All of these tests were done using Red Heart Heart & Sole (fingering weight, 70% Wool, 30% Nylon) in original colorway 315 Ivory; each 5g miniskein maths out to about 20ish yards...
but look at me talking, when there's science to do.
OPERATION DARK SOLID with KOOL-AID
- soak miniskein in hot water 20 min
- mix 1.33 cups dye solution (3 parts water/1 part white vinegar) with 1g special secret Kool-Aid mix (3 parts tropical punch/2 parts grape) -- theoretically, twice as much Kool-Aid as I need for this amount of yarn -- and pour over yarn in 2-cup microwavable measuring cup
- nuke 7 minutes (in 2-min intervals) until water is clear (forgot to let rest between, oooooops)
- rinse in hot water, allow to dry overnight
- clean microwave, consider destroying photographic evidence of dirty microwave, decide on judicious cropping
- skein dry yarn and hug it
OPERATION FAUX-GRADIENT with KOOL-AID
- wind miniskein into loose ball; soak in hot water 20 min
- mix 3 cups dye solution (3 parts water/1 part white vinegar) with 1g special secret Kool-Aid mix (3 parts tropical punch/2 parts grape) -- again, 2x what is needed for yarn weight
- heat dye mix in saucepan until almost-boil
- simmer wet yarn ball in hot dye mix, stirring/trying not to unwind
- at 26 minutes, notice that ball is taking no more dye; remove from heat, let sit 5 minutes
- rinse in hot water, drape into skein loops without burning hands or tangling (!), allow to dry overnight
- skein dry yarn and hug it
OPERATION THATSA SPICY MINISKEIN with PAPRIKA
- soak miniskein in hot water 20 min
- mix 3 cups dye solution (3 parts water/1 part white vinegar) with 1 tablespoon paprika (why that much? why not?/go big or go home/the whole world is watching)
- heat dye mix in saucepan until almost-boil
- simmer wet yarn in hot dye mix, stirring gently very occasionally
- remove from heat after 45 minutes, let sit 5 minutes
- rinse in hot water, allow to dry
- skein dry yarn and hug it
OPERATION LONG REPEATS with BLACK TEA and KOOL-AID
- wind miniskein into looooong repeats using kitchen island; soak in hot water 30 min
- prepare Kool-Aid dye: mix 3 cups dye solution (3 parts water/1 part white vinegar) with .5g special secret Kool-Aid mix (3 parts tropical punch/2 parts grape)
- prepare tea dye: steep 3 bags of tea (I chose a peach-flavored black tea -- why 3? dunno!) in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes; add 1/3 cup vinegar
- pour dyes into separate microwave-safe measuring cups, place side by side in spotless microwave, and put 50% of the skein into each vessel
- nuke 9 minutes (in 2-min intervals, resting 2 min between) until water is clearish; there may be some nudging to make sure the yarn between the cups is also dyed
- rinse in hot water, allow to dry (shown with good buddy Thatsa Spicy Miniskein)
- skein dry yarn and hug it
There may be some more SCIENCE in the near future, but for now---
what should I knit with these?
2 comments:
Totally more scientific than any of my attempts!
I'm definitely going to try your method with the loose ball. That effect is very cool.
This looks totally rad!! I want to try some yarny science! Socks would be totally awesome with the hand-dyed yarns.
Post a Comment