Crochet

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Dye-ing To Crochet – Part One

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cro easter egg dye yarn 0913

My friend Rita is the Queen of Yarn Dying.  Really!  She buys the ugliest (well, maybe unprettiest) skeins of wool sock yarn, takes them home to her dye pots, and produces exquisitely colored, beautiful yarns and projects crocheted and knitted with them.  She started with kool-aid but has progressed to using other dyes, mostly food coloring.  Since she starts with a yarn that is already imbued with color, she does not need to use more than one dye pot per skein.  But, she has achieved some truly amazing color variations depending on the ‘dip’ of the yarn.  The first dip will produce a yarn of the color of the kool-aid.  However, the second or third dip of that same batch of dye results in different colors.  A bright blue (BooBerry) first dip will produce a bright blue yarn.  The second dip might produce something that is on the purple side.  The third dip could be a dusty blue.  She has a background in chemistry, so she theorizes that different pigments in the kool-aid powder are grabbed by the wool at different times.  Once the bright blue pigment has been slurped up by the wool, the base color(s) remain and may be absorbed by the wool to achieve a different color.  All theory – but correct theory or not, those are the results she obtains.  And, the results are 100% of the time an improvement over the yarn colorway she started with.

I have been wanting to dye some yarn but I have a major problem.  My kitchen is carpeted!  (Don’t ask.)  I am so afraid I’ll wind up with a huge indelible patch of blue in the middle of my brown and gray carpet.  That would be hard to live with and even more difficult to fix.  So, I enjoy yarn dyeing vicariously through Rita and her frequent dye pot experiments.

But, not being able to do it myself has not prevented me from researching this subject. Stay tuned and you’ll soon see some of Rita’s handy work and some more information about using various dyes to improve your yarns.

Looking for more Easter themed Crochet patterns? Check out some of our favorite places for Crochet patterns. Etsy. has lots of new patterns and the perfect place to find Crochet patterns that are trending or seasonal. We also love  Anniescatalog   for buying individual patterns and a great place to source vintage styled designs and last but not least,  Leisure Arts for more traditional styled patterns and books.

 

 

Comments

  1. I enjoy hearing about Rita’s dyeing “experiments”. The shawl pictured is beautiful! I’ve wanted to try dyeing with kool-aid. It sounds easy, but I’ve never really done ANY dyeing before, so I’m a bit scared. Looking forward to part 2 of your series!!

  3. I am a spinner and I just acquired a deep thirst for the dyeing of the yarn….I want to know more. Rita’s colors in the shawl is amazing. I would like to be as good as her someday.

Have you read?

Vintage Crochet Baby Dress Pattern Review

There is something especially charming about a vintage baby dress pattern, and this Crocheted Cutie Dress #3112 has all the details that make older crochet designs so appealing.

The dress features a neatly shaped bodice, short sleeves, contrast stripes and a full lace skirt with a scalloped finish. It has that classic heirloom look without feeling overly formal, which makes it suitable for birthdays, family photos, baby showers or simply as a special handmade outfit.

One of the nicest things about this design is the balance between the structured upper section and the much softer, more decorative skirt. The bodice is worked in a simple repeating texture, while the skirt opens into a detailed lace pattern that gives the dress plenty of movement and fullness. The white trim around the neckline, sleeves and hem also helps define the shape beautifully.

The pattern includes instructions for sizes 1 and 2, with the second size shown in parentheses throughout. As with many vintage patterns, the sizing does not line up neatly with modern age labels, so it is important to check the gauge and finished proportions rather than relying on the size number alone.

This would be best suited to an intermediate crocheter, or a confident beginner who is comfortable reading traditional pattern instructions. The design uses chain stitches, single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, colour changes, shaping, repeated lace sections and separate pieces that are sewn together during finishing.

The sleeves and collar are made separately and attached to the completed bodice. The back is finished with three buttons, giving the dress a practical opening while keeping the front clean and decorative.

The original version uses pink and white mercerized crochet cotton, but the design works beautifully in more modern combinations too. Sage and cream give it a soft botanical feel, lemon and white make it fresh and summery, while orange and ivory create a much warmer retro look.

Because the pattern was originally written for vintage crochet cotton and a steel hook, I would strongly recommend making a gauge swatch before beginning. Modern threads and hook-sizing systems can vary, and the bodice needs to fit correctly before the lace skirt is added.

The professionally reformatted PDF is much easier to follow than an unedited scan. It keeps the original stitch counts and construction while improving spacing and readability. It also includes a modern mockup and the original vintage reference image, which is helpful when visualising the finished shape.

Overall, this is a lovely pattern for anyone who enjoys making vintage-inspired baby clothes. The lace skirt is the real highlight, but the striped bodice and matching collar give the finished dress a polished, complete look.