26246 Dye Your Own Color Star (and Learn How to Use It)
Class | Available
Registration Deadline: 6/17
Using the cellulose fiber of your choice (cotton, linen, rayon, Tencel, bamboo, any other plant-based fiber), you will dye 12 small skeins of yarn in 12 colors of MX Fiber Reactive Dyes. (If time allows, you may also dye shades and tints, to expand the color variations.) Based on the concept of color chords created by Johannes Itten, your color star will serve as a resource of accurate, repeatable dye recipes. For those who aren’t interested in dyeing their warps and wefts, learn science-based decision-making on what colors to use as you plan your warp and weft colors for future work [particularly work in Echo and Jin designs]. Bring lunch or purchase locally.
AGE: Adults
NOTE: Class meets on Saturday from 1:00-3:00, Sunday 9-5 to dye skeins
- MATERIALS FEE: $30 paid to instructor for dyes, auxiliaries, and handouts
- STUDENT SUPPLIES: Wind and bring to class 12 small skeins, at least 6” long each, of WHITE, NOT BEIGE, 5/2 or 10/2 mercerized cotton yarn weighing 1 oz. to 4 oz. each.
(For those who would like to dye additional 12-point color stars showing both darker and lighter values of the original colors, that is, one star showing the shades of the pure colors [by adding black] and one star showing the tints [by adding white)] then please wind a total of 36 skeins in white in 5/2 or 10/2 mercerized cotton.)
Denise Bolger Kovnat
I have been a knitter since childhood, encouraged by my mother, my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Grabowski, and, in particular, my grandmother, who was a seamstress and knitter despite her blindness. To this day, the business of fiber “speaks to my soul,” to quote master weaver Holly Brackman.
I always promised myself that one day I would learn to weave, thinking that it would take maybe a weekend or two. So in 1998, I began taking classes with Joyce Robards – and continued for four and a half years! That same year, I joined the Weavers’ Guild of Rochester and have served gladly in many volunteer positions since.
I most enjoy working with collapse weaves as well as structures like turned taquete that allow for maximum display of color. I also do a lot of dyeing with both man made and natural dyes. In addition, I sew and make fabrics on my knitting machine. What it all comes down to: I love to play and experiment with color and texture.