Jane,
Thanks a lot for asking and please feel free to post all or part of this:
The dye house began to operate a few days before Thanksgiving, 2012. During the intervening time we evaluated a number of samples of Paternayan Persian dating back 40 years. We then asked three spinning companies to produce samples. One of those companies produced a sample which Don Morton, who has been dyeing Paternayan yarn for 40+ years, felt was "perfect". Even more amazing was that as we began dyeing the Persian in traditional Paternayan colors we noticed it once again had some of the "sheen" that had been lost in the changing composition and manufacture over the past 20 years. We are all extremely pleased with the product and anxious to get it into our customers hands.
The Persian consists of three plies of 2 strands of yarn--all the same size. This decision was based upon a number of comments we received early in our evaluation process from long-time Paternayan needle-pointers (actually, I think the three different sizes were lost in the late 70's). Preliminary samples have since been evaluated by 6-8 needlepoint artists who seemed to think this yarn now closely represents the Persian they had used before. By the end of the month we will have 25 of the most frequently requested colors available and will continue to dye 25-40 lb. batches as the yarn and orders become available. We currently have approximately 800 lbs. to dye and will be purchasing an additional 1000 lbs. in early March. It will take us a year to develop the full color palette.
We will be at TNNA in Long Beach with about 20-25 colors in 8 yd skeins for samples. Donna Joseph (donna@sacoriverdyehouse.com) will be there with us as our sales representative. We feel that: 1) by hiring Don Morton as dyemaster with 40+ years experience at JCA in both commission dyeing and production of Paternayan Persian, 2) hiring Donna Joseph with her long time sales presence for Paternayan, and 3) contracting with a spinning company familiar with Paternayan Persian dating back 30-40 years, we have been able to produce a product many previous users of Paternayan Persian will find extremely satisfactory for their personal as well as their customers needs.
Thank you for your questions
Ken
Ken Raessler
On Jan 21, 2013, at 8:27 AM, Jane Wood wrote:
Kenneth Raessler
100 Main St.
Bldg. 13-W, Suite 101
Biddeford, ME 04005
201-712-5835
UPDATE: Janet Perry has published the lists of available colors as of January 2013. This should start rapidly growing as the company has more time to produce more colors.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/colors-of-new-paternayan/
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
