Hope you enjoyed my article. A quick review of what's going on: We're in the middle of a steek-along (details in the sidebar, click on the button at the bottom) and I'm knitting the half-round shawl from "Victorian Lace Today" and a sock. And a sweater. And, let's not get into any more unfinished stuff I've got sitting around. Oh. And I'm in Florida, due back at the homestead next week. (Isn't the internet COOL?)
Did someone say contest?
Leave a comment saying hello, and at the end of the month I will pull a name out of a hat (or maybe let The Baby pull a name) and the winner gets the three skeins of yarn featured in my Knitty article!
EDITED TO ADD: Of course long-time readers will be entered. As if I would neglect you! And I'll take names from now to the end of the month, so you don't HAVE to post a comment right here on this particular entry. (Though at the moment it's the only place to leave a comment...)
And yes, I'll get The Baby to pick the name. Heehee.
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107 comments:
Lovely article!
I've been dyeing a lot myself, lately, and have the purple fingernails to prove it. (Oddly enough, the Wilton's purple tends to linger differently to different surfaces. My countertops wouldn't let go of the red portion of the purple, while my fingernails particularly enjoyed the blue/black portion.)
I enjoyed your article in Knitty today. I've been admiring other people's hand dyed yarn and always thought it was a mysterious and tedious process. You make it sound doable! Thanks, Rebbie
Very interesting! I love handpainted yarns, but have never ventured into making my own. Thanks for showing us how it's done. By the way, I loved the Ugly Socks.
I loved your knitty article. I have only died wool a few times and all with Kool-Aid. I want to go and try the food coloring now. LOL!
Oh, I added your blog to my list of feed reads, too. Take care.
I just saw the Knitty. Looks pretty good this time - esp the Space Invader Socks!
Hello!
I've been dyeing a lot and loved your article. It's great to show new dyers
what a well infrmed article on dying. I have dabbled a bit on cold method with food colouring and vinegar but I liked the slow cooker way. opened my eyes to a few things I can assure you.
Great blog too
*crawl crawl*
Loved the article and the yarn! I've only dyed my own handspun with Kool-aid and that was lots of fun - my daughter helped and we enjoyed it. Hope to read more from you in the future.
Thanks for the knitty article! I've been wanting to dye, but didn't want to bring the necessary chemicals into the house (too many small children about). Now I think I can dye, and may even be able to turn it into a family craft project!
I just finished reading your article on Knitty and thought it was a great article on dyeing with food coloring. I just wanted to clarify something you said about natural dyes however. As an avid user of natural dyes I dismayed to see them written off wholesale as "poisonous" and "insanely toxic". It is true that in the past it was commonplace to see metal salts such as chrome, copper, and tin used as mordants. This is no longer common place with most natural dyers. Most commonly Alum (aluminum sulfate) and Cream of Tartar (a by-product of the wine industry) are used to mordant protein fibers. As I am sure you know these are both food grade items that can be found at the supermarket. As for the dyestuffs being poisonous that is certainly true for some but not all. You can make wonderful pots from marigold flowers or onion skins. Or you can buy extracts from Earthues that make dyeing with natural dyes even easier. One of the main red dyes used in natural dyeing is from the cochineal bug (a scale insect that is a parasite to the nopal cactus)and the largest buyers of cochineal are Dole and Loreal. In other words it is a non-carcinogenic red dye that is used both in the makeup industry and the food industry.
Sorry to be so long winded but I love using natural dyes and I hate to see them maligned unjustly. One needs to be cautious when dyeing no matter what you use (including food coloring) and I agree that each person should asses their personal comfort levels before they pick which dyes to use. Just don't be so quick to judge natural dyes!
rganic, plant-based dyes aren’t much better; the plants themselves are often poisonous (pokeberry, anyone?), and the mordants can be insanely toxic –arsenic and copper sulfide are just a few of the more deadly chemicals you’ll play around with. I have a toddler, and the idea of having anything like that near her makes my blood run cold.
Very informative!
Congratulations on your Knitty article. I think I may be ready to foray into dying. You make a lot of good points about starting with food coloring!
hey, julie --
i wish the full-time writers i work with explained things so clearly. excellent work.
a. nonnie mouse
Helloooh! I think you already know what I think of your yarns - gorgeous! And however "easy" the Knitty article claims dying to be - I still wouldn't have the patience for it (so much easier to visit Etsy...). Keep up the good work!
Does a contest entry count if we're not a new commenter? If so...
hello!
Great article! I haven't played with food coloring (or even koolaid) yet, but I'm sure I'll get there some day. I agree with the others that your terrific explanations and photos make it seem easy. I love the look of the dip-dye.
I'll have this printed out and by my side when I settle into dyeing shortly.
Hi!
Interesting article...I didn't know you could dye yarn in your oven...I knew you could do it on the stovetop and in the crockpot...but the oven? Interesting.
'Ello. I havent read the article yet but buy the time you get to doing names I will have. I need to get some sewing done before I have any more fun :D
Hi Julie :)
Thanks for the mention in Knitty. The Dye Pot is really just a place for me to keep notes; I'm glad you found it useful!
I just love the blue yarn...even if I don't winthe contest..I want to buy a skein or 2 of that beautiful blue yarn!! I looked at etsy and will wait to see if you have some of that for sale SOON!!
I loved your article. I've always dyed with acid dyes and the occasional pack of kool aid. Now I know what to do with all the Wilton Colors left over from kid's birthday cakes :)
Hope you're enjoying Florida! Nice article. I'm curious, what about natural food dyes? I have some made by Dancing Deer that I bought at Whole Foods. Not cheap, but I tell you, they color everything they come in contact with. Just curious what you thought. I'm not thinking of dyeing anything anytime soon.
Re: your allergies, have you tried homeopathy? Our pediatrician is also a homeopath. I swear, it works like magic (knock on wood).
HI! (PS, if you still need a sheep with a sword for your shop, i'll start trying to draw one up for you.. also, please pity my blog, for it has few posts, and little content)
Can't resist a contest...especially one that the baby might be in charge of! So...hello!!!
definately go for the baby part. I love it when you have an article in Knitty because it is like I get a double dose of Julie. I started swatching with the technoblah and I must say it is such a happy colour. I haven't knit a lot of socks but I think that the feeling of the yarn is fine, not rough or poor like you thought it might be.
I love to dye, and am excited Easter is coming up so that I can buy all the half price Easter Egg dye afterwards. Recently, I dyed using a pour technique, and the results were fabulous. Here is a link to my blog, where I documented it, if you are interested. :) http://shansays.typepad.com/adroppedstitch/2007/01/down_dirty_dyin.html
Hey, I liked your Knitty article--how did you ever do all that with a Baby around!?! I've been thinking about Kool-Aid dyeing for a while, but didn't realize I could use the dye we've been using for frosting to get the job done.
I could even let my kids do some of it....maybe....
Hello! I haven't read the article yet, but throw my name in. That is if I can get ^&(^)ing Blogger to post this,
Oh! My! G-d! It worked *does happy dance into the kitchen for some celebratory chocolate*
Your article is really great!! I love how you spelled everything out so clearly...very helpful! I hadn't really considered ever trying to dye my own yarn but it looks easier than I thought and fun!
Hello!
Thanks for the great article on dyeing! I've been tempted to try dyeing my own--the food coloring sounds like a good place to start. (Also love the yarn in youe Etsy shop!)
I've been interested in trying acid dyes but didn't want to go buy a lot of colors. Imagine my delight when I found your article about using food colors--which I happen to have a lot of! I can't wait to try it. Thanks!
great article and great yarn I love the blog too.
I just wanted to stop by to say how much I loved your Knitty article! I've been a little leery of using chemicals and was going to try Kool-Aid eventually, but why didn't I ever think of food coloring? I think I'll be using our crockpot for more than stew in the future, you've inspired me!
I can't pass up the wee small chance at some lovely yarn! I don't know if I'll be dyeing yarn any time soon, as I am a pretty newbie Knitter, but I just can't stop reading all the internet knitting porn! So addictive and (to continue the naughty metaphor) lust inducing! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Here I am saying hello. Your handpainted yarn is absolutely gorgeous. For now I'm just interested in knitting but I may dabble in spinning or hand painting sometime in the future. I'm just glad that there are people like you creating beautiful yarn for the rest of us!
Great article. My knitting group is on a dye rampage & the timine was perfect. Thanks so much
Okay...I haven't even had time to read my Knitty...but you know I'm soooo going to be reading your article when i get there!!! (Hope you and The Baby are having a good time in Florida!
great article... and hello yarn!
brilliant article thank you so much. I have wanted to dye for so long but thought I couldn't do it, way too hard, expensive, etc. for me to do. I went out and bought food colouring as soon as I read your article. thanks doesn't quite cover it :)
And I would LOVE the skeins you dyed in the article. Baby, baby, pick me :)
Parisa xx
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the article on dyeing. I purchased a few skeins of cream baby alpaca, specifically for dyeing (which I have not done before), but have been afraid to dye it and mess is up. Your article is very thorough (pictures always help too), and gives me the confidence I need to "Just Do It!". Provided my little guys are agreeable, I just may have to dye it this afternoon. Can't wait. Thanks for the inspiration!
So glad I found your blog thru Knitty! Love your work!
Excellent article, Julie! Dear dotter has already been bitten by the dyeing bug, so my microwave is permanently multicoloured...
So. Anyway - heellloooooo... do you come here often? Can I, like, buy you a drink? ;)
The article is brilliant Julie, and hello! Maybe I'll get some purple train wreck this way!
Hi, Great article at Knitty! Never thought of using food dyes before though. Loved all the step by step photos and the reasurance that the techniques were simple, even with a toddler (boy how I understand that one!) Now I'm off to have another read of your blog. Thanks again!
Hey Julie
Good article, I didn't realize the range of colors that you could get from food dye... I am going to have to do some experiementing :)
Hi! I am SO excited about your article - I never thought I could dye anything because I didn't want to get into the whole acid dyeing thing. This ROCKS!
I liked your article, it made me want to try it out. I have to go check what food dyes I can find. I have only seen them in tiny bottles.
great article - I have done some dying (just dove right in - no real plan in mind!) and it was nice to read a nice, simple "how to" article...thanks!
Now that you're world famous don't forget us little folks! :-) Enjoy your vacation.
Hey!
Been lurking for some time now, but your contest drew me out of the ether...haven't read your article yet, but I tend to slowly get through Knitty so it lasts longer!
I've been drooling over your yarn for a month now wondering how you make such beautiful yarn. Thank you for your article. You make it look so easy.
And the baby should definately pick the name. She's so cute.
Hi, Julie! Although I haven't gotten a chance to read the new Knitty I'm about to. (Yours is the first blog on my list.) I'm looking forward to learning the method you made the beautiful Purple Trainwreck colorway with. Since it doesn't count as buying new yarn if you're dyeing stuff you already have I might try out your process.
Thanks,
CJ
PS: As an explaination of why 'new' yarn might be a problem in my budget I offer the following ten words, certainly some of the most beautiful words in the english language when strung together like this: a 40-50 percent sale on all yarns at my LYS. (Hyphenated words are one word!)
I read your wonderful knitty article yesterday, and last night I dreamed of dye - a painter's palette, dozens of bottles of food colouring all packaged neatly in one big, yellow Crayola box. I can't wait for warm weather to come to Ontario so I can try painting some really long skeins of yarn outdoors!
I'm moving into a house (from a tiny tiny apartment) in 4 months.
In 4 months I will be getting a crafty space.
In 4 months, I'm printing off your article, and dying myself some super fun yarn.
Ohh, yeah. I'm so excited.
Can you tell I liked the article? ;-)
Love your Knitty article, I had not read how to do the dip dyeing before. I use a vegetable steamer for my dyeing, works great!
I've been wanting to get into dyeing; in fact, I just received my first 2 hanks of Knitpicks' Bare, and I think I'll put your instructions to use and dye it up this weekend! Thanks!
Hello! Love the yarns. I recently bought a bunch of undyed yarn to start my own dyeing adventures....
Hi loved your Knitty article. I've done a bit of dyeing using food colours but wasn' sure if I was doing it 'correctly'. I use the microwave. I enjoyed reading how you do it and it's given me some tips to try myself. Off to get some vinegar now.
mmm. so cool. I am thinking that I have to register for bridal stuff soon, and I was going to skip the crockpot (lack of space in an ridiculously small apartment), but I am thinking that blue-ish pot roast doesn't sound so bad anymore! Hee Hee!
Great article--I've been dying yarns for about a year now and I found your article to be quite informative! I'm printing now,lol. Thanks for writing it :)
Hello, from Kitten's mom
Oh wow, now that I know I can actually post, let me just add, from Kitten's mom, how much I love love love your blog -- can't even imagine how you manage to do it all. And I've found some great patterns from some of your fellow bloggers.
I learned so much from your article. I've only Kool Aide dyed before but now that you've shown me how easy it is I'm going to try crocking me up some yarn!
Ruinwen
:)
I just finished an introductory natural dyeing class - enjoyed it immensely, but this seems so much easier. Or maybe just more experience is needed. I thought your explanations were wonderful and make me want to jump right in. I have some grey alpaca that I thought I would like, but now the grey just doesn't seem right. I think purple is more my color - so off to get some vinegar and find the Wilton's. Also gloves are a must unless you want dark fingernails for 3-7 days. Thanks again for the inspirational article.
Nice article. It's great to see so many photos of the process.
MAN! Do you know how to get comments, or what? Loved the article, BTW, very fascinating stuff. When's there going to be more Neon Flamingo?????
Julie, you're a daily read for me! Love your frankness and passion for teaching. You challenge me to learn even more. Enjoy your get-a way! ~ Happy Knitter
The yarn in your Knitty article is gorgeous! (I so covet them!) Going to crack out the crockpot and see what I can come up with too. Thanks for the great info!
I really enjoyed your knitty article. It makes all this dying stuff look like something a normal person like me could do! thanks :)
Leaving a comment to say HELLO!!
:)
Good article. I've been watching your saga with dying yarn for your shop--the colors are really nice. I just have to knit down what I currently have so I can add some of yours.
Phyllis
me,me,me enter me please *grin*
I haven't entered a contest in a million years and haven't won anything in longer than that.. I'm sooooo due *grin*
Hi!
I really enjoyed reading your article, i've always wanted to try dyeing yarn and its great that your article shows how to do it in an easy and safe way, thank you!
Great Knitty article and just in time! I've been spinning up some plain "white" merino and it is screaming for some color.
Glad to be here! You're always a fun read, especially for a new knitter. Once I get some more knitting experience, your sock yarn looks wonderful!
I loved your dying article at Knitty. Never knew you could use a crockpot. I also liked that you can use common household items without investing a lot of money. Dying yarn is next on my list of things to learn. Thank you for the very informative article.
Great article! Thanks for the references for those of us who want to delve a little deeper!
Hi, there!
Just read the article and thought, "Hmm, this will be cool to do with the 10-year-old over March Break!" In the interest of short attention span and instant gratification, I think we'll maybe try the hot pour method!
Thanks!
Loved the article in knitty. I've got three skeins of yarn just waiting to be dyed. Now that I've read your tips, I'll have to give it a go.
I've been checking your blog ever since I came upon the Ally scarf pattern (linked through my friend ellen_alexandra's blog). I made a scarf for myself, and now I'm working on a modified version in linen to make a wrap for a friend's wedding. I just read your Knitty article last night - I really appreciate all the practical details (and the encouragment not to give up even when the mess is getting big.) Thanks!
I loved the article- thank you for introducing me to a
potentially new obsession- hand dyed yarn. I can't wait to try it -Lisa
Let the Baby choose!! I've been lurking on your blog for at least a month, drooling over your yarn. If it weren't for my finance imposed stash diet, I'd be a frequent buyer but, for now, I have to drop in, say hello, and hope the Baby picks my name out of the hat of greatness. Hope you're having fun in Florida.
I bought Bare yarn & dye from KNitPicks, but I've been hesitant to start. Your article made it all so clear, that I can't wait. Thanks so much!
hello, from a long time reader. ;)
Thank you thank you thank you for such an informative article! I bought some naked yarn last week b/c I've had some colorways come to mind that I couldn't find online. Because of the fab timing of your article, I can actually get down to the dyeing process. Thanks again!
Thoroughly enjoyed your Knitty article. I haven't taken the plunge into dyeing *yet* but I know it's only a matter of time. Love the variegated blue yarn you dyed.
Brilliant article which I'm looking forward to digesting further in due course. I've used Koolaid but that's all, will be trying other methods and dyes in due course! I particularly enjoyed seeing your 'front-room solutions' such as the two door handles!!!
I just read your knitty article and loved it. I can relate to wrangling the toddler away! I have a question about the wilton dye: is it the frosting colors? Doesn't that have sugar in it? Or am I looking at the wrong stuff?
Hello! I also enjoyed your article. I had finally just started reading my download of your November posts on the subject, so--good timing! ;)
I do have a question: Did you find it *necessary* to soak the yarn overnight? I couldn't find comments about whether you had tried shorter soak times. I have dyed with Kool-Aid using soak times of a couple hours or so, which worked well with that yarn. Just wondered what your experience with that was, or what your opinion would be.
Hope Florida is enhancing your healing process!
Hey Julie! I've been reading for a long time.
I love dying yarn, but thusfar have only used KoolAid.
Your article was fabulous.
Oh, and your baby makes my ovaries ache :)
DeeDee F
The dyeing article is great!! I have skeins of yarn just sitting here waiting so your article is very timely. LOVE the picture of your kitty in your lap!! Mine does that, also. I can't get anything done but don't have the heart to shoo him away!
I loved your Knitty article! I've also been experimenting with food dyes and Koolaid and have encountered some of the same things as you have. I have a post on my blog, www.geckogrrl.wordpress.com about dying roving in a crockpot with food dyes. Thanks for the reminders and the inspiration to keep doing it!
I've been reading your blog for a while and really was impressed with your knitty article. I look forward to trying the oven method.
I have read your blog a few times and then lost you. Glad to have found you again.
I swore that I had no interest in dying yarn. Then that all changed when I read your article. Knowing that I already have the Wilton food coloring and that I love candy kind of colors has made me rethink this. I will check out where I can get some inexpensive fingering wool and give it a try. Thanks alot for adding to my obsession. (Just Kidding)
Loved the article.
I, also, have been dyeing a lot lately. I've been doing both Wilton and Kool Aide. I've been doing the cold pour but with a microwave instead, but will definately try the dip dye. I absolutely love all the colors you chose!! Thanks for making it so easy. Oh, and you have a new blog reader.
Hiya, loved the article and had a go myself. The results were interesting to say the least. Thanks for the push to finally take the dive in the dyepot.
Hi,
Just popped over from Knitty - what a great introduction to dyeing...I dye fabrics for my quilts and have thought about dyeing yarn, your explanation leaves NOTHING to the imagination, which is more than I can say for other articles on yarn dyeing I've read! Thanks!
I also enjoy dying using kool-aid. It already has just enough acid in it from the vitamin C that all I have to do is prep the yarn and go. My kids do gripe about the smell of cooking wool and kool-aid. (Oh the angst!)
HELLO and thanks for the Knitty article. I have 3 skeins of "bare" yarn I've been tempted to dye, but was unsure where to start. You've given me a new found respect for yarn dyers and for now, I just may leave my undyed skeins in my stash.
Thanks for the great explanation about hand dyeing. I'm bound to get dye on the floor, but now that I know it's relatively easy, I think I'll try it.
Your yarn is gorgeous!
Love the article and the yarn is great. I have been kicking around the idea of dyeing some yarn but was too intimidated until I read the article. Kudos to you for all of the time and trouble in making it look so easy for us. I am adding your blog to my blog list. Thanks again, Jules
love the dyeing article!
Great article! Sorry I am so behind in my blog reading, just started a new job. The only perk? I get to knit on my lunch hours. Can't argue with that!!! :)
I loved your article. I've never tried dyeing because of the safety issues and the expense, but this method sounds more manageable.
Thanks for the article in Knitty! I've started to haunt thrift shops looking for crockpots. :) I so want to try the dip-dye method, using Wilton's Rose.
HI I really enjoyed your article -I have just started dying , have my first pot of onion skins cooking and my wilton dyes waiting for mon or tues -I printed of your article for reference-can't wait!!
pat jarvis
uhm, I liked your knitty article, and I like the way your yarn looks, and if you exclude my from the competition because of how utterlame-ass my comment is, I won't blame you.
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