Dyeing Yarn

One of my other favorite yarn-related activities is dyeing yarn. I never thought I would try it because I thought that potentially dangerous chemical dyes were my only option. I didn't want to mess with chemicals or other dyes. Then I found the world of food-safe dyes.

The first thing I discovered was Kool-Aid dyes. It was so cool that a drink mix could turn my yarn colors and it would be permanent! I dyed the first time with Grape Kool-Aid, but unfortunately I didn't quite use enough to make a bright color. I still like it since it turned out as a lavender color. I don't have any pictures for that.

Then I started experimenting with Wilton Gels to add some different colors. I started with a base of Kool-Aid and added Wilton over top.

Here's Patons Classic Wool dyed with Iced Blue Raspberry overdyed with some Violet and Royal Blue/Teal. It's supposed to be self-striping.


This time I used Black Cherry Kool-Aid and some Violet Wilton Gels to make a variegated yarn. The base is Hope Spinnery Wind Spun in the color Hash.


Not bad, right? It's so much easier than I thought. There are tons of great tutorials out there, such as this one on the Knitty website. Has anyone else tried food color dyeing?

Alison

And Another Thing

I also thought I'd share some more of the cockades I made. My friends were lucky enough to get two of these.

Want to make your own? Scroll down a bit for the tutorial!

Alison

Sewing Adventures

Although I rarely sew, I've decided to try some of the stuff I've seen on Pinterest. Man, I love Pinterest. :)

Here's a key fob/key chain/strap thing:

Aaand a skirt:

Sewing is fun, even if I can't do anything more complex!

Alison

DIY Les Miserables Cockade/Rosette

 

In case you are one of the few people on Earth that don't know, I love Les Miserables. So of course when I saw the rosettes Marius, Enjolras, and the others were wearing for most of the movies, I was thinking "I could totally make that!" Here's the way I made mine. If something is unclear, just drop a comment and I'll see how I can help!

Here's what you will need:

• red, white, and blue striped ribbon: I used 7/8" ribbon. I wouldn't go much thinner, but you could go thicker. I got 4 cockades out of a 9' spool. The cockade was 2.5" wide, which I thought was perfect.
• a place to anchor the ribbon while making the ruffle part: I used another ribbon spool
• felt or other fabric for backing
• hot glue gun with hot glue sticks
• pins
• safety pin or pin back
• needle and navy blue thread
• scissors
• small button
• something round to trace for the backing
• pencil

 Let's Begin!

1. Follow the first 3 steps of the cockade instructions on the American Duchess blog found here. Make sure you sew carefully! These stitches are the most important factor in holding the cockade together.

2. Glue the ribbon ends together with a small dab of glue.
3. Put some glue onto the back of the button and press it onto the front of the cockade over the stitches.

4. The round object should fit the back of your cockade with a little room to spare. Trace the object on the felt and cut it out.
5. Put glue on the backing and press it onto the back of the cockade.

6. If you are using a pin back, glue it onto the backing and skip steps 7-10. If you're using a safety pin like I did, put a line of glue as about as long as your safety pin on the backing.
7. Press the pin into the glue. Hold it upright for a few seconds while the glue cools so the pin doesn't fall over.

8. Cut a strip of felt that fits inside of the pin (a little less wide than the pin).
9. Spread glue over the strip.
10. Open the pin and press the felt over the bottom part of the pin.

 11. Wear with pride! And why don't you start a revolution while you're at it?

 

 Hope it went well for you! Just be warned, the button fell off of one I made for a friend, but she said she was playing with it. If you're careful you should be fine.

Best of luck!

Alison