Toning it Down: Over-Dyed Commercial Wool
| Have you ever looked at a yarn in your stash and wondered what on earth ever possessed you to buy it? This is the story of how I turned my hideous op shop (charity store) faux pas into an attractive and usable yarn.
Now, put on your sun glasses, because here is the "before" picture :)
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No combination of plain yarns, attractive stitch patterns, or even hiding it in the cupboard could detract from the screaming brightness of this monstrosity. It had to be toned down! I decided to dye it blue, hopefully the greens would tone down and I'd be left with a variegated blue/brown/green/purple yarn.
1: First, I washed the 225gms of wool in hot water (very carefully) and dishwashing detergent. I couldn't believe my eyes when a great deal of dirt washed out and the yarn became even brighter!
2: Next, I mixed a solution of one quarter teaspoon blue Ashford brand acid dye & half a teaspoon of navy blue. I dissolved the dye in hot water and added 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the solution. I then added enough water to fill the jar I was mixing the dye in (a total of about 300mls).
3: Next, I put enough water to cover the yarn in a microwave proof container. I removed the yarn, added the dye and stirred.
4: Next I added the yarn again, making sure it was totally immersed in
the dye and cooked it on high in the
microwave for 6-8 minutes, in 2 minute bursts with 2 minutes
between, checking
at regular intervals to pick the skeins up out of the dye and place them
back in carefully so that the dye would be taken up evenly.
5: I rinsed, spun the water out in my washing machine, and here is the result!
Note: If you're dyeing a delicate yarn that will felt easily, let the dye bath cool down before removing the yarn.
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