Our 11-year old granddaughter stayed with us over the weekend. We went to Blackwater Falls near Davis, West Virginia, and walked to the falls. It was a crisp, sunny day. A bit chilly for our picnic but by sitting in the sun we managed to stay comfortable.
After we got home, Jayne and I dyed some Knit Picks Stroll fingering-weight yarn using Easter egg dye and some food coloring. We soaked the yarn in water with three tablespoons of white vinegar before we left in the morning so it would be ready for us when we came home.
She decided on teal, purple and pink dyes alternating the colors all the way around the oval of yarn. I bought some 20ml syringes to apply the dye. They worked much better than the cheap squeeze bottles I used before. The syringes did not leak or drip.
Once all the dye was on the yarn, we wrapped it in plastic wrap and placed the bundle in a glass dish. Then we microwaved it for two minutes, let it cool anywhere from 5-15 minutes, and repeated that process for a total of four times to heat set the dye. (I was so involved that I forgot to take more pictures. Oops!)
When the yarn was cool, she rinsed it thoroughly in warm to cool water with a little bit of clear soap. The yarn absorbed most of the dye and she only had a small amount of purple dye wash out. By Sunday morning the yarn was ready to wind into a ball.
I’ve already started knitting a pair of Helen Stewart’s Dorsal Fin socks (her choice) for her with the yarn she dyed.
Knitting In Flashes 
I love this! I have been spinning yarn on a drop spindle for the first time, and I have some ready to dye. I was thinking about trying Kool-aid but I need to research if it holds. I should maybe just order some of the acid dyes. Your yarn turned out beautiful. I’d try Easter egg dye, but I may have to wait until Easter to get it. 🙂
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Good to hear that you are spinning! I haven’t tried that…yet.
Food coloring works great but the colors can be very bright. I think I will need to invest in some “real” dues soon so I can get other colors.
Just an FYI – Mr. Aitch wasn’t very happy with the vinegar and wet wool smell emanating from the microwave. But I boiled some water In the microwave with a shake or two of cinnamon when we were finished to help clear the air. 😳
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Have you compared your childhood pictures to hers? Wow, do I see your face in her! Even that eyebrow. Hi Jayne!
Can’t wait to see the finished socks!
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That was a great day of memories!!! You’re a wonderful Nona!
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I love that yarn. It is so perfect for a young girl.
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Oh, pretty! How is it knitting up?
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It’s not pooling but the stitch pattern running up the back of the leg isn’t as obvious as in the solid/tonal yarn. I will have pics on Monday…assuming I can take some on Sunday.
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I look forward to seeing them. 😊
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