Non-Conventional Dyeing You Can Try at Home

Non-conventional Dyes Techniques

Yarn dyeing is a fun and creative way to add color and personality to your knitting and crochet projects. And the best part is, you can use stuff you may already have in the house to do it!

Here are a few ideas for non-conventional yarn dyes:

Ketchup Dye

Ketchup Dye will produce a warm-brown to magenta-colored dye. The cheaper brands tend to add more vinegar to help the taste but also acts as a wonder mordant for protein yarns.

1. Boil some water in a pot.
2. Add a few tablespoons of ketchup to the water.
3. Stir until the ketchup is dissolved.
4. Add your yarn to the pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
5. Rinse the yarn with cold water and let it dry.

Mustard Dye

Mustard produces a yellow dye. Shocker, right? It can range anywhere from a pale yellow to the bright, almost BigBird-esque color you wish hadn't set into that Fraggle Rock t-shirt when you were in third grade. I am still a little salty about that. I digress...

1. Boil some water in a pot.
2. Add a few tablespoons of mustard to the water.
3. Stir until the mustard is dissolved.
4. Add your yarn to the pot and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.
5. Rinse the yarn with cold water and let it dry.

Toothpaste Dye

1. Mix together equal parts (gel-type) toothpaste and water in a dye pot.
2. Add your yarn to the mixture and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
3. Rinse the yarn with cold water and let it dry.

Here are a few tips for dyeing:

• Use a mordant to help the dye adhere to the yarn. A mordant is a substance that helps to fix the dye to the yarn. You can use commercial mordants, or you can use natural mordants like alum or vinegar.
• Use a dye pot that is large enough to accommodate the amount of yarn you are dyeing.
• Wear gloves and eye protection when dyeing yarn.
• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Rinse the yarn thoroughly after dyeing.
• Let the yarn dry completely before using it.
• Don't take this post too seriously. 

If you get some dye on your clothes, say your pants, be sure to wash them thoroughly. Ring as dry as you can get them and then pull the leg. Pull that leg very hard... kinda like I am pulling yours right now.

Also, your shoe is untied. #aprilfools