i’ve been dyeing yarn like crazy the last few weeks (mostly food coloring, some kool-aid), and knitting some hats with some of the results. like these:
all the yarn is either from knittn kitten, which is a “craft thrift store” (so i think the yarn can be considered “recycled” since it’s secondhand) or from frogged sweaters. the last two days i’ve been frogging some sweaters i found at the bins the other night, and i’m pretty excited about a new method i’ve just tried. one sweater was a nice beige, perfect for dyeing, and soft wool, but super fine yarn. so i plied it! first, i dyed two separate strands, each one with 3 colors striping, then i plied them with my drop spindle. here are the awesome results:
i’m so excited to start knitting with it tomorrow when the twist is all set and it’s dry. and tomorrow after work i’ll be frogging my best bins find of all:
if you can’t read it on the tag, that’s 90% wool, 10% angora, perfect weight (bulkier than most sweaters i find, yay!) and white for dyeing. and it even has three cute buttons on one shoulder that i can use for projects. the only thing i don’t like about it is that it’s a child’s size – i want more yarn! it’s so soft!!!!
i have one question for any portland readers out there: do you know of a grocery store in town (preferably southeast) that has a good kool-aid selection? the main reason i’ve been dyeing with food coloring lately is that my local safeway has only shades of red kool-aid, and i think orange and grape and nothing else. i want blue, and green! i loved the blue especially, very different from the food coloring blue.
oh i should mention, i am working on another free blog hat pattern. it will probably be posted within the next couple weeks.
Lee Does Stuff 
You are such a freakin’ genius! That plied yarn is gorgeous.
You might try Fred Meyer for the Kool-Aid. When I went there for Kool-Aid to dye homemade clay, they had red, orange, purple, green, and even some unholy blue flavor.
Besides, the sooner you become fiercely addicted to Freddy’s, the sooner you’ll be a true Portlander. 🙂
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You are such a freakin’ genius! That plied yarn is gorgeous.
You might try Fred Meyer for the Kool-Aid. When I went there for Kool-Aid to dye homemade clay, they had red, orange, purple, green, and even some unholy blue flavor.
Besides, the sooner you become fiercely addicted to Freddy’s, the sooner you’ll be a true Portlander. 🙂
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That is so. cool. I have always wanted to try that! stupid day job.
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Love all the recycled yarn and the hats are great!
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Love all the recycled yarn and the hats are great!
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i would also try ordering some blue and green kool-aid online (i’ve seen it on amazon dot com) in singles and in boxes.
if you don’t have any luck at Fred Meyers, try there.
and you’re right about the blues– they have a couple and they are definitely GREAT for dyeing!
the yarn and projects look GREAT!!!
:o)ek.
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i would also try ordering some blue and green kool-aid online (i’ve seen it on amazon dot com) in singles and in boxes.
if you don’t have any luck at Fred Meyers, try there.
and you’re right about the blues– they have a couple and they are definitely GREAT for dyeing!
the yarn and projects look GREAT!!!
:o)ek.
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Fred Meyer, or most other chain grocery stores (I like WinCo foods, but I’m not sure there’s a location in SE PDX) usually
have a good selection.
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Fred Meyer, or most other chain grocery stores (I like WinCo foods, but I’m not sure there’s a location in SE PDX) usually
have a good selection.
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I need to brave the bins more often! I love the hats.
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I need to brave the bins more often! I love the hats.
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Wiltons icing dyes work well for dying wool too. I think Michaels sells it or most bulk food stores ( at least here in Canada)
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Wiltons icing dyes work well for dying wool too. I think Michaels sells it or most bulk food stores ( at least here in Canada)
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Diane is right about Fred Meyer, but Winco or Food-4-Less might be good (there’s a F4L on 82nd & Powell).
Those yarns are fabulous!!
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Diane is right about Fred Meyer, but Winco or Food-4-Less might be good (there’s a F4L on 82nd & Powell).
Those yarns are fabulous!!
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Albertson’s has blues and greens. I found some in Miwaukie. Just a few miles down the road from the Goodwill bins. Love your colors though. I gotta learn how to spin.
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Albertson’s has blues and greens. I found some in Miwaukie. Just a few miles down the road from the Goodwill bins. Love your colors though. I gotta learn how to spin.
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Hi Lee, it’s Dianne from the photo store! Love your store. Going grocery shopping will look for coolaid.
Thanx
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Hi Lee, it’s Dianne from the photo store! Love your store. Going grocery shopping will look for coolaid.
Thanx
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If you haven’t found any Koolaid yet, there is a Winco on SE 82nd south of King Rd. There is the Decorette Shop, a great little cake/candy making shop in SE on Foster and 53rd. They have tons of paste food coloring and are super friendly and helpful.
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If you haven’t found any Koolaid yet, there is a Winco on SE 82nd south of King Rd. There is the Decorette Shop, a great little cake/candy making shop in SE on Foster and 53rd. They have tons of paste food coloring and are super friendly and helpful.
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That is so. cool. I have always wanted to try that! stupid day job.
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