Having fun with the Line Drawing Knit Along with Ellen Thomas of The Chilly Dog?
The third week is all about the toe and Ellen has provided a video to help you out.
Don't forget to join us on the Makers' Mercantile Ravelry Discussion Group!
Want more info on the KAL or Zitron Art Deco Yarn? Check out our KAL Information.
Still need your yarn or other supplies? Check out Makers' Mercantile!
I absolutely love color, and I am completely in love with hand-dyed yarns. It’s time for my two loves to meet each other! Hi, my name is Tara, and this is Eat, Knit and Dye! By day, I am the graphic designer for Makers’ Mercantile®. By night, I am discovering how to hand dye yarn. And you get to join me on this adventure on Wednesdays.
Did you know that Makers’ Mercantile® sells undyed yarn? Hopefully, you have already had a chance to check out Kinky Yarn and maybe even had some time to play with it. But they also have a whole slew of yarns in different weights and fibers just waiting for you to add some color. They even have the supplies you need for dyeing – acid dyes, natural dyes, and fashion sprays.
Want to learn how to make your own beautiful rainbow long gradient hand-dyed wool? Read on!
For my inaugural post, I decided to start with the undyed base called Frida. It’s a fingering yarn that is ultra-fine and unbelievable soft (16 microns!). It’s a 100% Merino Wool Superwash and comes in a 393 yard / 100-gram hank.
Before we get started, a note on safety. I’ll be using Jacquard Acid Dyes which are not food safe. So, all the tools you see are dedicated solely to dyeing. I am also wearing a face mask when working with the powdered dyes. They are an extremely fine particulate and you don’t want them in your lungs.
I wanted to try my hand at an extremely long gradient in the rainbow spectrum. That means over the course of 393 yards we will hit all 6 colors. I also didn’t want the yarn to be striping, so I want the color shifts to be gradual. To achieve that, I divided the yarn into lots of mini hanks. I sat down with an old coffee thermos and wrapped the yarn around it 20 times, then tied each hank with embroidery floss into two places. I just kept going until I ran out of yarn. (I highly suggest binge watching some shows while you do this, it's not a fast process.) Do make sure things don’t get tangled, and your hanks don’t have to be perfectly measured.
At my local thrift store, I found this really cool pan. It’s supposed to be for brownies so everyone can make sure they get an edge piece. Luckily, I like the middle parts of brownies, so I was happy to sacrifice this pan to this project. You’ll be seeing this pan in future posts. I wouldn’t dye more than one hank at a time, but it works really well for controlling the colors for that single hank.
I filled the pan up with water and 1 tsp of citric acid. Then I added the yarn, trying to distribute the yarn evenly along the path. I put the pan across two burners so the water could be sort of evenly heated. Then I let it soak for about 30 minutes while I prepared the dye.
I wanted a bright, but supersaturated rainbow. For blue, I used a 50/50 mix of Jacquard Sky Blue and Turquoise. For red, I used a 50/50 mix of Jacquard Fire Red and Hot Fuchsia. And for yellow, straight Jacquard Sun Yellow. In 3 condiment squeeze bottles, I mixed up 1/8 tsp of powdered dye with 3 ounces of warm water. For the blue and the red dyes, I used 1/16 tsp of each color to get the total 1/8 tsp of powder. Then, holding my finger over the opening, I lightly shook the dye and water until it mixed. That took care of my primary colors.
To get my secondary colors, I used three more empty squeeze bottles. I knew from previous experience that when mixing green or orange, you need more yellow then blue or red. To get green, I started with 1 ounce of yellow. Then I slowly added blue until I got the green color that I visually thought was the “right” green, which was approximately .5 ounces of the blue. I repeated that for orange by starting with 1 ounce of yellow and .5 ounces of red. Purple was equal parts of blue and red, so .75 ounces of each color.
Now that my dye was ready to go, I turned on the heat to both burners at around low-medium. The water should be hot - almost simmering, but not boiling. Once the desired temperature was achieved, I carefully added my dye. I decided that each row had 3 brownie slices in it, so if I were making brownies, there would be 12 pieces. That means that each of the six colors would get 2 pieces.
I started by adding the dye carefully making sure the wrong color didn't splash into the wrong place. After the dye was added, I used a prong to gently wiggle the dye water around, so the color spread out a bit. For the first dye addition round, I didn’t overlap the colors.
Before I started the second round, I gently wiggled the yarn where the two colors touched to start the gradient mixing. I added the dye at the center of the color section and used the prong to wiggle the yarn around to get the gradual fade that I want. And while it is tempting to keep playing with the color, I stepped away from the pan and let the dye exhaust.
Why is dye exhausted? When it is just too tired to dye any more yarn? Sorry, bad joke. When the water has turned clear, or mostly clear, it means the dye has been absorbed by the yarn and there isn’t any dye left. Now was a great time to use that prong and check the yarn. I noticed that the bottom portion of the yarn didn’t have as much color, so I slightly rotated all the yarn to expose the white yarn areas. Being gentle, I don’t want to tangle all those mini skeins. Then I added more dye the same way I did before. And let the dye exhaust.
One more final check of the yarn and add any more dye if you need too. I was fine with the blues and red (even had dye left over) but my yellow mix was all gone. Instead of mixing more dye stock, I just added a pinch of yellow dye power right into the dye bath. Then I turned off the heat and impatiently waited for the yarn and pan to cool. As nifty as this pan is, it is made of some heavy-duty materials and it takes forever to cool down. (I know, I kept checking. Over and over.)
Once it is finally cool, I took the whole pan to my sink. I needed to rinse the yarn but didn’t want to disturb the mini skeins. I added a smidge of clear dish soap to my hands and lightly massaged the yarn in place. I used the sprayer from my sink to rinse the yarn until all the bubbles were gone. Carefully drain the water.
I laid all the soaking wet skeins out on a towel and pressed it as dry as I could. Then I took them into my laundry room and spread them out on a different towel to let them dry overnight. (And be safe from my 10-month-old kitten who REALLY likes yarn.)
In the morning, the mini skeins were mostly dry, but I didn’t want them to sit there much longer because I didn’t want the yarn to get kinky. I loaded all the skeins into a coffee thermos and sat down to begin the unraveling. I wound the yarn around a cutting board to keep things nice and neat. And it will help with the final drying process. (Remember that show you were binge-watching? Go watch it some more!)
This yarn makes me absurdly happy. I put it in cake form so you can see the gorgeous gradient. Then put it back into a regular sized hank so that I could nicely store it in my yarn stash.
Lessons I learned:
I am totally obsessed with this yarn. I absolutely can’t wait to start knitting it up. I’m thinking some sort of Fair Isle inspired sweater. And since I know I will need more yarn than just this glorious hank, the commercial equivalent of this yarn is Zitron Feinheit. I’m thinking a charcoal grey would really make the colors sing. I can’t wait to get started!
About Tara
Tara Warburton is the former graphic designer for Makers' Mercantile® and a fine artist. She specializes in watercolor and colored pencil illustrations. She lives with her two cats, who are not helpful when knitting.
Having fun with the Line Drawing Knit Along with Ellen Thomas of The Chilly Dog?
The second week is all about the foot and Ellen has provided a video to help you out.
Don't forget to join us on the Makers' Mercantile Ravelry Discussion Group!
Want more info on the KAL or Zitron Art Deco Yarn? Check out our KAL Information.
Still need your yarn or other supplies? Check out Makers' Mercantile!
A fun technique that utilizes the color wheel! All you need is a coil of Kinky Yarn and 3 colors of Jacquard acid dyes. Learn how to create your own neon rainbow so you can cast on a bright and colorful project.
MATERIALS
Kinky Yarn 100% Superwash Wool
200 grams / 133 meters / 147 yards
TOOLS
Deep bowl
Citric Acid
Jacquard Acid Dyes
Squirt Bottles
Plastic Wrap
Towels
Old Towel
Gloves
Technique
Soak your Kinky Yarn in 4 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of citric acid. Use your hand to push all the coil down into the water to make sure it is fully submerged.
You may wish to wear gloves during this point. The acid is not strong, but it can sting if you have a paper cut.
Optional: Have cat inspect your work.
After the 30 minutes has gone by, gently squeeze out the excess water and use an old towel to press out even more.
Cover you work surface in plastic wrap.
Snap on your gloves and mix up your Jacquard Acid dyes. (Don't worry, they don't have acid in them. They need the weak acid like citric acid or white vinegar to set the pigment.) Additionally, you will want to put on a mask for this step. The dye is a fine pigment powder and you don't want to breathe it.
I mixed 1/8 teaspoon of dye and 4 ounces of warm water into dedicated squirt bottles. Dyes used:
Jacquard Hot Fuchsia
Jacquard Turquoise
Jacquard Sun Yellow
Remember, acid dye is not food safe, so keep your tools separate from your eating utensils.
Using the squirt bottles, apply color in triangular wedges, making sure the different colors don't touch. I know once the colors touch they will start mixing and I want to control when that happens.
Carefully start overlapping the different colors of dye. Also, remember that Kinky Yarn is a bulky weight and the dye will have a lot of fiber to work through. You will want to make sure you get dye on the edges of the coil.
Be sure to check the inside of the coils for dye saturation as well. I know that the inside coils are tighter, and less dye is filtering down the coils. But because the the inner coils will also have shorter runs of color, I like that it will have a larger undyed portion. I think it will balance out of the look.
The color gradients have pretty hard edges at this point. If you like that style, move on to the next step. I wanted a bit more of a smooth face, so I took the remaining 1 ounce of mixed dye and added 3 ounces of water. Using the diluted dye, I went over where the colors mixed and the gradient smoothed out.
At this point, the Kinky Yarn coil is super saturated with water, and instead of absorbing, is just becoming a puddle. Gentle pick up your yarn and over the sink, squeeze out as much water as you can while retaining the coil shape.
You'll also notice that the bottom of your Kinky Yarn coil doesn't have a lot of dye saturation. Using a towel, wipe up any dye on the plastic wrap, and flip over your coil. Then repeat the same process to dye this portion of your coil.
Wrap up your coil in plastic wrap. Add extra if you think its not water tight. Place it on a dye dedicated plate and microwave it for 4 minutes. Using tongs, check to see if the water is clear at the bottom of the wrap. If its not, microwave it for another 3 minutes.
Remove from microwave and allow to cool. You will need to uncoil the yarn to make sure all of it cools to room temperature.
Gently wash with clear dish soap the coil. This will dislodge any dye that didn't adhere and wash out the citric acid. Rinse and squeeze out as much water as you can.
Layout your yarn on an old towel (and squeal with joy over the pretty colors) and pat dry to remove even more excess water.
Hang your Kinky Yarn up to dry.
Admire your beautiful and one of a kind Kinky Yarn!
Reading a knitting pattern and not sure what an abbreviation means? Here is our helpful list!
" inch(es)
alt alternate
approx approximately
beg begin/beginning
BO bind off
CO cast on
CC contrasting color
circ(s) circular
cont continue
cn cable needle
cs center stitch
dec decreas(e)(ed)(ing)
dpn(s) double pointed needle(s)
inc increas(e)(ed)(es)(ing)
k or K knit(ting)(s)(ted)
K2tog knit two together
Kfb knit into front and back of stitch (increase)
LH left hand
mkr marker
M1 Make one (increase)
MC main color
mm millimeter(s)
p or P purl(ed)(ing)(s)
patt pattern(s)
p2tog purl two together
pm place marker
psso pass slipped stitch over
rem remaining
rnd(s) round(s)
RS right side
sl slip(ed)(ping)
slm slip marker
skp slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over (one stitch decrease)
ssk WYIB, slip two stitches one at a time as if to knit, place back onto LH needle, knit tbl (one stitch
decrease)
ssp WYIF, slip two stitches one at a time as if to knit, place back onto LH needle, purl these 2 sts
together (one stitch decrease)
sk2p slip one as if to knit, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over the knit 2 together (2 stitch decrease)
st(s) stitch(es)
St st stockinette stitch
tfl through front of loop(s)
tbl through back of loop(s)
tog together
w&t (wrap and turn) Bring yarn to front as if you are about to purl, slip one stitch purl-wise. Turn work
to other side. Strand of yarn is now in back of work. Bring yarn to the front, slip one stitch back to
right needle. Continue to knit or purl the next stitch as instructed.
WS wrong side
WYIB with yarn in back
WYIF with yarn in front
yfwd yarn forward
yo yarn over
A special thanks to Kyle Kunnecke of Kyle William for providing us with these helpful abbreviations.
We are so excited for the launch of Gauge Yarns exclusive new yarn Whidbey!
Inspired by Whidbey Island, located about 30 miles north of Seattle, the island forms the northern boundary of Puget Sound. Often referred to as Puget Sound’s Largest Artist’s Colony, Whidbey is home to numerous working artists, writers, and performers. The south end of the Island is a true haven for those who enjoy the fine arts. With its rich flora and fauna, including Deception Pass State Park (the most visited state park in Washington), we wanted to ensure that our Whidbey yarn was just as spectacular and special as its namesake island.
And to go along with this new release, YarnYAY! has their very own exclusive colorway. Check out Vickie Howell's Instagram unboxing. This colorway was available only in limited quantities, but Makers' Mercantile will soon have other colors of Whidbey in stock.
The YarnYAY! exclusive colorway is sold out!
Whidbey will soon be available in 8 colorways only at Makers's Mercantile. Want to be the first to know? Sign up for our Newsletter!
Want to see YarnYAY!'s One Year Anniversary Box featuring Whidbey? Take a look.
Ready to get started on the Line Drawing Knit Along with Ellen Thomas of The Chilly Dog?
The first week is all about the leg and Ellen has provided a video to help you out.
Don't forget to join us on the Makers' Mercantile Ravelry Discussion Group!
Want more info on the KAL or Zitron Art Deco Yarn? Check out our KAL Information.
Still need your yarn or other supplies? Check out Makers' Mercantile!
Ready to make something unique? Karin and Kyle are here to walk you through a video tutorial on how to dye your Kinky Yarn coil with Sharpie Markers and some rubbing alcohol. Grab some popcorn and enjoy the show!
MATERIALS
Kinky Yarn 100% Superwash Wool
200 grams / 133 meters / 147 yards
TOOLS
Deep bowl
Sharpie Markers
Rubbing Alcohol
White vinegar
Salt
Bowl
Gloves
Technique
We have created two videos showing the Sharpie Marker Dyeing Method. The first is just the facts, the second is a much longer and more detailed video.
Ellen Thomas (a.k.a. the Chilly Dog) is hosting May’s Makers’ Mercantile KAL
Join Ellen Thomas of The Chilly Dog for the May Makers’ Mercantile Knit-Along! Featuring Zitron Art Deco, the pattern is written in needle neutral terms so you can use your favorite small circumference knitting method. Ellen will be using addi FlexiFlips in the companion videos.
Want the pattern for free? Purchase Zitron Art Deco at Makers’ Mercantile now through 5/31, and receive a download code for the pattern for free!
Or purchase the pattern and use the yarn of your choice!
Project
Line Drawing Socks - featuring Zitron Art Deco yarn
Line Drawing Socks is a top down sock with an afterthought heel
and 4 Point, or 4 Corner, shaping at the toe and heel. (Psst... that means no Kitchener stitch.)
We'll be making our socks with Zitron Art Deco yarn. It's self-patterning, so the colorwork magically emerges as you knit.
Ellen will be demonstrating the skills on her bamboo addi FlexiFlip needles, but the pattern is written in needle neutral terms, so if you are already a sock knitter you can use your favorite addi double pointed needles (dpns) or circular needles.
Schedule
Segment | Date |
|---|---|
Intro | May 2, 2019 |
The Leg | May 9, 2019 |
The Foot | May 16, 2019 |
The Toe | May 23, 2019 |
The Heel | May 30, 2019 |
The pattern will be available at Maker's Mercantile and remember to connect with other knitters on Maker's Mercantile Ravelry Group Page. The forums let knitters of all skill levels participate ... it's like having a knitting tutor 24/7!
Videos
Ellen Thomas has created videos to go with each week. Watch and enjoy your Knit Along!
Materials
Materials | 1 x Zitron Art Deco, Shown in #01 |
Finished Sizes | Adult XS (S, M, L, XL) • sock foot circumference 7 (7 ., 8, 8 ., 9) inches • sock foot length 8 . (9, 9 ., 10, 10 .) inches • sock leg height from floor to top of cuff |
Needles | 2.75 mm, or size needed to obtain gauge, |
Gauge | 32 sts x 40 rows = 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch |
Notions |
Yarn
Zitron's Art Deco - You'll love working with this self-patterning sock yarn! Make a simple sock to let the yarn shine or spice it up with something more advanced! Made by Zitron, this yarn is not only Superwash, but also super-soft. Grab a ball today to transform your next project into something brilliant.
Fiber Content | 80% Virgin Wool, 20% Nylon |
Yardage / Weight | 100 grams. |
Gauge | 34 stitches & 50 rows = 4" on US 2 - 3 (2.5-3.0 mm) |
Care Instructions | Machine Wash or Dry Clean, Dry Flat, Iron Low Heat, No Bleach |