KoolAid(tm) Dyeing
by Linda
I recently tried this method on my first homespun wool yarn. I was quite
pleased with it. Use the small packet - the one you need to add sugar to
when using the 'normal' way. ;)
This is how I did it. There are also other methods available elsewhere on
the net.
- Have your yarn skeined up and ready to go.
- Fill a medium sized glass bowl about two thirds of the way with warm
tap water.
- Empty a packet of KoolAid into the water and stir to dissolve it
thoroughly.
- Place the yarn on the surface of the water and gently coax it down
until it's completely covered.
- Cook on high in your microwave for one minute. Again, gently push the
yarn beneath the surface of the water.
- Cook again on high for another minute.
- Let sit, undisturbed, for 5 to 10 minutes. Some of the colour should
already be absorbed.
- Push it beneath the surface and cook one last time on high for one
minute, then let it sit until all colour is completely absorbed and water
has cooled to lukewarm. The water will be clear.
- Gently lift the skein from the bowl, empty, then refill the bowl with
clear water, the same temperature as the water you just drained. Don't
shock the wool with extreme temperature changes! Rinse the skein by
coaxing it below the surface of the water as before and let it sit for
a few minutes.
- Lift the skein from the water and wrap it in a clean towel for a
few moments to absorb the excess water. Lay the skein on a dry towel
out of the reach of kids, pets and sunlight. Be sure it's completely
dry before storing or using. This will probably take at least 24 hours.
Different flavours, obviously, produce different colours:
- Cherry produces a lovely deep red, almost but not quite burgundy.
- Tropical Punch gives you a dark red-pink.
- Pink Swamingo produces an orangy-peach colour - classic flamingo!
- Strawberry produces a very deep red-pink - darker than Tropical Punch.
- Lemon-Lime produces, well, lime!
Will report on other colours as I try them.
I do not recommend the following method. It didn't work very well.
The wool came out slightly felted and feeling dry and 'cooked'.
I haven't tried covering the roving with plastic wrap as it cooks. I've
seen this suggested, but the only wrap I had at the time was not for use
in microwaves, and I didn't want any plastic in my yarn. :)
- Thoroughly wet a length of roving which has been arranged in a spiral
on an old dinner plate or similar dish.
- Sprinkle various flavours of KoolAid on different 'slices of the pie'.
You probably wouldn't want to use more than four different shades.
- Sprinkle the roving with more water of the same temperature. Press
the crystals into the wool slightly.
- Cook in the microwave for one minute, press the colours in again,
let it sit for a few minutes, then cook for another minute on high.
- Let the roving sit until all or most of the colour is abosrbed. If
you can find any remaining water, it will be clear or almost clear.
- Drain the remaining water from the plate, and rinse the roving with
water of the same temperature you just drained by gently dropping handfuls
onto it.
- Squeeze gently to get rid of the excess water.
- Let dry thoroughly, as above, before spinning.
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