Yarn dying with Kool Aid

I have knit and crochet for years now.  There are two pieces of this craft that I haven't experimented with yet.  I was intrigued, but intimidated by dying.  I have little desire to spin because I can't possibly fit a wheel in my house and I think it will kill my thumb joints, they already holler when I purl.

But, in searching for summer activities for my girls, 12 year olds, I went by a little shop in Hayesville, NC called Two Busy Hands.  The owner, Roberta, hosts classes regularly.  My girls and I decided to take a yarn dying class.  Using Kool Aid.  Sounded fun!  What sold us was the vibrantly colored balls of yarn in cupcake paper wrappers that looked so enticing!

And, so we went.  Not quite knowing what to expect.  The girls were moderately excited to create their very own pattern on yarn.

I was, meh, happy, to participate and learn.

http://www.ravelry.com/people/PickandPurl/stash/bare---merino-wool-silk-fingering-weight/slideshow?fullscreen=1&start=41424516

But, once I got started and realized how limitless the possibilities are, and how easy, and how much FUN it is, I was hooked.  I just have to do this again.  HAVE. TO. 

Our teacher was fun and knowledgeable.  The owner of the shop was hospitable, with little snacks and drinks.  The prices are reasonable.  I would recommend the experience to all ages and stages.  And they don't even know I'm 'reviewing' them, let alone compensating.  

And the technique is easy.  Depending on what outcome you want.  The 'ingredients' are natural fiber yarn, water, Kool Aid and heat.  The heat can be a microwave or the sun.  It's easy.  And fun.  

F. U. N.

The yarn needs to be wet.  Submerse it in water alone.  Then, gently squeeze excess water out and you can start adding color.  Place the yarn on a piece of Saran Wrap on top of a towel.

You can either submerse the yarn and heat it or you can 'paint' the yarn and heat it.  Painting is more stippling than brushing so you don't make the yarn frizzy.  When you put the painted hank in the microwave, it needs to be wrapped in Saran Wrap.  If you are submersing, you put the jar or glass baking dish of water and yarn into the microwave, or let it sit in the sun.  You can heat it multiple times to get the yarn to take up all of the dye.  The water actually turns clear or milky, but the color is gone!  Be careful when squeezing water out of the yarn, it can be hot! And do not wring the yarn!  We then hung it in the sun and let the water dry and drip out of it.  

Now, I give you the basics of how to do it, because it is all over the internet but it is so educational and fun to go to class.  There are tips and tricks to it.  And techniques that you may not think of.  I still recommend going to class.  I wouldn't have tried it if I hadn't gone.  Very helpful to see it and have helpful instruction.  I understand it so much better now and yet, I might even venture back for another class to try out other techniques!

All of these opinions are mine.  Although, our instructor took some of the photos, those ones are hers.

Any questions, feel free to ask!