Knitting



How To Dye Yarn with Kool Aid

This is an Idea for a quick and easy way to dye yarn which requires no specialist equipment. Simply a sachet of Kool-Aid and a saucepan!

Step 1

This is simple and easy to do - different flavor Kool-Aid will give different colors! White wool is obviously good to dye - however you can also over dye other colors for different effects.

1 sachet of Kool-Aid will dye 25gms of wool yarn (it is essential that wool, silk or other protein fibers ie alpaca are used.  Cottons or other vegetable fibers will not work).

Kool-Aid is acidic so you don't require vinegar or lemon juice to help set the dye. The heat sets the dye in this instance.

Kool -Aid is readily available in the US and can be bought in the UK and internationally via Ebay - or Kool-Aid UK

Step 2

If your wool yarn is in a ball, wrap it into a skien - wrapping it around your hand an elbow will make a good size skien. Tie the skien in at least three points to avoid tangling - but tie loosely so you don't get white marks. Wet the wool thoroughly - either soak over night or put in some water with detergent and gently squeeze all the air out. It is important that the wool is wet through to get an even result.

Step 3

Mix up the Kool-Aid and put in saucepan with enough water that the yarn will be covered. It doesn't matter how much water is used (as long as yarn is covered) the important ratio is Kool-Aid to wool - for pale colors use less Kool-Aid or more wool.

Step 4

Ensure that the yarn is completely covered then gently bring to the boil and allow to simmer for 5 minutes, then leave to stand.

Step 5

The water will turn clear and this demonstrates that all of the colour has been absorbed by the yarn

Step 6

When yarn is cool, rinse and ring out. You could spin if required - however don't use the tumble dryer - your wool will felt!

Step 7

Fancy yarns can be achieved - try hanging the skien over the pot so just part of the wool is dipped. Or try pouring different colors over sections of the skein and then heating in the microwave.

 

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