I can’t remember a winter that has been this intense in a very long time. It really has me dreaming about spring. Luckily, I’m not the only one who feels like this. My Favorite Bloggers have joined forces this month to give you 11 Spring Inspired Projects. First, I’d like to share my project with you!
Kool Aid Dyed Yarn in Your Microwave Oven
When I think Kool-Aid I think spring and summer days, don’t you? The colors are oh so vibrant and cheery while the taste reminds me of happy play dates with friends.
Previously I’ve share with you how you can sun dye yarn with Kool Aid (you can see these posts HERE, HERE, and HERE). However, this time of year, solar dying just isn’t an option. Not to worry, if you’ve got a microwave, you can dye yarn in no time.
Supplies:
- 100% wool yarn (do not select super wash wool)
- UNSWEETENED Kool Aid in your selected colors (look at the glass in the picture to see what color your Kool Aid will be). You will need 1 packet/ounce of yarn
Directions:
- If your yarn was wound like mine, you need to re-wind it in a skein and loosely tie. See more about this HERE.
- Soak your yarn in a tub of warm water for 15 minutes or so. You will notice that when you first put your yarn in the water, it floats. Press it down and as it absorbs water, it won’t float quite as much.
- While your yarn is soaking, prepare your Kool Aid Dye. A general rule is to dissolve one packet of Kool Aid in 1 cup of warm water. However, for my yarn, I dissolved 2 packages of Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade in 1.5 cups of warm water and 3 packages of Lemon-Lime in 2.5 cups of warm water.
- Squeeze out the excess water from your yarn. Then place it on a towel and try to squeeze out more water. Then, place your yarn in a pyrex pan/bowl, snaking it back and forth. My microwave is very small so I really had to smoosh my yarn in my small pyrex pan.
- Pour your dye(s) onto your prepared yarn in the pyrex pan. For a two color skein like mine, pour one color on one side and the other color on the other side.
- Place the lid onto your pyrex bowl/pan and microwave in the following manner. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, let your yarn rest (covered) for 2 minutes, and repeat until the water in your pan is clear with all the color having been absorbed into the yarn. (Note: if you use a lemonade product, your water will be cloudy but no color should remain).
- Remove the yarn from your pyrex bowl/pan and place in a colander to drain. GENTLY rinse in warm water. (If you use cold water and agitate the yarn too much, you run the risk of felting your yarn)
- Hang your yarn to dry. Aren’t the colors fabulous! They truly have me dreaming of spring! (Note: I actually hung my yarn in the bathroom to dry but I couldn’t get a good photo in there so I took these outside shots)
Now,I’d love for you to check out some of the other spring inspired projects that my friends, #MyFavoriteBloggers, came up with!
From top down, left to right: Stamped “Bloom” Necklace from One Artsy Mama, Spring Centerpiece from Happy Go Lucky, Washi Tape Popsicle Stick Flowers from The Benson Street, Simple Circle Pinwheels from Creative Capital B, Semi-Homemade Strawberry Shortcake from Seven Alive, Five Minute Hair Pins from It Happens in a Blink and Suburble, Kool-Aid Dyed Yarn in Your Microwave from 4 You with Love, Color-able Free Printable Spring Banner from Do Small Things with Love, Fairy Guesthouse from Happy Hour Projects, and Geometric Print Vase from Pitter and Glink.
I hope all these great projects help make your wait for spring to arrive colorful and fun!
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