Thursday, April 6, 2017

How To Dye Speckled Yarn By Breaking Wilton's Violet


Hello! Last week I had so much fun dying speckled yarn with Easter egg dye (click here for the written instructions and the video tutorial) that I decided to dye more speckled yarn by breaking Wilton's Violet, one of my favorite yarn dying techniques! Scroll down for the written instructions and the video tutorial.

Breaking violet with vinegar is so much fun and so easy to do! I love it! Instead of having speckles of just violet, there are speckles of blues, purples and pinks! For more information on breaking violet in a dye bath, click here for my blog and video.





How To Dye Speckled Yarn By Breaking Violet

Materials

- Yarn made from at least 75% animal fiber. (I used 50 grams of white 100% wool yarn)
- Wilton's Violet (I used about 1/8 teaspoon)
- 2 tablespoons of hot water
- A fork
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 5 cups of water
- Good quality plastic wrap
- Dish detergent
- Optional: Gloves

Instructions

In a bowl, add 5 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Stir.

Soak the yarn in the water and vinegar for at least 30 mins or overnight.

Lay out plastic wrap on a clean work surface.

Mix 2 tablespoons of hot water and 1/8 teaspoon of Wilton's violet in a bowl or jar. If you are using more than 50 grams of yarn, you may need more. (I use a jar so that if I have leftover dye, I can put a lid on it and use it again.)

Remove the yarn from the water and vinegar and gently squeeze out the excess water. It should be wet but not dripping wet.
Do not wring out the yarn, you do not want it to felt and get fuzzy.

Lay the yarn out on the plastic wrap.

Take the fork, dip it in the watered down Wilton's violet and start applying the dye randomly on the yarn.

After the first side is finished, flip the yarn over and apply dye to that side.

Pull the yarn apart and check your work. Add more dye if needed.

Fold the plastic wrap over the yarn and roll the yarn into a ball.

Microwave on high in 1-2 minute intervals until the yarn is hot to the touch. (I microwaved mine twice for 1 minute each.)

Let the yarn cool, (I waited about 1.5 hours.) Microwave on high in 1-2 minute intervals until the yarn is hot to the touch. (Again I microwaved mine twice for 1 minute each.)

Let the yarn cool completely. (I waited a couple of hours.) Unwrap the yarn and gently wash it in
luke-warm water with some dish soap until the water runs clear.

Gently squeeze out the excess water with your hands or lay the yarn in a folded towel and press out the excess water. (This is the method that I used.)

Hang the yarn to dry for 24 hours or until the yarn is completely dry. (I hang mine on the rack that I hang my clothes that can't be dried with a towel under it to catch any excess water that may drip.)

Wind the yarn into a cake and start crocheting or knitting with your beautiful speckled yarn!


I hope ya'll liked this video tutorial! If you dye your own speckled yarn, I would LOVE to see! Post pictures to my facebook page or tag me on instagram @_with_alex

If you have any suggestions for future videos please let me know in the comments below or email me at: withalexofficial@gmail.com

I hope ya'll are having a wonderful day!

Soft hugs and Never Give Up! <3Alex