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Stitching & Crafting Room:  dying wool with koolaid in microwave???  |
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
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Contrary Wife
True Blue Farmgirl
2164 Posts
Teresa Sue
Tekoa
WA
USA
2164 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 3:28:03 PM
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I've used koolaid to dye wool before at one of our Wool Gatherer mtgs. I guess it shouldn't surprise us, just look at a kid's face after they drink koolaid, lol
Teresa Sue
Farmgirl Sister #316
"Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly." The Dalai Lama |
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 3:31:00 PM
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I heard that the teenagers dye their hair with koolaid..I thought about trying red...LOL
This wool dying site is really cool.
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 7:47:52 PM
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Linda, I dyed some nylon roving with kool-aid! If you want to see the pictures, go to the 4th page under this forum to "pricing handspun yarn" and there are pictures on the 2nd page! I did mine on the stove top! I haven't tried wool yet! Just be careful if you mix colors together because sometimes they come out weird!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 07:40:01 AM
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Thanks for sharing this link, Linda. I just gave a dyeing workshop using Kool-aid at a knitting retreat last weekend. All of the gals loved it. I overdye and mix the colors to "mute" them down a bit...kool-aid colors are a bit on the glaring side if you ask me. However, the raspberry blue makes an awesome robin-egg blue color for felting little eggs for knitted nests (new pattern is out for this and is all the "rage.") I have used Wyler's and Hawaiian Punch dry mixes too...anything powdered with artificial colors works the same.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 10:11:26 AM
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Jami, they do come out VERY VERY bright!!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 10:48:28 AM
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Oh, and this gives me another idea. Why the heck don't you see varigated or blended Halloween themed yarns? There are a ton of the Xmas colored yarns, but I want orange, black, yellow etc.!! I think I need to dye my own with some orange and lemon KoolAid and blend it with some of the black fiber I already have. Oh goody, another mess brewing at my house........lol
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 11:15:44 AM
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Bonne, it seems it's just the last few years the fall decorating has become so prevalent and fiber processors are probably slow to respond. Years ago it seems folks only decorated for Christmas and now fall seems to really be taking a big stage.
So, until the world catches up, think you should go for it with your own color palette! Have fun.
Jami
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 11:28:22 AM
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To tone down the koolaid colors, just do what I do...use a water bath canner...put a different koolaid color in each quart canning jar up to as many colors as you like...a large canner will hold 7-8 jars. Mix with really hot water and then fill up the jars to almost full and place in the canner rack on high heat, almost to a boil. Take your skeins of yarn or roving and you can either use the "dunk" method or the layover method where you put different parts of the skein or roving into the different jars and the colors you like, and the colors you don't (too bright or whatever), try dunking into another color and mute it down. You'll love the results and the color combinations and you'll be surprised how many colors you can make. If you leave them in these colors until they exhaust (turn almost clear in the jar and most of the color is in the fiber) you don't have to "set" the dye in the microwave but if you dunk and dunk and quit early, just set it in the microwave in a ziploc bag. Premordant your fiber in a water/vinegar solution.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 12:58:04 PM
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Thanks for all the good info, Jami!!
Ok, I had to try. Ck my blog for the "Samhain Yarn" I'm going to spin. ;)
http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 5:08:16 PM
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When I said to "set it in the microwave" that means to "set" the dye, put the wet fiber in a ziploc bag vented and cook on high for 4 minutes or so...let it cool off a bit and wash in warm soapy water very gently. The dye should be set and if not, cook some more in the microwave.
Figured some might think to just SIT in the microwave from my instructions and that won't do the trick....gotta turn it on! Ha.
Will go see what you've done Bonne. Have fun!
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 6:10:35 PM
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Jami,
It sounds like Easter dying eggs! Could be fun. What about regular yarn? I buy Red Heart. If I wanted to dye a neutral color to my own color? I would get an off-white. Would it work the same?
Sounds fun! I might try it just to see what happens. What about dying the project after it is knitted?
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 8:19:23 PM
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Red Heart acrylic? That's synthetic~the koolaid dyes are for natural fibers~wouldn't "take".
http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Oct 01 2008 : 8:34:50 PM
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Bonne, I used kool-aid on nylon roving and the roving came out really bright! It seemed to take the kool-aid really well!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2008 : 05:31:37 AM
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Bonne - you might try a small skein of your acrylic and see how it does. Please post your results! If it works for you, I've got all kinds of off-whitish yarn that I've inherited over the years and would love to change up the colors, especially for the cost of a packet of Koolaid instead of buying a whole new skein of yarn.
Jami - what proportion of vinegar to water? 50-50?
Thanks for all this great info - sounds like a lot of fun (my kids will have a blast with this one!) - what a great science and art project for homeschool! |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2008 : 08:13:53 AM
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Hi Ann...just a tad of vinegar in water...I'm really bad with measuring as I don't do it. About 1/3 cup of vinegar or a good slosh in a 2 quart or so container of water...I use a cheap plastic tub from the dollar store.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2008 : 08:23:22 AM
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Nylon is a polymer based fiber so can take the koolaid dye but is still a synthetic. I don't know exactly why but it can take those dyes. I am told acrylics like Red Heart will not hold onto dyes. I have no personal knowledge of this...I just read and learn and then don't try it if it's pending a poor outcome.
Bonne, loved your bright colors! Pretty stuff. Whatcha gonna make out of it?
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2008 : 10:01:16 AM
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I used marigolds to get a good yellow. The first yellow I used to blend was very pale like butter; already had some black mohair and a reddish-orange wool to made some "Samhain" yarn,
My blend with the deeper (marigold) yellow I'm calling "Hallow's Eve".
Sorry Linda, I got away from the Koolaid that this thread is about,
and went eau naturalle with the marigolds. lol
Jami, I don't know what I'll make yet. HOW much of this yarn that gets spun up will determine WHAT I can make from it. 
I do know that I'm getting nothing else done around the house, because I can't stop piddling with the wools. hahaha! Heather , you are right on the mark about this being addictive. 
http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ BLOG
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Edited by - Bonne on Oct 02 2008 10:05:30 AM |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2008 : 1:18:42 PM
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Hi all, dyeing is a great part of fiber arts and I spend a great deal of time doing it but I will give you just what I have learned over the years regarding KoolAid dyeing - it is not stable. It will be effected by light, washings, detergents and perfume even if you use vinegar. If you are wanting to sell your yarn or fiber your customers will not be happy when the dye runs, dissapears or leaves the color on their body. It is fun to start the learning process of dyeing with kids with KoolAid because they can not get ill from the dust or smells, it is something they understand but I sure would not use it on fiber or yarn that you have spent any money on. As for the Wilson dyes, I have had many other teachers who agree with me, if you are going to spend the money to dye something get real dyes. There are tons of stores and on line who sell fiber dyes - cake dyes are for food.
Sorry to sound like a downer but I have seen too many students very dissapointed and wasted money on this style of dyeing.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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yarnmamma
True Blue Farmgirl
4247 Posts
Linda
Clarks Summit
PA
USA
4247 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2008 : 1:22:32 PM
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Lots of good info! I thought this was so interesting that it would be a good topic. We are learning alot!
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton, PA "The Office" TV show is based on! LOL LOL
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Oct 02 2008 : 2:14:47 PM
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I have had no problems with color running- just make sure you have exhausted the dye and heated for awhile afterwards to set the color. There are people on Ravelry that have been dyeing this way for years and years and have even posted what their finished objects look like after wearing and washing a long time. Most of them have been selling and trading their yarns for years and don't have problems with it. It just needs to be treated with care, like any item made of wool and other animal fibers. If you buy Wilton's sets of dyes from Hobby Lobby or Joann's or such with a 40-50% off coupon, as most of us do, it really isn't very expensive. Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention before was to make sure you are using the unsweetened Koolaid and other drink mixes. Sugar will burn your yarn in the microwave.
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/
http://plumcreekcreations.etsy.com |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 07:36:24 AM
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Grace, you might be right but when I teach the koolaid/canner method, I tell people it's just a fun project to do with their kids or grandkids. Takes no protective gear and as non-toxic as kool-aid is...don't ask me really, to me that stuff is nasty to drink! But, it's a great fun homeschool kid project and can be done without having special separate equipment and can teach the color spectrum and overdyeing, etc. I haven't had trouble with fading too much but I'm pretty careful to keep my stored woolens in a dark closet or drawer and haven't tested it over years and years time. However, I do dry outside in the sun (against advice) and no problems.
The nice thing about professional dyes are the color choices that you can get....koolaid is pretty limited but still I think it's fun. Since I don't know the long-term effects of it, I have only offered up my acid dyed products for sale and now that I hear your report, kinda glad I have.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Oct 03 2008 : 09:02:45 AM
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Your so right Jami - it is great fun to show kids and it does not require all the gear that other dyes do - I admit I do not wear my mask all the time and have walked around with purple hands for a week or so...
I have seen the sun damage on a sweater made with koolaid dyes, a tank top that left hot pink stains on the body of the knitter who made it, the shawl that leached when being hand washed with another garmet... and the list goes on. Over the years most of us teachers of dyeing strongly recommend that koolaid dyeing is not for items you wish to spend time and money on but heck I am never one to tell someone to not experiment.. Have fun and don't drink your dyebaths.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Stitching & Crafting Room: dying wool with koolaid in microwave??? |
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dying wool with koolaid in microwave???
