avid dyer

The first time I dyed yarn I found it and such a lengthy process I didn't think I'd be back for more.  But this time I wanted a specific colour, had some white yarn, so why the heck not. 

I'm not particularly scientific when it comes to dying.  I've watched a bunch of youtube videos and read a bunch of tutorials, so my technique is a bit of this and that.  I personally found a bunch of the ChemKnits tutorials very helpful.

I've not graduated beyond food colouring yet.  I found these ones by Americolor in a local lollystore, and was happy to give colours outside those available at woolies (being red, blue, yellow and green) a go.

My technique in this instance was influenced by the quantity of yarn I wanted to dye.  I didn't have a micorwave safe dish that would both hold my desired quantity of yarn and actually fit in my microwave.   So I tried the stove-top method, becuase I had a big pot.

The yarn:  180g of Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 4ply. 

The colour:  orange 113

The technique:

Use your swift (or the back of a chair, whatevs) to unwind your ball of yarn into a skein.  Use some cotton to tie it in multiple places so it doesn't tangle (see how she ties it here).  Soak your yarn in some water with a generous splash of white vinegar.  I soaked mine overnight.

Put some water in the largest pot you have.  Add a generous splash of white vinegar.  Add a full bottle (25g) of Americolor (or whatever dye you're using at whatever ratio you fancy) to the pot and stir so the dye dissolves into the water (I used my Nigella whisk).  Bring to a light boil. 

Remove your yarn from the soak and get rid of most of the water.  Plop it into the pot.  QUICKLY get a spoon and submerge it.  Every time I've dyed I found the yarn sucks up majority of the dye super quick, so you need to make sure it all gets submerged to get full coverage asap so the entire skein has an equal chance of absorbing the dye.  I don't know if this is scientific, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Boil until the yarn has absorbed all the dye and the water is clear.  Mine took about 20 mins.  Turn off the heat and leave the yarn in the pot to cool enough so you can handle it.

Rince the yarn in lukewarm water with a bit of dish soap until the water runs clear.  This took FOREVER for me so I resorted to a short vinegar soak in an attempt to get the dye to stick and the water was clear after that. 

Squeeze out the excess water and hang to dry. 

Twist into a hank, and take pretty pictures.

I'm quite pleased with the result.  It's bright, practically neon orange.  It has some slight variations in colour - is that what you would usually expect dying it this way?  It could have gone a lot worse considering the amount of yarn I was dying at once.

I think I'm going to call the colour, Fanta-sea.

Now.... what to make...

~Tan

P.s. Linking up with Nat at Made in Home for Let's get acquainted!