Choosing an ombre effect when hand dyeing wool yarn offers a unique method of blending colors from light to dark. Whether you're new to yarn dyeing or looking to expand your skills, mastering the yarn gradient might not be as hard as you think. With a little preparation and patience, you can have a beautifully unique yarn with seamless color transition. In this blog, the experts at Meridian Mill House will teach you how to hand dye yarn with an ombre effect, including the tools you need and more!
Materials Needed
The first step to hand dyeing wool yarn is gathering all the required materials. Mastering a yarn gradient is quite simple and your materials won’t be different from normal yarn dyeing equipment. Below is a list of what you will need to ombre dip dye yarn:
- Natural, undyed yarn
- Dye (Make sure it is labeled for use with your fiber)
- Stockpot or Slow Cooker (One that won’t be used for food again)
- Dash of vinegar or citric acid
- Tongs
- Zip ties or string
- Extra bowl
- Water
- Mask or respirator
Preparing Your Workspace
Properly preparing before beginning the yarn dyeing process will help protect yourself, your workspace, and your other yarns from dye.
First, make sure you choose a well-ventilated area to minimize exposure to dye fumes.
Then, protect your surfaces from dye spills by covering them with plastic or newspaper. Don’t forget to keep paper towels nearby for quick clean up!
Next, arrange your dyeing pot and extra bowl in an accessible layout with other utensils within reach. Make sure your extra bowl is elevated above the pot. You can do this by flipping an additional bowl upside down and placing your other bowl on top. This bowl will hold your excess yarn that hasn’t been dipped in the dye yet. If the yarn hanging outside the dye bath dips below the level of the pot, gravity will draw water down the yarn and create a mess.
Finally, remember to take all necessary safety precautions. Wear gloves, old clothes, and possibly protective eyewear. Be sure to wear a mask or respirator to avoid inhaling particles.
Once your workspace is prepared and all safety precautions have been taken, you can start the yarn ombre dyeing process!
Method
It’s time to learn how to hand dye yarn with ombre coloring! Grab your yarn dyeing equipment and get started with the process below.
Step 1: Prepare and Divide Your Yarn
Start by using zip ties or string to section off about every three inches of yarn. This will decide how much yarn is at each section of your color spectrum.
Step 2: Soak the Yarn
Soak your sectioned yarn in a bath of water. Allowing your yarn time to soak helps the dye absorb more evenly and completely. It also removes dirt and spinning oil that might prevent the dye from taking hold of the yarn. After 30-60 minutes, remove yarn and squeeze out any excess water.
Step 3: Prepare Your Dye Bath
Fill your pot or slow cooker with 4 quarts of water. Mix in two grams of dye and a dash of citric acid or vinegar. The citric acid will help the dye adhere to the yarn.
Step 4: Begin the Dip Dyeing Process
Apply heat to your water and then dip a section of yarn into the dye bath. Leave the excess yarn outside of the water in the elevated bowl. After about an hour, dip another section of your yarn into the bath and let it soak for an hour. Repeat this process until your entire skein is submerged. Once it is fully submerged, let it soak for 30 minutes before using tongs to remove it from the pot.
Step 5: Rinse and Dry
Give your yarn gradient time to cool and then rinse it with water. Squeeze out excess water, allow it to dry, and then dream up a fun project for your freshly dyed yarn!
Explore Meridian Mill House Premium Yarns
Ready to plan your next yarn dyeing project? The Meridian Mill House Yarn Shop specializes in high quality, readily available, un-dyed yarns that come in quantities and prices ideal for small businesses and crafters. Contact us today to learn more!
