A big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in their photographs and stories. I hope by sharing other people’s hobbies here on One Hundred Dollars a Month we can all find unique ways to spend our down time in creative and enriching ways. Keep them coming!
Hi Mavis!
Long-time reader here! I love following along on your adventures and can’t wait to see where this next chapter of your life leads you!
I’ve had an almost lifelong love of anything that has to do with yarn. I’ve been crocheting since I was 10-years old (my aunt taught me) and knitting since I was 12 (I taught myself). I’m 61 now. After so many years of knitting, about ten years ago I finally got up the nerve to try knitting a pair of socks. All those sharp, tiny knitting needles sort of scared me, and surely that very thin yarn would take much long to knit than I was willing to spend. Well, I was really wrong about that! Since my first pair, I haven’t knit anything except socks (except I just remembered the bacon scarf I knit for my son, but I’m pretty sure that’s the only thing except socks that I’ve knit).
I’ve also had a lifelong love of color. I can never decide on a favorite color – I love them all! So a few years ago, I wanted to combine my love of color and my love of knitting socks and decided to give dyeing sock yarn a try. Since then, I’ve probably dyed hundreds of skeins of sock yarn.
Because I’ve always dyed in my kitchen and always have pets and/or grandchildren around, I’ve used food coloring exclusively for dyeing. I’ve also used Kool-Aid, with some fun results. Because everything I use is food safe, I don’t need separate pots and utensils to dye, and I don’t have to worry about breathing in the harsh powders of professional dyes. Food coloring and white vinegar are all I needed to get started, and once I dyed my first skein, I’ve never looked back.
My family are all crafty nerds. When we go on family vacations, we always have crafts that we’ve brought to share with everyone else, and we usually end up dyeing yarn as one of our craft activities. Then I spend the next several months knitting up everyone’s yarn into socks. We all have lasting mementos of our vacations, reminding us of the beach and our love for the family members we spent time with.
The technique is simple. Soak some skeined and tied wool yarn (this technique only works with yarn made from mostly protein fibers, such as wool or alpaca) in hot water with a generous amount of white vinegar added. While the yarn is soaking (for about an hour), mix up the dye colors by putting some gel food coloring in a squeeze bottle and then adding hot water to dissolve the dye.
After all the colors are mixed, remove the yarn and squeeze out the excess water. Lay it on some plastic wrap on a table or counter covered with trash bags (to prevent stains from possible dye splashes). Squeeze or drop the colors on the yarn until the desired depth of color is reached) then wrap the yarn in the plastic wrap it is lying on. Microwave it four or five times in two-minute increments, then let cool. Some techniques call for steaming the yarn on a steamer rack over simmering water. I’ve used this technique, but most of the time microwaving works for me, so I only steam the yarn when I’m trying to achieve a certain look, such as speckles created with powdered drink mix or food coloring (which I never knew came in powdered form).
Unwrap the yarn and give it a little wash in the sink in cool water with a few drops of dish detergent or shampoo added. Rinse well and hang to dry. Yarns dyed with food coloring are just as colorfast as yarns dyed with professional dyes, as long as the colors are heat set. There are many detailed videos on YouTube for dyeing yarn using food coloring or drink mix packets.
I’ve recently starting crocheting sock yarn blanks in order to create a yarn that will stripe when knit. Blanks can also be knit, but for me crocheting is quicker, and the results are similar. If I double the yarn when I crochet the blank, I can unravel the crocheting after the dyed blank is dry and be sure that both my socks will have the same stripe pattern. Making the blank is an extra step, but it is much easier to make self-striping yarn in this manner.
I’ve recently branched out with using up my sock yarn since I have so much of it now. I’ve started crocheted sock yarn scrap blankets. So far I’ve made nine and haven’t really made a dent in the amount of yarn I have. I choose the color randomly, and I love how combining all the variegated colors in random stripes. Each blanket is entirely unique!
In summary, knitting and crochet are my hobby passions. No matter what other hobby I’m working on, I always have a yarn project (or several) in the works. Dyeing yarn satisfies my love of combining colors, and I love being able to use the finished yarns for projects that show my love of my family and friends!
Warm regards,
Vicki
Bracelet by Kathy from Artful Accents
If you would like to have your Hobby featured on One Hundred Dollars a Month, here’s what I’m looking for:
- Your hobby has to be submitted as a well written post. A one sentence “I make homemade kites” will not do. Now, 4-5 paragraphs about how you got into kite making, how long you’ve been doing it and the different types of kites you make WILL DO. That’s what I’m looking for! How long have you been doing it? Do you make money off of it or is it just for fun? Can you teach me how to do it?
- Be sure to include a little information about yourself, like your hobby’s backstory and how you got into it. Also, please include your first name and what state or country you are from.
- Your submission MUST have 5 HIGH QUALITY photos attached. You do not have to be a professional photographer, but your photos do need to be clear and well lit or I won’t be able to use them.
- All photos must be original, and they must have been taken by YOU. All photos you submit may be used on One Hundred Dollars A Month once submitted.
- Sadly, I might not be able to use every submission if I am overwhelmed by responses. A $20 Amazon gift card will only be awarded if the submission is published.
- If you have a blog and would like me to link back to it, please let me know, I’d be happy too.
- Although you must submit at least 5 pictures per submission, you can always include more. The more the merrier just in case I do not select them all.
- One submission per person.
- Send submissions via email to onehundreddollarsamonth @ gmail.com {remove the spaces} and be sure and put Show Me Your Hobby in the subject line.
I can’t wait to see all of your fascinating hobbies! Might just encourage me to take up a few new ones.
Hobby on,
~Mavis
Sue R. says
Gorgeous socks!
Vicki says
Thanks, Sue!
Julie says
Oh my! Thank you for sharing! My crochet-nut 16-y-o daughter loves making practically anything from yarn – it’s her “disappear*and*de-stress” hobby. Her cat has a sweater, her water bottles, her bedroom floor, all of her friends have handmade gifts for nearly every holiday. She even traded art for art: She had her Senior pictures done by a photographer who was eager to trade a session for a custom-made black retro dress – crocheted to fit and a totally original pattern!
With this story, I can just see all the packets of spent Kool-aid and hanging yarn in the kitchen now! 😀
Vicki says
Here’s a great resource for dyeing yarn with Kool-Aid: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall02/FEATdyedwool.html
KC says
Do you have a favorite place to get 100% wool undyed sock yarn? (or, er, okay, a cheapest place to get acceptably soft 100% wool sock yarn?)
(and thank you for this fascinating post!)
Vicki says
My favorite sock yarn has some nylon content to help prevent wearing. I normally buy undyed yarn from http://www.knitpicks.com – they also have 100% wool undyed yarn in many weights. Just do a search for their “Bare” line of undyed yarns. Their prices are very reasonable.
And you’re welcome! I’m thrilled that Mavis shared my hobby!
Sea says
Awesome socks! Those look fantastic!!! Love the colors and stripes.
Vicki says
Thanks, Sea! I loved both dyeing the yarn and then seeing how the stripes would knit up.
Vicki says
I love the socks and all the colors. Love the Dog too, is so cute. I bet he or she is a big help!!
Vicki says
Thanks, Vicki! Skippyjon is a big help, especially at unraveling my yarn balls … LOL!
Carrie says
Beautiful! I am an ex-knitter. I have learned three times but I fall off the wagon and forget a few months later. I actually made one and a half socks before, along with many scarfs and washcloths. I should really finish that last sock but I don’t have a clue how to any longer!
I have commitment issues when it comes to crafts but I do love seeing what everyone else is passionate about!
Vicki says
I have plenty of commitment issues when it comes to crafts, too (wire-wrapped beaded sun catchers, I’m looking at you!). Find a video to refresh your memory about knitting your socks – wearing your first pair of hand-knit socks is SUCH a great feeling of accomplishment!
Marcia says
OMG I LOVE THIS SO MUCH
Vicki says
Thanks, Maria! I feel like I’m playing with rainbows when I dye yarn and then knit with it!
Jennifer says
Thank you so much Mavis for starting this new addition to your blog! Because of it I have recently taken crocheting back up and Vicki’s passion has inspiried me more! Such beautiful colors and projects❤️Thank you for sharing!!!
Vicki says
Thank you, Jennifer!
Practical Parsimony says
I never knew food coloring could be used for dying yarn. Can it be used for tie-die? I don’t knit, but I do a little crochet. I love the pretty skeins hanging in the yard.
Vicki says
Thank you! I love hanging freshly dyed skeins in my mulberry tree to dry in the breeze, although if I’m in a hurry, I’ve been known to hang skeins from the headrests in my car with the windows up. Nothing dries yarn quicker than a hot car!
As for tie-dyeing, the acid dyeing technique (using kool-aid or food coloring with vinegar) only works on protein-based fibers such as wool, alpaca or silk (although nylon is the exception to this rule as it accepts acid dyes really well). Other chemicals and dyes are needed to tie-dye cotton t-shirts or other non-protein fibers.
Linda says
Vicki – Love the colors and the included directions, thanks so much. I have a question – when you put wool or alpaca yarn into hot water doesn’t it sort of “pre-felt” the yarn? Does that make your socks really thick? Thanks again.
Vicki says
Linda – thank you and you’re welcome! I should have stated that I only use super-wash wools when I dye. It’s very possible to dye 100% wool fibers, but you have to be careful with them to prevent felting. It’s the combination of hot water and movement that causes felting, and I can only imagine that it would be impossible to untangle a skein to knit with it after the fibers have felted.
E in Upstate NY says
When my now 40ish sons were in their teens, they both experimented with dyeing their hair with Kool-Aid! They both preferred flavors that produced blue hair. Not using vinegar to set the color, it would wash out after a time. Got pretty good at not making a mess in the Kitchen! What memories this brings back.
Mavis, enjoying this series. thank you
Vicki says
<3
Lace Faerie says
E: sons and hair! My son was 15 when he decided he wanted bleached white hair. I had never used bleach, had only dyed hair before. It was a colossal disaster. Came out baby chicken yellow! I made him promise not to tell anyone I did that and I’d pay to have it professionally fixed. He said he’d never tell but declined the offering of the fix. Shortly after it started growing out, he buzzed it all off. What is it about sons and hair issues?
I have always been fascinated by dying fabrics and yarn. As a young girl I loved watching my older sister (who was in college) doing all sorts of dying.
I had one of my college teachers come to school with blue speckles all over her face and neck from a dying project gone wrong. Something about a powdered dye poof from a slammed door. She was a good sport, laughing at herself in a hand mirror while explaining her new appearance.
Vicki: thank you for sharing your craft! The colors are fascinating! My niece knits beautiful socks on the tiniest of needles. I’m going to send her this article and see if it peaks her interest!
Mavis: this is one of my favorite features of your newsletters! As well as pantry shares and garden shares! Best of luck with your upcoming move! I am drooling over the prospect of you sharing your new garden as it comes into being!
Erin says
Gorgeous! I am a knitter and have toyed with the idea of dying yarn, but was daunted by the strange chemicals and stuff. Coolaid sounds like a great way to do it, and you get such vibrant colors!
Vicki says
Erin – you should definitely try it! You don’t need to buy anything to start if you’re already a knitter – overdye a light-colored yarn with a high wool content that you might already have.
Emily says
Your yarn is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your love of knitting and love of colors with us!
Vicki says
Thanks, Emily! I enjoyed writing this post and I’m thrilled that Mavis shared it on her blog!
Janet Parks says
Vicki, Thank you for sharing. Your colors are so fun and happy! Check the blog Attic 24, it is right up your alley!
Happy knitting!
Janet in Woodway
Vicki says
Thanks, Janet – Lucy’s blog is one of my favorites. She has such a great sense of color and always inspires my own work!
Laura Z says
Beautiful! Do you have and Etsy shop?
Vicki says
Thanks, Laura! I do have an Etsy shop, but I don’t sell my hand-dyed yarn any longer. I just have a few original crocheted patterns in it. (https://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkChihuahuaCrafts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav)
Juli Nimitz says
Love those socks!!!!
Suzanne Jefferis says
Where do you get the undyed yarn that you use for your kool aid dying?