Helen Stewart released the third pattern in the fourth season on the Handmade Sock Society early and that’s OK with me. This is called Wild Bees Socks. The stitch pattern looks like bees and she chose a honey color of yarn.
I’m trying to use stash yarn for as many projects as I can but I didn’t have any color that would work. So I decided to dye a hank of Knit Picks Stroll Bare yarn in a Crockpot/slow cooker using food coloring and Easter egg dye. I’ve tried the microwave method before with great success, however, Mr. Aitch doesn’t like the smell of hot wool and vinegar thus the Crockpot technique. On the deck. Because it was a warm, sunny day.
I didn’t take any pictures of the dyeing process but I added water and vinegar with the yarn and turned it on high. My Crockpot is a small one (3 1/5 quarts) so I only had room for one skein. I added the dye (in three, four, or maybe five batches) while the water was hot. The yarn grabbed the dye as soon as it hit the water.
I got some great golden-yellow tonal yarn. Exactly what I wanted.
You can see the various tints, shades, and hues ranging from pale yellow to golden yellow to pale apricot and a bit of brownish yellow.
I couldn’t wait for the yarn to dry to cast-on this sock pattern.
Here are two repeats of the pattern already. Blocking will be key to this pattern to even out the yarn-overs so the “bees” stand out more.
I love how the plain back shows off all the tones of the yarn.
I think I have 15-20 more skeins of yarn I could dye. So many options. Plus Easter egg dyes should be on sale after Sunday! That’s a great time to snag some great deals on non-toxic dyes.
Have you dyed before?
Knitting In Flashes 
Great idea, the yarn turned out really beautiful. The colour is perfect for the pattern.
Happy Easter time!
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Beeeeeautiful and another amazing project.
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That color is perfect!!
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Outstanding! Love the pattern….you never fail to impress me!
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Gorgeous! I subscribed to KnitCrate about a year ago, the first one was plain yarn and packets of Koolaid to dye with. I didn’t like the colors they sent so I got some blueberry lemon and used that, and it was a lovely turquoise. I made a sort of triangle scarf and sent to a friend, she loved it. That was my only foray into yarn dying!
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That color sounds lovely! KnitCrate? I’ll have to look into that.
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KnitCrate is a monthly subscription box – the yarn is lovely but it became a luxury I couldn’t afford. Maybe at some point in the future I’ll start it again
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Yes, I checked it out. I’m trying to cut down on my yarn (fabric, beading, printing, etc.) stash so adding more is not wise for me at this time. Plus it appeared expensive.
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It’s $25 a month. You get two skeins of yarn, a pattern book and some little extra like a charm. The yarn is lovely but I just don’t need more till I use some up!
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I have never tried dying. You did a beautiful job!
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I’ve dyed more fabric than yarn, but have only used the microwave method with yarn. With fabric I always did gradient Fat Quarters. And have barely used any of my hand dyeds! There are too precious to use. LOL
Your yarn is gorgeous!!!
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