There are lots of people out there offering gorgeous hand-dyed yarns...but have you ever tried dying your own? I got to try a kit from Fiber Huis, and it was so much fun - And even better, I get to give a Fiber Huis Yarn Dyeing Kit away to one lucky winner here on Moogly!
Disclaimer: I was given this kit for review but all opinions are my own;
this post was sponsored by Fiber Huis.
Fiber Huis is a really charming yarn and fiber art supply shop, where you can find all sorts of great craft supplies - weaving, spinning, dying, crocheting, and knitting are all included. There are kids kits too - perfect for long summer days!
What I tried out (and what you can enter to win below!) is the Fiber Huis Yarn Dyeing Kit. It comes straight to your door with all the "unusual" supplies you need to get started - plus yarn:
Of course, some things aren't included - like measuring cups, a big bucket or pot, rubber gloves, vinegar, apron, etc. Much of it I already had from previous dyeing adventures, but the iodine-free salt was a new one. It was easy to find though at any grocery store (I'd just never looked for it before). Hitting the thrift store for some of it's a good idea too!
So as soon as I had all my supplies, it was time to get started! I decided to dye the two fibers that seemed easiest - the recycled silk sari and the t-shirt cotton. To prep the cotton, all I really needed to do was tie the hank so it wouldn't come apart.
The silk needed to be tied and then washed to remove oils and dirt.
There are lots of great ideas on how to get different effects included in the Fiber Huis instructions. One idea is winding the ball of yarn so that the dye doesn't reach all the way to the middle - creating an ombre or gradient effect. Well, I had to try for that one! So I left the cotton in its tied-together circle but wound the silk into a ball.
Then it was time to mix the dye! The Fiber Huis Kit includes 3 colors of dye: Fuschia, Turquoise, and Yellow. With these, you can combine, concoct and create just about any color you want! Since I'm still a newb, as my kids would say, I went with straight Turquoise.
This part feels a bit like chemistry... or maybe alchemy! But the instructions make it super easy. Just make sure to use disposable/recycled containers and wear your gloves. It's also a good idea to open and mix the dye powder in an outdoor (but not windy) area.
With the dye mixed, it's time to add the yarn. The cotton yarn went in no problem, but the silk floats! At least it does when it's wound in a ball. So I used the wooden spoon to poke it down under the surface. Then, I waited...
Then, I rinsed! And rinsed and rinsed. And then rinsed some more. It's kind of like hair dye - rinse until the water runs clear.
Tada! Wet yarn with color!
The cotton could dry as is, but if I left the silk balled it would take months (and probably go moldy in the meantime, ew). Living in Iowa we've got lots of humidity, so I squeezed as much of the water out of the silk ball as I could, and then carefully unwound it on dishtowels on the counter. And I fell in love....
As you can see, the dye didn't reach all the way to the center of the ball. Part of the adventure! It would be a lot of fun to wind it the other direction, with the turquoise in the middle, and put it in another color for a cool gradient effect - but I really like the way this one came out.
And one of the most interesting things to me was how different the same exact dye (in the same pot, at the same time!) turned out on the two different fibers. The t-shirt cotton is a bright medium blue, with a bit of variation when you look closely, while the silk has this amazing vintage look, with more of a green cast.
I really enjoyed using the Fiber Huis Yarn Dyeing Kit - and I think you will too! Be sure to check it out in her shop - Fiber Huis Yarn Dyeing Kit - along with all the other great supplies she has on her site! You can also follow Fiber Huis on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for her newsletter (all linked in the giveaway below).
And because Pinterest is life, here's your pinnable image!
And now for what we've all been waiting for... the giveaway!
The Fiber Huis Yarn Dyeing Kit Giveaway on Moogly is open to US addresses only, and ends 7/3/17 at 12:15 am Central US time. To enter, use the Rafflecopter form below. If you are on mobile and have difficulty entering, please use a desktop computer to enter. Only the email option is mandatory – all other tasks are optional, for bonus entries only.
Good luck all! You can follow Moogly on Facebook, Twitter, G+, Pinterest, Instagram, and Tumblr! Thank you to Fiber Huis for sponsoring this giveaway!
Marsha
Great review as always! I've been thinking about dyeing but haven't tried it yet. Frankly, I want to go with whatever is easiest as long as it's colorfast. Would you call this easy & have you tried washing anything you made from your dyed yarn yet?
Tamara Kelly
It was much easier than I thought it would be! I haven't washed it yet, but I do always recommend using a Shout Color Catcher when washing yarny stuff for the first time. 🙂 Vinegar can be great for color setting as well!
Fiber Huis
Hi Marsha,
The dye is indeed colorfast. These are professional dyes used in the organic clothing industry, yet they are simple and safe enough that they are used in classroom tie dye projects as well.
Good luck on winning!
Brittany from Fiber Huis
Amanda Meister
I love this! I also live in Iowa near Waterloo. Summer started so hot but the last two days were so mild. (Love the mild temps)
Tamara Kelly
Howdy neighbor! 😀 Here's hoping it stays nice for the 4th! 😛