Coloring Outside the Lines part 1A Dying fiber

I've always wanted to play with fiber - don't care what I do, but playing with fiber is the best. I have done several Elizabeth Zimmerman Baby Surprise Sweaters with handspun (about 6 I think) and they are absolutely the best for any handspun yarn - especially those with multi colors - or self striping.
I wanted to see if I could combine all the fiber color working I've done until now to produce a roving (pulled from a drum carder - - see my video on that) in multi colors.
To actually spin enough yarn for a sweater I would need about 400 yards, so that is multiple batts pulled into roving - spun from the same color repeat/end into yarn and then plied.
This video starts my adventure into trying to do this. There will be another video on carding and pulling the roving, and finally spinning the yarn - -
No matter what happens, I'm bound to have glorious colors, a soft wonderful yarn and a grand adventure with fiber. Nothing ventured - nothing gained - - and if worse should come to worse, I'll still have a fabulous soft yarn that I can use for a multitude of things - - the Surprise Jacket still #1 as it can be done with so many yarns, then hats, mittens, socks - - scarf - - you get the idea.
Hope you'll join me on my journey.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Baby Surprise Jacket
• Baby Surprise Sweater
• knitting
• drum carding
• super card
• louet drum card
• how to dye

[TarotLadyLissa]

Id love to knit a scarf with your beautiful yarn!!! You're such a wonderful teacher! I inherited my grandmothers spinning wheel, but i haven't used it yet. Maybe one day when i do, we can trade some yarn!!

[Jesus777Rocker]

I have recently gotten into the Angora fiber business and have watched many videos on how to do things properly, however there is so much conflicting information that when I found your channel it was like a breath of fresh air. I want to say on behalf of all of us involved in the fiber business, Thank you! The quality of roving is absolutely spectacular, and the detail in which you present the material is of infinate value to us. Thank you again and may God bless you!!!

[teachmyown]

I have been dyeing wool like crazy, and only use this method! I am SO thankful for this tutorial. You can see my finished products in my etsy store.

(Search for Teachingmyown on etsy to see them)

All of my yarns are dyed using this method. It even works using natural dyes like marigolds, turmeric, and mixed frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries).

[RallyJudge]

Procion dye can be used for either cellulose or protein fiber depending on how you go about it. Not all dye can be used with cotton/other cellulose fibers. Vinegar sets the protein fiber dye and there are other things used for cotton etc. I've never had trouble getting nice bright colors with protein fibers but have had difficulty with cotton. Signed in as RallyJudge right now - my other life on youtube.

[teachmyown]

I tried dying some roving today using black beans. It worked! I am going to try this method though. I have some of that procion mx dye, but never used it because it says for cotton on the back, and everywhere I read said that you had to use acid dyes on wool. But yours worked beautifully! Now I know what I am going to be doing tomorrow. :)

[RallyJudge]

@Primgrl My wool was all purchased more than 3 yrs ago from a zillion different sources, including UK, all around the US and Faulkland Islands. I have it stashed in the garage. Now I've been getting Alpaca every year when I demo (a free fleece) so have been doing tons of that. I also have bags of dog hair from several breeds saved by friends (we all do dog training, you can see those videos under rallyjudge on youtube) and they want it spun and knitted - mostly into hats and scarves. Ruthie

[Primgrl]

Love the video...Where do you get your supply of wool? :)

[irina5575]

interesting i learned a new way to dye wool - great

[guivere]

vigagre?

[HLEleanor]

This looks great! Surprising how intense the orange is, and the others fairly mottled. Can't wait to see 1B! Your videos are great fun, and I especially like your choice of music over the notes and credits. Good work!