Things I have learned while Dyeing Yarn

I have gotten pretty addicted to this yarn dyeing thing. I do not know yet if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I mean, do I really need one more thing to be obsessed with?

In this very short time of me working with Acid Dyes, I have compiled a list of things I have learned. Some of the things I have learned are common sense things, but we all know that common sense escapes me sometimes, other things are things that are in almost all literature that you find on dyeing yarn, but still failed to follow and some things I never knew and I learned on the job.

Here are the things that I have learned so far in my yarn dyeing adventures:

1. Do not dye yarn in a dark pot. You will not be able to tell when the color has been exhausted.
2. There is a reason why they tell you to make sure you are in a ventilated area when dyeing yarn. Please follow that rule.
3. Write down the color recipe so you can recreate it. Yes I know, this is a "DUH" kind of thing but I just created this very pretty color and I forgot to write it down how much of each color I used to make it.
4. No plastic spoons!
5. Before you start, make sure you have all your tools on hand.
6. Please wear shoes. *ahem*

I am sure this list will grow as I dye more yarn and experiment with different dyeing techniques. I will be sure to document them so you wont have to make the same mistakes as me.

Right now this is what I have brewing in my very dark pot:


See what I mean? Dark pot and Dark Dye do not mix.

I think I will take a trip to the store while the yarn is cooling off to correct some of the wrongs on my list above. In the meantime, why don't you tell me some of the things you have learned while dyeing yarn?

Until next time, Happy Knitting Dyeing!

~Knitting Chica


PS: I have much to blog about, like I have finally finished my spinning wheel and the Blue Peony is almost done and I do have some projects that are completed but just failed to post finished photos. I promise to post all about these things VERY SOON.

I have Spun and now I Dye

This weekend I took my completed handspun yarn and dyed it a suer bright red. It is only fitting that my very first handmade yarn be dyed in my favorite color. I found the process to be very easy and surprisingly enough I did not make a mess. I know I have a lot to learn about spinning and dyeing, but for my first attempt at both I think I did a decent job. Let me know what you Think!

54 Yards of Hand Spun Wool

The Dye Bath is Ready!

In it goes!

Look! My spoon matches my yarn!

Yarn is hanging out to dry.

The finished product!

I named the yarn "Cereza", it means Cherry in Spanish.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica

Spinning Adventures Part 2

I have completed my spinning classes and I am ready to now learn how to use a Spinning Wheel. But that will have to wait for another time, since I want to master the drop spindle.

Enough chit chat, let me show you what I have been up to:



More spinning! Getting better, right?

 

Plyed, fingering weight yarn.



Plyed, washed and now hanging up to dry.

 Now all I have to do is wait till it the yarn is dry so that I can dye it, wind it, and then knit it up.

Until next time, Happy Knitting!

~Knitting Chica