First forays into dyeing my own yarn(s)

[untonuggan]

First off, thanks for all the advice and kind words I got about dyeing my own yarns!

I ended up dyeing two lots of things, one lot of commercially spun yarn (Paton's DK superwash) with Wilton food dye using the microwave and another of Wensleydale sheep wool roving with Wilton food dye using an aluminum pot on the stovetop.

For a slightly more complete chronicle, check out the Flickr set.

Here is the hand-dyed Paton's, which came out mostly in a violet purple with some hints of dark blue and some dark pink. I used "teal", "burgundy" and "violet" dyes.


Here is the Wensleydale, which I dyed in the braid that it came in partly to preserve my sanity (tangled wet wool, anyone?) and partly to see what would happen. It ended up kind of tie-dyeing the wool, which was kind of cool. Also, the top of the wool ended up more of a pink and the bottom ended up more blue-purple. It created a really interesting and subtle effect in the spun yarn (next photo).


Here is the spun Wensleydale, in a colorway I am calling "Best Tea China", because it reminds me of the china tea set my grandmother gave me. I spun "from the fold", because Wensleydale is a longwool and can require a lot of pre-drafting. The lady at the yarn store recommended I try spinning from the fold when I spun Blue-Faced Leicester, and it turned out really well and was generally a lot easier. It does take away some of the strength of it being top, but at this point I don't mind. It also tends to mix the colors a bit, which is kind of cool IMO. Colors are very pale blue, bright white, bright pink. Same dyes as the first one, just different proportions and obviously very different wool/yarn. Was at first tempted to over-dye this (meaning dye it a second time), but I have changed my mind.


So there you have it! I'm hooked.

Comments

[rainne]

That's so pretty!!! I must admit, I am jealous of people who can spin their own. I tried to learn how to use a drop spindle and I couldn't figure it out and now it just frustrates me, so I have a TON of beautiful roving and nothing to do with it. Guess I ought to learn to needle felt or something.

[untonuggan]

Thank you! I ended up taking a class which was suuuper helpful, but totally understand that spinning is not for everyone. And wheels = $

I have been rationing my roving because I'm getting to the point where I'm cranky if I have nothing to spin. :D (It's like if I don't have a knitting project on the needles - you'd better watch out!)

[twistedchick]

I think you did very well for a first time dyeing! Congratulations!

[untonuggan]

Thank you! :D

[momijizukamori]

Lovely! My two little... I guess tips - I found that the Wilton's colors tends to 'break' more than food coloring (or pro acid dyes) - I know the A Kool Way to Dye group has some good threads on preventing it if you want. And - well, you probably noticed that the dye didn't take around your ties *g* I generally do mine reaaaaally loose to avoid that

[untonuggan]

Thank you for the tips. :D

[oakmouse]

Pretties!

I really like the tie-dye effect. Such a lovely scarf or shawl that would make...