Hey, Kool-Aid! Oh, Yeah!!

May 20, 2012 | Verónica

A chronicle of my first adventures in dyeing my hand-spun yarn.

Solid Color

YARN: 45 yards of Mohair (2 oz)

DYE: 3 packets of Blastin’ Berry Cherry Kool-Aid

NOTE: This flavor Kool-Aid dyes a very strong, vibrant color. 1 packet may have been sufficient.

Step 1 – Gently wash your yarn in warm sudsy water. Do not agitate. Soak for 30 minutes.

Step 2 – Gather your equipment – crock pot, gloves, plastic utensil, Kool-Aid packets – and prep the color by stirring in Kool-Aid packets into the water.

Step 3 – Rinse yarn gently of all the soap and drop the yarn in the colored water. Make sure there is enough water to cover the yarn. Patiently allow the water to just reach boiling point. (If using a crock pot as I did, you will need a lot of patience). Allow to simmer for 30 minutes.

Step 4 – Remove pot from heat and allow to cool. Add more patience. Once cooled, rinse in same temperature water. Gently squeeze out excess water – do not wring.

Step 5 – Hang to dry. I used these 99¢ plastic shower hooks from which to hang the yarn. This was to avoid getting rust on the yarn from the plant hooks outside.

Step 6 – Once dry, wrap your hank of yarn. Step back and admire your work.

Variegated Colors

YARN: 82 yards of Angora Wool (4 oz.)

DYE: 3 packets of Lemonade, 1 packet of Pink Lemonade, & 1 packet of Blastin’ Berry Cherry Kool-Aid

NOTE: Add more Lemonade and Pink Lemonade if you prefer stronger yellows and pinks. To get more of the orange, allow a slight mixing of the Blastin’ Berry Cherry and Lemonade.

Steps 1 & 2 – Repeat as for solid color dyeing.

Step 3 – Place yarn in warm water. Dissolve same color Kool-Aid in a small amount of water and pour on each side of the container. Do not stir or agitate the water in order to keep the colors separate. I poured the Blastin’ Berry Cherry on one end, the Pink Lemonade on the opposite end, and the Lemonade in the middle.

Step 4 – Repeat as for solid color dyeing. This is what mine looked like out of the water.

Step 5 – Repeat as for solid color dyeing.

Step 6 – Repeat as for solid color dyeing.

References

Out of the dozens I read or watched on YouTube, I found these two how-to articles to be straightforward and helpful: Dyeing Wool with Kool-Aid – Immersion Method and Dyed in the Wool.

The Spinning Frenzy Continues

May 16, 2012November 10, 2012 | Verónica

FIBER: Fine Wool

FROM: Imported from the U.K. by the Weavery at Indian Meridian

WEIGHT: 4 oz.

YIELD: 100 yards

Spinning Out of Control

May 9, 2012November 10, 2012 | Verónica

I think I’m hooked. Can you get addicted to spinning?

Evidence of my weakness — always in need of a lint brush, walking in clockwise circles.

I only managed this small ball of yarn from 2 ounces of mohair. I’m still spinning yarn of uneven thickness, but it seems to be getting easier.

Two ounces of Shetland Wool yielded 43 yards of yarn.

My first attempt at plying.

My name is Verónica and I am a spinaholic.

My Fiber Stash is Growing

May 1, 2012April 18, 2014 | Verónica

I was in San Antonio for less than three hours but managed to find a yarn store just before closing. (Fellow hard-core knitters can relate).

Tammy Rabideau, the owner of Yarnivore, walked me through their fiber selection. She was very helpful in showing me to gauge how many yards of yarn I might be able to spin from each batch of fiber.

This is what I brought home.

Top: Hand dyed Silky Cashmerino by Frabjous Fibers. This blend of 70% superfine merino, 15% cashmere, and 15% mulberry silk is hand dyed in Vermont. This is color #247 Verbena.

Bottom: A lovely soft Silk/Merino Silver in color #7 Mulberry.

Now to finish spinning the mohair currently on my spindle…

My First Handspun Yarn!

April 26, 2012November 10, 2012 | Verónica

I finally took the plunge. I pulled a lovely white 100% Merino Wool from my fiber stash and started spinning. First, I took the wool and pulled it apart into long thin strips. Then I gently drafted the fibers.

They ended up looking like big cinnamon rolls.

I took out my brand new turkish spindle, attached a leader, and started pulling on the fiber as I turned the spindle clockwise.

My first batch is a bit thick but I’ve read that this is standard for first-time spinners. As I kept spinning, I found I could produce a thinner yarn.

I just have to practice.

This was my first hank! It’s sort of a mini-hank but I am so pleased!

I only had 4 oz. of wool and was able to spin three mini-hanks for a total of 82 yards. I think my yield will be better as my spinning skills improve.

Now I just have to dye it!