Dec 13

A Quick Guide to Kool-Aid Dying

I found dying this batch of yarn to be even easier than the first batch and so I thought I’d show you how it’s done.p1010001

Procure some Kool-aid.  Be aware that the tropical punch Kool-aid is not blue; the blue packaged Kool-aid twist is the blue Kool-aid.  And the two oranges are the same color, so you just need to choose one.

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Procure some 100% wool yarn and untwist the skein.  Then make sure both ends are tied (that’s what the pink yarn is for).

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Now, here’s the tricky part.  You’re going to be putting wool yarn in hot water and, because of that, you’re running the danger of felting.  So, ALWAYS add your yarn to the hot water and do not move it around more than necessary.  So, obviously, fill your sink with water as hot as you can stand, and put your yarn in it.  Let it sit for fifteen or twenty minutes.

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Meanwhile, put three packets of the same color Kool-aid into a cup of warm water to make some liquid dye.  Note the microwave-friendly containers behind the mugs.  For the dying stage, you want to keep things as wet as possible.  So, next curl up one (or two) skeins in each container and…

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Pour on your Kool-aid.  You can also sprinkle on color as the inspiration strikes you.  Keep in mind that, like traditional tie-dying, you’ll have a lot of white on the parts where the Kool-aid can’t reach.

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Do up another batch as well.  Cover both with plastic wrap.  Put one in the microwave for two minutes.  When it’s done, take it out and let it rest and put the other one in.  In a good microwave, each batch should only take two two-minute cycles.  You’re looking to see if the water is now clear.  Once it is, your stuff is dyed.

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Now, you’re going to fill up the other side of your sink with hot water and dump your yarn into it to get rid of any excess Kool-aid that might still be on the yarn.

Then you’re just going to hang them outside to dry.

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Which may involve twisting your ankle on the root of the damn hackberry tree.  In that case, you may have to go to more creative lengths to dry your yarn.

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13 thoughts on “A Quick Guide to Kool-Aid Dying”

  1. And then you set your house afire…no, hopefully not. But that would be my luck.

    Your afghan is going to be beautiful.

  6. My understanding is that it’s got to be animal hair of some sort, that cotton won’t take the dye. BUT, on the other hand, Fruit Loops for sure aren’t made out of hair and they stay colored by the same colors in Kool-aid so it might be worth experimenting with on whatever natural fiber you have.

    Last year my mom and I dyed cotton yarn with just plain old Rit dye and the colors were a little muted but it was just as simple as any other tie-dying I’ve ever done.

    And I just love using yarn I’ve dyed to make afghans out of.

  8. So you’re saying I should play around with the fibres of my choice and report back?

    hmm…Maybe after Christmas… (Yeah right.)

  9. Since we’re on the topic- – – I have some drapes that are 85% cotton and 15% polyester. Do you suppose they are cotton rich enough to use RIT on or am I stuck with their not-quite-right color forever?

  11. I love that last image. Remember when we would make a fire in our super-tiny fireplace on Polo Road? It would only hold like one half of a Duraflame log or something, but, man, we milked it for all it was worth. We had a great Christmas in that house as I recall. Popcorn garland on our little tree, warm spiced cider on the stove, white lights everywhere. *Sigh* Can’t wait to see you next week!

  12. Hurray! I cannot wait to see you guys either. Did we settle on a day? I can’t remember.

    I hope the Butcher is cleaning for your pending arrival.

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