Ball and Skien

Hi fiber friends 

It is a sunny day today for a change  so I thought I would put some color into our conversation.
Spring has sprung but will April showers bring May flowers? Well, whether it does or doesn’t, we can make beautiful 

colors with what is all around us. If you haven’t figured it out by now I’m talking about the dreaded dye word. 

No, not die as in death, but dye,which is a form of coloring fiber or fabric or threads.   

 Now in the dictionary it is a natural or synthetic substance used to add or change the color of something.      

Before you go running away through the forest  screaming,because dying scares you. Stop and consider this dismaying

observation,where would we be without color and the natural and synthetic things that are used to create color 

  hmmmmmmmm?
 Well, I can answer that. Everything would be white, off white, blank, boring and white. In the world of knitting, 

amigurumi,cross stitch and yes,even quilting, we need color. Not just one or two, but hundreds, with all of this being said, 

there is more to dying than one blog can cover.I am going to give you the basics and that’s all you truly need. 

First let’s talk safety, the only things you'll need to remember is hot water is indeed hot. Pyrex,plastic spoons and

 plastic containers are tools you will keep separate from cooking ones. That’s it really. (Trust in me) 

Kool aid,plants, flowers,fruits, vegetables, Easter egg dyes, Rit dye powder or liquid is all the dyes you will need.
There are other great ones out there, but unless you are going commercial in your dying efforts

  ( wanting to sell your dyed things ) there is no need.

Plastic squirt bottles, (you can get in cake decorating or with tie dye supplies) are also good to have.

Let's talk chemicals. Jet dry, white vinegar,salt, that's pretty much all you will need.

 Citric acid is called for at times, but white vinegar takes its place .

 

 I mentioned hot water before that is key . There are several ways to dye: on a stove,in a microwave, in a 

regular oven and in the sun.
Microwave and stove are the quickest. The oven is pretty quick as well. Though the sun usually takes most of the

 day. Fabrics are not as easy in the sun,but yarn and threads are. 

 Using regular dyes,or Kool Aid  is almost the same process as using natural dyes. Except the color will last alot

 longer. I soak my fibers in jet dry first. I also just add some salt to the dye and vinegar at the end.

  With all dying you want the water to be mostly clear in what your dying, then you know the fabric has taken most 

of the dye.   

To make a long story short ( too late).  

When dying on the stove the water should simmer never boil. When working with microwave you should do 2 minutes 

at a time,( with the microwave method, the water evaporates. Simmering on stove, it does not.)

remember,with either method when moving fabric or yarn or wool around, they are in hot water so the use of gloves and 

tongs  are recommended.        

Let’s say you want to dye yarn, fabric,thread or wool more than one color ok .

Get some plastic cake decorating bottles or tie dye bottles and put a 1/4 teaspoon salt in each, then fill each one with

a different color.

 
Lay what you want to dye on Saran Wrap and have a cookie sheet lined with foil at the readuy. Set your oven at 200.

 Now take squirt bottles and color your piece any way you like.  If your colors bleed a bit into each other it’s ok,

 just follow the colors of the rainbow as to not get two colors together that would make a muddy brown.

Once your pieces are fully saturated with color, place it carefully on the foil lined cookie sheet ( don’t let the cook see ).

 They are usually protective of tools in the kitchen, especially cookie sheets. Anyway, place on cookie sheet remove

Saran Wrap and place in oven for 30 to 40 mins checking often. Then remove, let cool, rinse and dry. 

There are many ways to add color this is just one .

Now you might be asking  tea or coffee dying ?( I prefer to drink mine ) but whatever  floats your boat.   

Coffee and tea dying is less of a challenge, but still bring beautiful yet subtle results.  

Basics are extra strong coffee or tea mixed with dash salt or vinegar. Have your fabric/ fiber rest on cookie sheet in 

oven or simmer on stove either will work. Rinse, let dry, ta da!!

.

Well I hope this gives you a bit of info to try dying for yourself. 

If you have any questions, feel free to email me, I will help answer anything I can. 

As for now the grass is green the sky is blue and the rest is whatever colors brings you joy.