| When you want to knit with a yarn that is totally | | | | If you use metal dye pots, make sure they won't rust, |
| unique, try dyeing it first. | | | | as rust spots can ruin your yarn. Stainless steel or |
| There are two ways of dyeing yarn. One way is with | | | | enamelled pots are best, as these will not react badly |
| chemical or synthetic dyes, which are quick and easy | | | | with the chemical dyes or with some of the mordants |
| to use, the other is with natural dyes. The process of | | | | used for natural dyes. |
| using natural dyes takes a little longer but the results | | | | Beware - if spilt, dyes will stain your cooker. If you |
| are more subtle. | | | | have one, use an old camping gas stove or portable |
| Synthetic dyes cover a wider range of colours than | | | | electric ring for heating up the mixture, just in case! |
| natural dyes. They are relatively inexpensive to buy | | | | Other tools that you might need when dyeing your |
| and so, for the beginner, a great way to experiment. | | | | yarn: |
| It's important to choose the correct dye for the type | | | | - small pan for dissolving chemical dyes (if these are |
| of fibres in your yarn. Because synthetic dyes are | | | | being used) |
| made from chemicals, the same dye will react | | | | - table-spoon for mixing |
| differently on yarns of different fibre composition. | | | | - a pair of wooden tongs |
| Natural dyestuffs can be collected from your garden | | | | - some smooth wooden sticks |
| or from the countryside or can be bought as powders | | | | - weights and scales |
| from craft shops and chemists. | | | | - hot and cold water |
| It's best to dye the more unusual yarns such as | | | | - apron and rubber gloves |
| cashmere, alpaca or angora, for example. The colours | | | | - scouring pads (for cleaning the tools after dyeing is |
| available in standard shop-bought yarns is so | | | | complete) |
| wide-ranging that it's probably not worth the trouble of | | | | - clean bowls for rinsing the yarn |
| dyeing these, unless you want to match a very | | | | - notebook and pen (keep notes of yarns dyed and |
| specific shade. | | | | recipes used) |
| Take care when you select the containers for dyeing | | | | Dyeing your own yarn is creative and fun. Why not try |
| your yarn. | | | | it? |