Oct
21

I Love to Create: Hand Dyed & Knitted CowlKerchief


There’s something magical about being able to dye your own yarn to any shade you wish, especially when that yarn is intended for a simple project that’s perfect for showing that color off.  Today on I Love to Create, I show how easy it can be to be the designer of your own palette, with the help of a craft store dye kit.  Bonus, once you’ve customized your yarn, you can knit it up into a modern “CowlKerchief”!  Here’s how.

Undyed Wool & Customized Dye Kit Supplies


Materials

Chunky, Undyed Wool (approx 100 yds/110m)
Rubber Gloves
Salt
Mild Shampoo or Yarn Wash
Junky Towel
Hanger
Size US 11 (8mm), Circular Needle
Tapestry Needle
Large Button
Needle & Thread

How-To Custom Dye
  • Flip through the Custom Dye Kit “Color Recipes” booklet.  Choose your color from the palette–I went with a purple-grey called, “Horizon”.  

  • Following the recipe for your chosen color, mix dye with 1 gallon of hot water & 3 Tbs of salt in the sink or a large pot.
  • Immerse yarn in dye bath.  Gently stir, continuously (taking care not to agitate so much, that the yarn felts) for 15 minutes, then occasionally every 5-10 minutes for the next 45 minutes.
  • Remove yarn from dye bath and rinse with cool water & gentle soap.  Make sure not agitate while washing!
  • Roll yarn in towel, removing excess water.  Place on hanger; let dry.
  • Wind into ball.

“Horizon”, Hand-dyed Wool

CowlKerchief Directions
Cast-on 3 sts.  Knit all sts.
Next Row (RS): Kf&B (knit in the front and back of stitch), knit to last st, Kf&b. (5 sts)
Next Row: Knit all sts.
Repeat last 2 rows, increasing at each end on every RS row, until you have 67 sts.
BO.   Weave in ends.
Sew button onto one tip of triangle.  On the opposite side, pickup a stitch and crochet a chain that’s long enough to go around button.  Attach chain to tip to form loop.

Happy dyeing; happy knitting!
Craft.Rock.Love, 
Vickie