Saturday, January 12, 2008

All up in the Kool Aid and don't know the flavor

I just had to jump on the Kool Aid yarn dyeing bandwagon. Suzy Girl did it some time ago, in the fall, and I must admit I was jealous. At first her yarn didn't look so good, but once she wound it up and then knit it, it looked delish. She had to keep an eye on that yarn let me tell you. So, Suzy inspired me and I couldn't wait to try Kool Aid dyeing.



This is what I started with . You see that green yarn? Get a good look because you won't see it again. I was trying to over dye it, and it didn't quite work out. Guess I was drinking the Kool Aid when I came up with that idea. The yarn is Patons Classic wool Merino. I had 3 skeins of white, but 1 of them got knotted up, so that left me 2. It took me quite some time to put those skeins into hanks. I don't have the proper equipment, so I used a tall boot shoe box. Worked well.

I wanted to do 2 skeins the same so I could make another felted bag, or a long scarf, but once I started I changed my mind. This first one I wanted to make rainbow/variegated. Now I did soak the yarn first, so the color was sucked right up. I mixed one packet of Kool Aid with 6 tablespoons of water. Very potent = very vibrant. Which is fine, because that's what I wanted. This skein is grape, ice blue raspberry lemonade, lemon lime, black cherry, and a splash of orange. At first, I was not impressed. I actually said, out loud, "This looks like something a 4 year old made. It looks like crap!" I was a little disappointed.

But after cooking in the microwave (which prompted a laughing comment of "What are you doing in there?" from my hubby) this is how it turned out. And I like it.



I liked the orange so much, that I did one skein just orange and fruit punch. Next time I'll keep the un-dyed portions down to a minimum.




And now here are the finished skeins all wound up. I still don't know what I am going to make with them. I think I have enough for a skinny scarf or something.





The next time I dye yarn, yes there will be a next time, I am only going to do two colors, the ice blue raspberry lemonade and the lemon lime. Whole skeins to make a bag, so maybe two skeins each? I like how those colors came out and think they would be nice knitted together. Regarding instructions, I had my dear friend Suzy as a resource and then I just Googled Kool Aid dyeing. Oh, and this was indeed, an all day project.

TTFN!

6 comments:

  1. Kool. Me and Sunshine are admiring you work. He's anxious to dye too!

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  2. They look great!! I can't wait to see how they knit up too. How about some Kool-Aid socks to wear around your house. Or out in the neighborhood if you so choose. After all, from your New Year's post, I know you got men in sequins down there in South Philly :)

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  3. Pretty. Those will look great knitted!

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  4. Awesome! I have just recently tried my own kool-aid dyeing and I love how you left some spots of white in yours. I will have to try that next time! Isn't it so fun?!

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  5. Jenny! What fab dyeing! LOVE the colors---- and yes, it is much fun!! Sort of addictive, and we all know that we don't need another addiction!

    On treadmills----- While I wish I had one at home as you do, it would not make it one bit easier to do. I still hate it. Yes, let me know when you figure out how to knit and walk on the mill. I'm open to suggestions!

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  6. Dyeing is so much fun!!! Hope to see the finished knitting.

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