Dying for Vacation

Yesterday I had a vacation day and the only thing I had planned for the day was to get out the dye I bought months ago!

Back in November I received some Knit Picks Bare sock yarn from Tammy for her Blogaversary winning package. I had wanted to try dying so this was the perfect opportunity to get some dye and try it out. I went and bought the dye, a cranberry color, and was all set. Unfortunately my fear of the unknown got the best of me and I was intimidated to attempt the dying of this yarn.

Two weeks ago I received some natural Superwash merino fiber from a fellow spinner friend (Thanks Manon!) and this set me over the edge. It was now time to try dying and my vacation day was the perfect time for it.

I started out with the yarn because I figured the fiber may be more difficult and have a higher risk of felting.



and two colors made up in mason jars. One on the left was 1 tbsp with 1 cup of water and the one of the right is 1/4 tbsp with once cup. They basically looked the same in the jar (keep in mind I only have cranberry dye).


My plan was to pour some of the light on randomly then some of the darker pink randomly. This in my mind was to make a varigated yarn of sorts.

Here is the pink poured on:


Now with the dark poured on:


That is how I wanted it to look but alas, all my planning was for not. They blended together due to either the temperature, acidity or maybe just too much dye. I'm yet to determine which.


All in all, even though the colors bled together, I'm quite pleased with the end result.



Next was the fiber. I split it in half and dyed one half a darker pink and one half a ligher pink. Again, I poured these colors on randomly in the pot.


I thought I'd ruined the fiber and felted it when I removed it from the water.


Luckily, after a spin in the washing machine on the spin cycle, both turned out just fine and are still fluffy. No harm done.


My plan for this fiber is to ply the two colors together after spinning them into singles. I love the blend of the two pinks.


Time to get more colors!