I received a lot of positive feedback on my last post about dyeing yarn. I'm certainly not an expert on the subject by any means, but I truly enjoy experimenting (I am a scientist after all) even if those experiments turn out a little funny like this one did. I also hope that many of you will try your own dyeing adventures!
First experiment: Egg dyes:
Right after Easter you can usually find those boxes of egg dye tablets (there are many different brands) for about $0.25 a piece. I've found them to be a really easy and nontoxic way to dye yarn, in fact that was the only type of dye I would use while at college. While the color choices might appear to be slightly more limited (usually only about 6-8 different colors per box), you can use the amount of vinegar added to change how vibrant the colors turn out.
First I soaked my yarn (Cascade 220) in a 1:4 vinegar to water solution for at least an hour in order to allow the dye to correctly set in the fibers. Then I gently squeezed out as much of the water out of the fiber as I could and placed the yarn in a microwaveable dish.
I always experiment with how I prepare the dye, but this time I added 2 cups of boiling water to about 3/4 a cup of white vinegar (the volume of vinegar is where I usually experiment), and then added two tablets of the same color to the mixture. After the tablets completely dissolved, I was ready to go!
I poured the dye mixture over half of the skein and then microwaved it on high for 2 minutes, allowed it to rest for at least 5 minutes, microwaved for 2 minutes, and then allowed to cool before squeezing most of the water out.
I repeated the dye step with another color (which I totally chose at random just for the fun of it) until I had a pretty variegated skein (can't you tell I just love dyeing those the best?).
I think that out of all of the different dyeing methods, egg dyes are some of the easiest and least messy, and I highly recommend them to people wanting to give them a try.
Still interested? Check out my other posts on dyeing:
Egg dyes sound easy enough and I LOVE the colour combination here. Just one question - how do you dye one half in one colour without it affecting the other (undyed) half? Or do you put both colours in at the same time?
ReplyDeleteAll your dye fun has inspired me. At some point, I shall have to do some more playing....I took one dyeing/painting class, but have not done any on my own. This hank makes me think of Florida beaches (palm trees, blue water, orange sun).
ReplyDeleteEgg dyes do sound college room friendly. Where would you hang them to dry in a dorm? Your yarn turned out lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds so easy I just might give it a try. It's very pretty, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you love to experiment and then teach us all about it! As you know I've never dyed anything - so while I figure out what I'll do first I keep reading your blog and gathering information! I found a big old wool sweater in my wardrobe that might turn into my fist try. Happy Friday. And oh, I love that you made the paintbrush holder!
ReplyDeleteVery excited for tomorrow, you will have to teach me your ways! I love the blue and orange together!
ReplyDeleteI will have to keep this in mind post-Easter next year. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out very nice, and now I want to play with colors again. Definitely give Wingspan a try, people have come up with all kinds of modifications, lots of options to play with.
ReplyDeleteThe colours you got are very striking! Thanks for sharing the link to your tea dyeing post - reminds me of all the teabags I have in the freezer that I was saving to try tea dyeing.
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of using egg dyes. You, my friend, are quite clever.
ReplyDeleteOk you have me interested now, that is such attractive yarn. I just need to find the time for all this extra yarn based stuff
ReplyDeleteoooooh pretty! I want to see it all knit up!
ReplyDeleteYour colors are TERRIFIC
ReplyDeleteYou're definitively setting the mood to dye.
hugs
Ohh egg dyes! I don't think you can even buy them here (NZ isn't big on dyed eggs) but that looks awesome. You have inspired me, I plan to do some dying since we are now on holiday!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! It will be fun to see how that knits up, too. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so cool! F-U-N!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to come by your house and have you go through all your dyeing processes with me. One of my (many) goals this summer is to hand dye some yarn and I'll be referring to your blog posts (often, I'm sure!).
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! Next Easter, I'll have to stock up on egg dyes. :)
ReplyDeleteSo very fun! I've tried Kool Aid and really had a blast with it - but never egg dye...This would be so fun to try with kids.
ReplyDeleteOoooo--so pretty! I must say that I have not had any desire to dye yarn before reading your dyeing posts. :) Now I must admit I am becoming more and more intrigued. I am afraid of making a mistake and ruining a perfectly good skein of yarn. Do you just buy a skein of regular white yarn? How do you keep it from getting all tangled while it is soaking and while you are ringing out?
ReplyDeleteHmmm...inquiring minds want to know. :)
*smiles*
I'm going to have to keep that in mind next Easter. I experimented with acid dyes a few years back and didn't enjoy all the warnings and toxic issues. This might be the way to go!
ReplyDeleteBTW I love how the blue and orange seeped into a green at the one edge!
I'll have to keep this one in mind next Easter since we'll be dyeing eggs for the first time. I love your experimenting!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like soooooooooooooo much fun. I love how it turned out, and I love how willing you are to just go for it. Your free spirit with yarn is awesome. I have tons of white yarn on hand, which I try not to use for the charity projects (dirt and difficulty in doing laundry etc.), I've wanted to try to dye some. Everything I read gives thumbs down on purchased yarn being dyed; but...I don't understand why. People dye fabric ..white fabric all the time and it works. I have alot because often people give it to me, and I try really hard not to turn down the good intent. Do you think it's possible to use it with your Easter Egg Dye method? This is the first I've read about Easter Egg Dye. Read about special dyes, kitchen dyes, Rite Dyes, Kool-Aid; but the ease you described interests me. Thanks for your sweet encouragement, and helping me see the accomplishments over the not done. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a cute blend! It looks super happy ;-)
ReplyDelete