« J is for Jeep | Main | Dye Festival »
May 22, 2006
As I Lay Dyeing
I had my first dyeing adventures this past week and, oh boy, was it fun! As Geena Davis said in Thelma and Loise, "Now I understand what the fuss is all about."
Using the book Dyeing to Knit, an email from Angelia, and the blogs of some experienced dyers as references, I began my journey at the kitchen table.
Here we see Dyeing Command Central. Note all the assembled supplies: laptop, vinegar, newspaper, measuring cups, dyes. Everything is ready to go.
To make my first attempt easy I decided to use the space dyed method as described in Dyeing to Knit. Basically, you immerse a skein of yarn into a dye pot by thirds. For the first third of the skein you use the darkest color. When that color is all absorbed you lift out the yarn, rotate it by 1/3, add the next color to the dye pot, and put the yarn back in. When that color is finished you do it again. Finally, when the whole skein has been dyed and all the dye is absorbed by the yarn, you drop the skein into the water and simmer for 45 minutes to set the color.
Simple, right? Frankly, anything is simple if you plan ahead.
I set about soaking some Knit Picks Dye Your Own sock yarn (sold out, don't bother checking) in warm water and vinegar. And I encounter my first problem. The skein is only tied in 2 places and when it hits the warm water I wind up with a messy tangle of yarn. Hunh. Note to self: next time, tie the skein in a few more places before wetting.
Ahhh. The first color hits the yarn. And Carole's second issue erupts. If the dowel sits across the dye pot too much of the skein is going to get dyed by this color. Did I check this in advance? As in, before I dunked the yarn in the dye? Nope. So, here I am, holding the yarn above the pot, trying to figure out a way to suspend it in mid-air. And, of course, I can't let go and no one is here to help me.
Necessity is the mother of invention. And I'm really glad I keep the cast iron fry pans right next to the stove.
The second color is applied. Mmmm. Green.
And here's the thoroughly dyed skein, simmering happily.
Finally, a hank of space dyed yarn. Not bad, I think. Of course, I was going for magenta, bright blue, and spring green and wound up with cranberry, navy blue and hunter green, but that's okay. It's all about the learning experience, after all. Oh, and the fun. And I had lots of fun.
But wait! There's more! Tune in tomorrow to see the hand painted skeins that Blogless Sharon and I created together on Saturday night!
Posted by Carole at May 22, 2006 6:45 AM
Comments
Congratulations on the first dyeing! I have that same book, but have yet to try dyeing that way. That looks interesting. Great colors, too.
Command Central. Ha ha ha ha That's so cool.
Posted by: Dave Daniels at May 22, 2006 7:16 AM
That is great yarn! And sounds like a fun technique. I tried my own but it didn't turn out nearly as fun as yours... not as adventurous with color. Can't wait to see it knit up!
Posted by: Ann at May 22, 2006 7:23 AM
Very cool. And so creative--using the microwave!
Posted by: Kathleen at May 22, 2006 7:29 AM
so pretty. i did some dyeing too this weekend. of a different kind.
Posted by: maryse at May 22, 2006 7:31 AM
Looks good, nice deep saturated colors, my favorite!
Posted by: Cheryl at May 22, 2006 8:05 AM
Great job!
Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee how it can be addictive?
Posted by: Scout at May 22, 2006 8:12 AM
Gasp....you are so creative!!
Posted by: margene at May 22, 2006 8:17 AM
I love it- if it needs a good home, let me know!
Posted by: Carla at May 22, 2006 8:17 AM
Looks wonderful, Carole. I saw that technique described in that book and my first thought was, "How the hell do you keep the dowel high enough." Well, you solved that didn't you. Clever.
Posted by: susan at May 22, 2006 8:20 AM
Great clarity of colors. You are so innovational! I can't wait to see more of this weekend's dye-mania!
Posted by: Fields of Heather at May 22, 2006 8:38 AM
Very nice! I've handpainted, but I haven't space dyed, so that is next up on my list!
Posted by: Leah at May 22, 2006 8:40 AM
WooHoo! Nice looking skein with beautiful colors. Can't wait to see it knit up!
Posted by: Manise at May 22, 2006 8:40 AM
Well done! The colors are beautiful ... and I am impressed by the resourceful solution to the dowel problem.
Posted by: Ruth at May 22, 2006 9:02 AM
I think it looks great Carole! The colors are well paired and the skein looks wonderful :o)
Posted by: amanda at May 22, 2006 9:07 AM
Great job! But are you using acid dyes in your food prep areas? Or is that something safer, like kool aid?
Posted by: Chris at May 22, 2006 9:07 AM
You did a wonderful job! The yarn is beautiful. I love those colors together.
Posted by: Kelly at May 22, 2006 9:14 AM
I love the colors, Carole! I had to laugh at your post - that would have been me, holding the skein up while dyeing it. **did you say that KnitPicks dye your own sock yarn is sold out??**
Posted by: Angelia at May 22, 2006 10:00 AM
I did my first dyeing this weekend, too. I improvised a coat hanger suspended from the cabinet door handle above the stove under similar circumstances.
I'm still waiting for mine to finish drying so I can re-skank them and see if I like them at all. Yours looks beautiful. What dyes did you use?
Posted by: jenifleur at May 22, 2006 10:15 AM
I gotta get busy. What kind of dye did you use?
Posted by: Lucia at May 22, 2006 10:37 AM
adventures in yarn dying very daring and a great job
Posted by: blogless sharon at May 22, 2006 10:40 AM
Nice job! Very pretty. Someday I'll try it, too...
Posted by: Martha at May 22, 2006 10:50 AM
Very pretty!!
Posted by: caitlyn at May 22, 2006 11:00 AM
Well it may not be the colors you were going for, but it looks great!
Posted by: Karen at May 22, 2006 11:02 AM
Dammit, woman, you're making this look like WAY too much fun!
I love your bright and happy hank 'o hand-dyed yarn! You must be so proud. ; )
Posted by: Vicki at May 22, 2006 11:29 AM
Great colours, great post... love your command central photo. This is all way too much fin... I too spent the weekend, dyeing.
Posted by: Liz at May 22, 2006 11:39 AM
That's very, very, very, very, very, very, very cool. ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. at May 22, 2006 11:44 AM
So pretty! You make it look so easy!
Posted by: jillian at May 22, 2006 11:58 AM
That is a great skein - especially for a first skein!! I have that book, but haven't tried that method. I'm more of a handpaint (even if I do thirds) and microwave kinda gal. I really liked what that book had to say about color wheels and am pleased that I picked up a color wheel - it really helps to see how you can go from the color you have to the color you want.
Posted by: Chris at May 22, 2006 12:28 PM
That is some seriously gorgeous yarn.
Posted by: Sheryl at May 22, 2006 12:36 PM
Wow!! I'm going to get out my Kool Aid :).
Posted by: Lisa at May 22, 2006 1:04 PM
Love your yarn holding idea, brilliant! :)
Posted by: Jennifer at May 22, 2006 1:08 PM
See, it IS fun!
Good job!
Posted by: christine at May 22, 2006 1:55 PM
Your yarn looks great!
Posted by: Susan at May 22, 2006 2:21 PM
Looks great! I can see this is just the beginning.
Posted by: Monica at May 22, 2006 3:24 PM
Ah, you've been bitten by the dye-bug! Lookin' great for your first time! Wow! Makes me want to get my dye out and play.
Can't wait to see what you've got to show tomarrow.
Posted by: heather at May 22, 2006 3:52 PM
That looks great, Carole! I love the idea of the colorway you were aiming for, but I really like this colorway too! Dyeing is sooo addicting! I've dyed way more than I can knit...
Posted by: Kristi aka Fiber Fool at May 22, 2006 4:44 PM
Carole, you crack me up! Not too bad - it looks freaking great! Okay maybe not the colours you had wanted but it didn't turn out looking like a skein of s**t coloured yarn! I love it; so when are you going to dye and spin some roving? LOL I am just being cheeky because I am sure you are already thinking about it!
Posted by: Cynthia at May 22, 2006 6:08 PM
Well done! Not what you intended, but vibrant and wonderful all the same!
Posted by: melanie at May 22, 2006 6:56 PM
Do you know that As I Lay Dieing is a screamo band?Hehe!
Posted by: Hannah at May 22, 2006 7:20 PM
Lovely dye job Carole! Wonderful first effort!
Posted by: Debi at May 22, 2006 7:33 PM
Ohh, AHH! What great work. You could challenge Koigu...
Posted by: Sean Riley at May 22, 2006 7:50 PM
Heh...when the going gets tough, the tough improvise. The yarn looks glorious!
Posted by: Imbrium at May 22, 2006 8:00 PM
Not too shabby:) You're a natural.
Posted by: Diane E. at May 22, 2006 9:17 PM
Oh, Dave has a lot to answer for, doesn't he!?
You did a fantastic job, and I shall expect hand-dyed yarn for Christmas this year!
Posted by: Jay at May 23, 2006 2:25 AM
Wow - that really does look like lots of fun, and your colors are great! And you'll be able to knit socks with yarn you dyed yourself! So, when are you going to dye your own handspun????
I can't wait!
Posted by: elisa at May 23, 2006 6:30 AM
