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4/4/2004 11:13:19 AM
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benne
Posts 19258
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That`s a swell hat and I love the dye job. Now I want to go in the kitchen and play, not cook! :}
Benne
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4/4/2004 2:37:31 PM
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jeanflores
Posts 2658
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Very cute, Heather! Makes me want to play in the dye pot too!! Fun, fun, fun!
I just got the book "Dyeing in Plastic Bags" last week. I should go play tomorrow.
Peace,
Jean
Ansbach, Germany
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4/4/2004 5:08:32 PM
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Guest
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Thanks so much for the kind words. I felt inspired to show this beany after reading the post regarding the dying.
Last summer I solar dyed by using Jacquard acid dye(not as dangerous as it sounds). It`s not as messy in the kitchen and the results are fantastic. Plus you can pull out the fiber when you achieve the color you want, and if there is still color in the water you can add more fiber, until you exhaust the dye bath.
I must say that I read the posting in the chat center when I can and have enjoyed reading the biographies. You all are so talented and amazing. I wish I could say that I had been knitting since I was a wee one. But I just taught myself to knit about two years ago. Started off with learning how to do socks. My mother said I was crazy to start with something so seemingly complicated. But I didn`t realize that they were at the time. I`ve been hooked ever since. So thanks for letting me put my novice two cents in every once in awhile. And again thanks for the kind words.
Heather
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4/4/2004 5:33:08 PM
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Sandra D
Posts 4496
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Heather, love that beanie, looks like it is made from some expensive handpainted yarn! To get the variable colors do you dip portions of the yarn hank in different dye pots?
Sandra
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4/4/2004 5:34:22 PM
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benne
Posts 19258
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You taught yourself to knit, that has to be harder than having someone teach you and you started out with socks, I`m impressed. I want to know how you space dyed your yarn. I have never dyed anything for fun except Easter eggs and you all have got me fired up wanting to try it. Please don`t say you`re a novice, Heather, as if that`s a bad thing. First of all, you are obviously talented and creative and nobody here cares how long you`ve been knitting, we all just like to share the fun and second, I highly suspect anyone who starts out with socks is not a novice two years later. We all have different skill levels but that doesn`t matter at all. There are many more accomplished knitters here than I am but I just admire their skill and hope to learn from them and share their friendship. Please don`t hesitate to "put your two cents worth in," we all want to hear what you have to say. All the different voices, including yours, is what makes this place so special.
So I still want to know how you did your hat.:}
Benne
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4/4/2004 7:07:40 PM
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Guest
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Benne, Thanks so much. You have flatterd me and made me smile. After reading what you wrote I am actually considering adding my bio to the bio page.???
Anyway on to the dyeing. I don`t like real complicated processes, so I try and make it as simple on myself as possible. Since the yarn I used in the hat was my first attempt at dyeing I kept notes. Here are the measurements I used. Please remember that this is a very forgiving way of dyeing. So these are just guidlines.
First make a hank tied loosely in four places. Second soak the yarn for 25 minutes in a large mixing bowl filled with 4.5 cups tepid water, 3/4 cup vinegar and 2 oz of wool(I divided the skein of yarn I had). While the yarn was soaking make up dye solutions. I used clear drinking glasses. Dip popsicle sticks in the dye to get it out of the containers. In the glasses mix 2 tblsp white vinegar, 3/4 cup of water and then swish the popsicle in the water mixture. I used delphinium dipped in popsicle about 1", sky blue dipped popsicle in about 1", and yellow dipped in popsicle to 1.5". After the yarn has soaked gently squeeze out the excess water. I happened to have a stainless sink at the time and laid the wet yarn in the sink. A porcelain sink will work but will be colorful for awhile. Then simply spoon the colors on to the yarn. The yarn takes the dye quickly and if the yarn is sufficiently(sp)wet the colors begin to bleed. I let them. Use up the solutions, making sure that all the yarn gets covered. I used my hands to squish the dye into the yarn, to make sure the yarn was saturated. Wrap the yarn in plastic wrap, place it on a plate, and place it in the microwave for 3 minutes. Remove the yarn from microwave, loosen wrap and let cool until you are able to handle the yarn. Rinse in tepid water and let dry. Ta da!
I have used this process on other yarns and have not been so precise in the measuremenst and have been successful. Instead of using glasses you can also use hair color bottles. If you have a beauty supply place nearby they sell these for a pittance. You could also put the icing tint straight on the wet yarn, just maybe add a little vinegar directly to the yarn adn color. I have found that this process doesn`t work so well on fiber for spinning, such as roving. The colors come out really light. I`m sure there are other and improved ways of using this medium, but this is what has worked for me.
Good Luck!
Heather
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4/4/2004 7:29:39 PM
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benne
Posts 19258
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Heather, yes, yes, please add your bio! We all want to know you better.:}
I copied and printed your directions, who knows what will end up dyed before I`m through? I *do* have a yellow and white tomcat named Jinx who really should be some other color more fitting to his name and since he`s such a snotty kitty sometimes he really should be a power color.lol
Thanks for taking the time to give us your directions.
I wonder what color everybody`s kitchen, hands and clothes will be this time next week?
Benne
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4/5/2004 1:38:31 AM
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jeanflores
Posts 2658
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AMEN!! What she said! lol. Seriously! You started with SOCKS?!! Pfft. Show off! lol. Who cares how long you`ve been knitting. **That`s** impressive! SOCKS?! I`d been knitting for probably 12 years before I tried socks! Keep participating! We really appreciate your creativity!
Peace,
Jean
Ansbach, Germany
Ansbach, Germany
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4/5/2004 4:44:28 AM
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Les
Posts 4243
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Beautiful job on the beanie. I love the little top knot and have made this hat in several sizes with leftover wool in the past. They`re fun aren`t they!
Okay, I`m a little dense!! What do you mean, in your instructions re: "I used used delphinium dipped in popsicle about 1", sky blue dipped popsicle in about 1". I don`t understand the "dipped in about 1" " part.
This dying process sounds just like what I would have done when I lived at home as a kid and my parents went out for a walk.............. if only I`d known how then!! (see postings 3/31/04 need a laugh today)
And please do get your bio up!!
Lesley
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4/5/2004 8:55:59 AM
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Guest
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Les, you`re right the beanie is fun to knit. I wish I could have figured out how to have made it larger. I would have made one for myself this winter. This was supposed to be for my new nephew. But I didn`t get it sent and now I think the boy`s probably twenty lol. Just kidding he`s only a year now.
Jeanflores, I wasn`t aware that socks were supposed to be difficult lol. So I didn`t have that whole reality fear thing of working with 4 to 5 needles. I hadn`t worked with two before. So 4-5 didn`t sound any harder. Since I did start with socks I now actually prefer to knit with more needles. The work seems to progress faster. Right now I`m working on a tank top and it seems to be taking forever. Plus I`m using a 4/2 cotton on a size 4 needle and the lambs and kids were dropping, so that might also be the reason.
As far as the dye. The Wilton`s comes in a small container and is gel like. In order to have some control on how much color you use you can dip a popsicle stick in the color. I measured an 1/2" from the end of the stick and dipped the stick into the color up to the line. I then dipped the stick again to get about 1" worth. The Wilton`s is sticky so it clings to the stick. If you feel that you aren`t getting enough color you can stir the stick in the color. Yellow can come out light, so that is why I did basically three dips up to my 1/2" mark, i.e. 1.5" of yellow.
Hope this helps clear things up.
Everyone have a great day!
Heather
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4/5/2004 10:31:25 AM
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Les
Posts 4243
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heather - I found the patterns on the net and made preemie, newborn and adult sizes. I had patterns for the preemie and newborn but I just increased the # of stitches on each needle, evenly and played with it. didn`t have a particular sized head in mind, i was just using leftover yarn. of course i didn`t write what I did down!!!! that would make subsequent hats just too darned easy!!
Les
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4/5/2004 4:15:41 PM
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Guest
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Heather, that`s so awesome that you started with socks. I did, too, and I really think they`re a great beginner project because you learn so many techniques that translate into bigger projects later. Plus, they`re small enough that you get a sense of accomplishment pretty quickly. I love the beanie and the dye job-- it looks fantastic. :)
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4/5/2004 8:25:18 PM
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Sandra D
Posts 4496
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Heather,
Benne described the spirit of this place very well--a generous sharing of ideas, knowledge and enthusiasm for the craft and it doesn`t matter how long one has been at it. Plus you certainly aren`t a novice when it comes to yarn dying or socks. I`ve only done two sample socks and they weren`t even a matching pair, lol. Thanks for your clear directions on space dying--I feel like I could do it if my kitchen sink was ever clear of dishes!
Sandra
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4/5/2004 8:45:23 PM
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Guest
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Hey Rene, I agree that it does give you a chance to experience different techniques. And I also liked the fact that you can get a feeling of accomplishment. Kitchner stitch did take me a moment to get. I read in a book that the best way to do Kitchner is to go somewhere that no one can disturb. You know , turn off the phone, put earplugs in tie up the kids, tranquilize the cats and dogs and ask the hubby to go to the store for milk. Once I read that, and secluded myself in my room, I was able to get it. Of course when my DH asks where I`ve disappeared to, my son just says mom`s doing socks.
Sandra, I have quickly found out how wonderful you all are. You all have given me a renewed belief in my abilities. And as far as the sink being clear of dishes... maybe they need to be a new color?lol
Heather
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