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natalie · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 4:08 pm Post subject: Kool-Aid

Well, after much reading and webbing, I think this is what I am going to try first.
I found a site here
http://www.woolfestival.com/articles/koolaid.htm
which describes how to dye with KoolAid in the oven.
My microwave is in the attic, and I have an Aga, so bringing things to the exact temperature all the websites suggest is necessary may not be very easy (potatoes get boiled for 5 minutes and then drained and put in the oven). The Kool-Aid seems cheap (on ebay) and there are no chemicals/mordants/other equipment/meths to buy, you seem to be able to do it in a ziplock bag.
So I'm off to buy KoolAid, sock yarn and roving to try out.

There's the added bonus, apparently that it smells nice instead of like a chemical factory... don't know how true this is.

natalie
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wendy · Joined: 30 Jun 2006 Posts: 24 Location: london uk

Hi Natalie. Kool-aid have a uk website thought you might want to compare prices... postage on ebay can be a rip off at times..

http://www.koolaiduk.com/ Very Happy

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Catherinechaos · Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Lancashire

The exact measures that some website and books talk about put me off a bit but Jenny Scott who has a shop up in Yorshire said to just put some water in the pot, mix round a glug of vinegar and then your wool and then sprinkle a range of dyes on. Bring to the boil and then simmer for twenty I know its no good for accurate dyeing but I love it!

natalie · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject:

Cathy, is that method with Koolaid powder?
How did you get on with it? Are the dyes fast afterwards?
My husband thinks we'll end up with a kitchen floor which is a delicate shade of pink and green!
Thanks for the link wendy, I was looking at ebay and there's someone selling 10 packs for about £3.50 incl p&p, but there are a lot of reds. I suppose that means I can make pink too....

natalie
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cledry yarner · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 176

There's a woman shows how to do self striping with Kool Aid here

http://www.eunnyjang.com/knit/200...techniques_selfstriping_yarn.html

Catherinechaos · Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Lancashire

No, it wasn't Kool Aid, which to be honest I haven't tried before so I don't know, I used acid dyes and I just love them, I've got pinks and purples and blues, I'll try to post some (have to drag myself into the 21st century sometime I suppose). The little pots cost around £4 - £5 but go a really long way and if you mis judge with the amount of dye, its left in the dyepot anyway and you can use it again.

Catherinechaos · Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Lancashire

I dyed today, one with pink, sky blue and lilac, one with sky blue and navy blue and one with sun yellow, aztec gold and russet. Will post as soon as I can work the computer out.

natalie · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:45 pm Post subject:

Do you know how to use photobucket?
I'll try and write instructions.
I may be gone some time.

Done.
They are in the Technical Stuff section at the bottom of the page.

The trouble with acid dyes is that I'd need to get special pans and stuff, wouldn't I? That's why I thought I'd do the KoolAid first... you are tempting me though. I'm going to buy the stuff on Saturday.

Hmmmm.

natalie
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www.theyarnyard.co.uk

cledry yarner · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 176

I got a couple of big preserving pans for a quid each at the car boot. I use them just for dyeing.

wendy · Joined: 30 Jun 2006 Posts: 24 Location: london uk

Nah, using chemical dyes, your house smells like a fish and chip shop Laughing

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I`v got everything i had twenty years ago, except everythings lower..

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