The Basics of Hand Dyed Yarn (Part 3 Section 1) - Tools

Hi and welcome back. This is Part 3 in a series of videos specifically about the techniques and methods I use when creating hand dyed yarn. However before the dyeing process begins there are a few things to know which I call the BASICS. These Basics include what you need to know before you get started dyeing yarn and will be the foundation to build on as you learn how to create your own unique works of art with fibre. Protein Fibre, Dye, Acid and Heat were covered in the two previous videos, now in Part 3 - Section 1 we will talk about the TOOLS I find useful during the dyeing process.
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Thank You for Watching and Enjoy!
Sheryl
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#handdyedyarn #yarndyeingprocess #yarndyeingtutorial #yarn

[@pamelaross3266]

Thank you for being so generous with your time and knowledge! You are so well spoken. You make a fabulous teacher. I wii have to go back and watch all your videos. 🌞

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

I'm so happy you enjoyed my video. Teaching is an art that I have not mastered but I am learning and trying to improve with each video so I really appreciate and I am encouraged by your comment. Thank you so much for watching😊

[@katwithak5115]

You are amazing!! Seriously, I have learnt so much from watching your video tutorials. I am about to start dyeing some yarn with acid dyes after only having experimented with food colouring & Kool Aid powder (and being rather disappointed with the results) up until now. I feel so better equipped to dive in & am excited to play & have fun experimenting with the colours I have purchased. I have watched so many KZbin videos on dyeing yarn the but none have gone into such depth regarding the "basic" processes. Just the tutorial on how dyes look so different on various types of yarn was a HUGE eye opener for me & explains so much about why I was not getting the results I wanted. Thank you so very much! I wish I could come & watch you dye in person! xx

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

I'm so glad my videos have been helpful for you. Enjoy your dye experiments and I know you will get the results you want.

[@eneal2056]

I've watched countless other hand dyeing videos and no one can compare to yours. Your videos are incredibly helpful and enjoyable to watch. I just dyed my first yarn this past weekend trying to follow your tutorials to the letter. Except for a little tangling it was a great success and the yarn is so beautiful. You are an artistic inspiration.

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Thank you so much. It makes me so happy to hear that my videos are helpful and inspiring. I bet it feels so good to have created beautiful yarn that you're happy with. Congrats on the start of your yarn dyeing journey! There is so much more fun to come😄

[@justpureyarn]

Your doing awesome job

[@molecreekdesigns8461]

Thank you so much for imparting your wisdom! Have been loving your series so much. You are so thorough and genuine 🙏.

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

You are so welcome! I've made a lot of mistakes that I've learned from and I'm happy to pass that knowledge on. Thank you so much for watching and I look forward to sharing more with you😊

[@PaoloDallePianeKnit1]

Thank you Sharyl

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Thank you. I find it so encouraging when my viewers find the content I put out to be useful. I appreciate your kind words and I have much more to share so stay tuned!

[@joanieliza8515]

So interesting

[@sheilawilliams7646]

I just love you! You are such a great teacher. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. 💕

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

You're welcome and thanks so much 😊, that just warms my heart. I have more tutorials on the way so look out for those.

[@danielleboots7032]

Excellent, thank you.

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

You're welcome and thank you for watching.

[@beckymatley3829]

It’s not often I find videos on KZbin for something and then have to wait for the next one! 😬 Have watched up to here this morning and it’s so helpful and informative. I’d love to give this a go and until a few hours ago I was totally in the dark about where to start. Can’t wait for the next parts, thank you for making these! 💜

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

I try to keep my viewers coming back for more😊. I'm so glad you found the video helpful and look forward to sharing more in this series.

[@rosegore1270]

I love your detailed information and demonstrations . I learned so much about yarn fiber. Thank you ! Thank you, you’re amazing. 🙏🏾❤️

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@girlcanknit]

I love your clear precise explanation of your process! You have an amazing workroom!

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Thank you, I don't find it easy to express myself clearly so I appreciate you comment. I do love my work space.

[@littleidiot153]

@@EssenceofAutumnYarn You are doing an excellent job. 👍👍👍

[@pheeinpa52]

I love how organized you are and your yarns are beautiful ❤

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Thank you 😊. Organization is not a strong skill I possess, but things work out much better for me when I try to be more organized.

[@PhenominalWoman504]

Your videos are great and it definitely helps me. I wish can take a class with you!!

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Thank you so much. I'm glad the information is helpful. Videos are the next best thing to an in person class😉.

[@lovannahsirois4932]

Thank you so much for sharing all your tips and tricks! And yes, dyeing yarn in your kitchen requires patience, preparation, cleanup...I'm in quebec and can only look for to dyeing on the back porch again

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

You"re welcome and thank you for watching my videos. Yes even you don't have a dedicated space for dyeing it can be a bit of a pain. Dyeing outside is wonderful though. I did that all last summer and really enjoyed it.

[@juliepodlewski9528]

One note to everyone about keeping dye recipes. Don’t just keep them on the computer, or if you do, make sure they are backed up in multiple places! That paper notebook becomes invaluable when your computer crashes and you loose everything!!!😭 I had about half of my recipes in my notebook, but lost my newest ones that were just in my computer. Your videos are awesome! I have really been enjoying them. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Great tip! I personally keep mine all in a binder, I don't trust the computer😉

[@jilllindfield2187]

Thankyou again, I love your videos. I have bought reusable cable ties and they are thicker too so don’t catch on the yarn...😉

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Im glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching. Yes reusable ties can be a good option as well.

[@Max-ql2pv]

This is so useful to know! Here, I was hoping to use our big soup pot to dye yarn, but clearly that isn't a good idea. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisaml7411]

Thank you for explaining your process for dyeing in this video series. The information is presented very clearly! BTW… I just ordered September Halo from your website and plan to dye my handspun yarn to go with it for the Love Note or similar sweater!

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

I'm glad you found the information useful and thank you so much for supporting my business. I look forward to getting your order shipped and into your hands so you can get creating!

[@sunshineraymond2365]

love your videos!! thank you for all this amazing info!! Where do you get your yarn??

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

I don't share my yarn sources however I appreciate you watching my videos and I'm glad you're enjoying them.

[@misssimmi2]

Love how you explain everything so well and clearly. Your a fantastic teacher. Can I just ask how big your pots are and how many skeins they hold comfortably please? X

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

I use full size steam table pans that are used in restaurants and I put 4-6 (115g) skeins in a pan.

[@misssimmi2]

@@EssenceofAutumnYarn thanks for the reply. I meant your pots that you use for kettle dyeing x

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

I only use steam pans now and I don't have those pots anymore to tell you the size but I still only dyed 4-6 skeins in them.

[@juliamurray8045]

Watching from Bonnie Scotland. Learning so much from you as a beginner. I'm really enjoying this series although I spin my own fleece. Would like to know how to acid dye coloured fleece(ie not white).

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Hello to you in Scotland. One of the colours I dye "Cobblestones of Scotland" is inspired by your beautiful country. I'm assuming your talking about natural coloured fleece such as browns, grays, black and tan. The dyeing process would be the same. The resulting dyed colour will change depending on how dark or light in colour the fleece is and also the natural colour of the fleece will determine how the dye looks too. I think coloured fleece would be an exciting canvas to work with.

[@juliamurray8045]

@@EssenceofAutumnYarn yes I have a lot of cream to grey pedigree shetland fleeces which I get locally. I tend to verge on the violets and purples for the heather any bright greens because we get a lot of rain but am unsure if I can use these soft colours on grey and light brown fibre. I suppose the best way is to try and see what comes out😁

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

​@@juliamurray8045 I say go for it and you can make adjustment while your dyeing as well. You can glaze another colour or shade of the same colour over what you've done to deepen it if it's not quite showing up on the darker fleece. I'm interested to know how your experiments go.

[@sarahendres5318]

Hi Sheryl - this series is so massively helpful, thank you so much for your generous sharing of information! I really appreciate the notes about lighting as I can see how that would make a big difference. One question - do you intentionally work out of a basement so that you can control the light, or could you (could I) dye yarn in an above ground room with natural light and get reasonably good results? Thank you!

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

I'm glad you are finding the videos helpful. Natural light is always best so if you're fortunate enough to have that available make full use of it. I work in my basement for practical reasons. It's the largest space I have to run my business and I don't have to worry about making a mess.

[@sarahendres5318]

@@EssenceofAutumnYarn That makes sense - thank you so much!

[@brendaalley425]

I love your 4" deep stainless steel pan. What is the width and length of this pan? I would like to purchase a similar pan.

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

It's called a full size steam pan. Any site that sells these should give the dimensions. My pans are currently packed away so I can't measure them.

[@JaneSmith0709]

I'm wondering if you use tap water or filtered or some other kind? It seems to me that mineral content could affect not only the color but also the ability of the dye to adhere, and possibly even affect the integrity of the yarn. Am I off base here? Thank you for such thorough information, I'm learning so much from you.

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

No I just use the tap water. I'm sure all of the things you mentioned could effect how the colour comes out and that is where you would make adjustments for your circumstances.

[@Pheebs77]

How do you stop the very ends of the yarn coming loose and tangling or escaping the ties?

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

As long as the ends of the yarn are secure there shouldn't be a problem with them coming apart. My yarn also has extra strings that are tied in a figure 8 through the yarn to help prevent it from tangling.

[@melissaj1881]

Sheryl, I woke up thinking about water. Our water is so hard and filled with chlorine. Would using bottled water or collected rain water be worth the effort?

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

That is something only you can determine since it will be your time and effort. I would experiment first and see what results you get from the water you have available and then go from there.

[@almondmnmsstudio]

If you don’t mind may you share the brand of your oven?

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Nella.

[@joanieliza8515]

What is your ratio for dye - tsp dye per two or three cups water and tbls acid?

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Simply put you have to experiment and do a lot of trial and error, there is no way around it. There are too many variables involved when dyeing yarn. I don't use the same amounts all the time because the colours I dye, the techniques I use and the amount of yarn I'm dyeing changes and I have to make changes accordingly. I know you want specifics but for the reasons mentioned it is impossible to give, there are just too many factors involved. As I suggest in this video experiment and keep good notes. If you try something and you like the results make sure to write everything down that you did. More importantly if you try something and hate the results take careful notes of that as well because making mistakes is really how you will learn the most. If you want to dye beautiful yarn you will probably first have to dye a lot of yarn that you're not happy with. That means you will most likely throw out yarn that you paid money for but don't view it as failing or a waste of product and materials, view it as learning. My videos will give you the basics, not recipes or specific formulas because it is my hope to inspire my viewers to discover their own creative voice not copy what I do because my way is not the only way to dye yarn. So just have fun and practice, practice, practice as the saying goes, and I can't stress this enough KEEP DETAILED NOTES!😊

[@joanieliza8515]

@@EssenceofAutumnYarn thank you!

[@joanieliza8515]

I hear you . You have to figure out your own creativeness . Practice practice . 😊. I enjoy your videos

[@luannechilcote6480]

Thank you for another great video. Is there a basic formula for mixing dye solutions? Also, should spoons, etc. be stainless steel?

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

What you heat set the yarn in should be a non reactive material so stainless steel (pots or pans) is a good option, glass (if using microwave), and ceramic (if using a croc pot) are others. I don't think it matters so much with spoons, but just remember if using plastic spoons the dye will stain them.You can see how I mix dye in the linked video below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpuYk6qKg6p9iNk

[@joanieliza8515]

When you mix dye what is your ratio? 1 tap per two cups water and a tablespoon acid?

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

You can refer to my Basics of Hand Dyed Yarn videos part 1 & 2, Dye and Acid to see how I mix and use them. Also there is no set rule for ratios, it depends on the colour I'm dyeing, the effect I'm going for and the amount of yarn I'm dyeing. The only way to figure out how to get the results you want is trial and error.

[@Mel79439]

Have you ever dyed the yarn when it’s still a hank?

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Sometimes I do twist the yarn in a hank as a resist technique that I use for some of my colourways.

[@Hide_and_silk]

First of all I am NOT advocating this but...I worked for a number of years in a colour works in the 1970s and no-one wore masks even with industrial scale production. Thankfully I suffered no ill effects but I smile when I see mask wearing for a fraction of a teaspoon of dye and think back to my colourworks days...

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Better safe then sorry😊.

[@catherinec7509]

First off, I love your videos. Thank you for sharing You rock! However, I worry about your approach. I sure would be concerned about having the dye on your hands. Skin does absorb chemicals and every dye company I have dealt with all recommend gloves. Chemicals on your hands are not good for you either. Please be safe.

[@EssenceofAutumnYarn]

Thanks for your concern. I agree it is always good practice to work as safely as possible.