
  Remove the dye skein, let cool and rinse.
  For the 3rd colour, measure another .10 litres of Cyan. Add this to the Magenta dyepot.
  Put the 3rd dye skein into the Magenta dyepot. Let it sit for 20 minutes. Remove the dye skein, let cool and rinse.Repeat this procedure until all 40 skeins have been dyed.

Yellow to Magenta

Colour Range 2 – Yellow to Magenta

For Colour Range 2 –
I worked from the Yellow dyepot and added a bit of Magenta to change the colour.

Put the Yellow dyepot on the stove and heat until the dye solution is fairly hot. Add
1 dye skein and let it sit in the dye for about 20 minutes. Remove the dye skein, let it cool and rinse in cool water To create 40 different colours, the second dyepot solution is divided into 40 equal portions.

4 litres of water / 40 = .10 litres each

• Using a measuring cup, measure out .10 litres of dye solution (Magenta)
  

  Cyan to Yellow

Colour Range 3 – Cyan to Yellow

For Colour Range 3

– I worked from the Cyan dyepot and added a bit of Yellow to change the colour.

Put the Cyan dyepot on the stove and heat until the dye solution is fairly hot. Add
1 dye skein and let it sit in the dye for about 20 minutes. Remove the dye skein, let it cool and rinse in cool water To create 40 different colours, the second dyepot solution is divided into 40 equal portions.

4 litres of water / 40 = .10 litres each

Rya Rug Weaving – Off Loom

Rya Rug Tapestry Books
The Ryijy-Rug Lives On Finnish Ryijy-Rugs 1778 – 2008. Book by Tuomas Sopanen, Leena Willberg

Hand-made C.U.M. Rya Rugs
Techniques of Rya Knotting
Hooked rugs & ryas;: Designing patterns and applying techniques
Handgenoopte C.U.M. Rya Tapijten
Rya Rugs – Design and Make Your Own by Melinda Byrd Byrdcall Studio

ORIGINAL FILE DATE: JUL 13, 2011