Dyeing Wool
Dyeing wool fibers is easy and lots of fun!
You will be amazed at the range of colors you can get by using things you may have in your kitchen. Our favorite items to dye are our Aristocrats Wool Diaper covers. However, we have had success (and fun!) dyeing wool hats, scarves and mittens as well.
Kool Aid, Wilton Gel Cake Dyes, Paas Easter Egg Dyes, food coloring, and unsweetened Jello will all work to dye your wool beautiful colors.
We will start with Kool Aid because it is very easy to work with and once you have tried it, you will have the confidence to try some of the other types of wool-safe dyes. You can look at our completed projects and even add your own here.
What you need:
Protein fiber such as: sheep’s wool, alpaca, mohair, silk
Unsweetened Kool Aid packets
Water
White Vinegar
Rubber Gloves (optional)
Process:
Soak wool in 1 gallon of warm water and 1 cup of vinegar until fibers are thoroughly wet – about 10 minutes.
To start, combine 1 packet of Unsweetened Kool Aid with one cup water and 1/3 cup of vinegar. The amount of water that you use will affect the brightness of the color. To test the color, submerge a small amount of wool yarn in the dye. You can make the color more vibrant by adding more Kool Aid, and mute it by adding more water. Once you are satisfied with your color, you may need to mix additional dye solution. depending on how much wool you are going to dye. I have dyed an entire soaker with three packs of Kool Aid, three cups of water and one cup of vinegar, and longies with six packs of Kool Aid, six cups of water and two cups of vinegar. My colors were very vibrant (see gallery).
To create a solid color, add the wet wool to the dye mixture. Allow the dye to saturate the wool for about 10 minutes. I have found that it is easiest to dye an entire wool garment such as a soaker or longies in a shallow dish. I like to dye yarn in drinking glasses. Continue to set directions.
To dye yarn in multiple colors, it is best to start with your lightest color first. Dip the wool into the dye mixture up to about a ½ an inch before you want the color to stop (the yarn will act as a wick and draw the dye up). Let it sit about 5 to 10 minutes in the dye mixture checking regularly for your desired color. Carefully remove the wool and add the undyed part to the second color. To dye a soaker or longies multiple colors, it is best to hand paint the dye with either a paint brush or eye dropper.When you have achieved your desired colors, continue to set directions.
Set Directions
You will need to set the dye with heat. This can be done using a microwave or on top of the stove. To set your dye in the microwave place the yarn or garment in a microwave safe dish covered with plastic wrap. Small amounts of yarn can be set in as little as 30 seconds; garments can take as long as two minutes. You will know that the dye is set because there will be clear (or milky) liquid at the bottom of the dish. You should watch the microwave closely while the garment is heating. To set the dye on the stove, slowly simmer the garment in the dye bath for about 20 minutes or until the water turns clear (or milky).
Once the dye is set, allow the wool to cool naturally. It is important not to shock the wool with extreme temperature changes or it can felt. Once the wool has completely cooled, rinse it gently in tepid water, roll it in a towel to absorb excess moisture, and allow to dry on a flat surface.