Learn how to dye your own beautiful yarn or wool roving with the easy kettle dye method
A few years ago, I shared a tutorial on how to Kettle Dye Yarn and I decided it was time for an update. The information in that post is all good but the photos are … well …. not so much.
This was a very early FiberArtsy post and I had a lot to learn. So, hence this new and improved kettle dyeing tutorial.
Note: In this post, I’m dyeing wool roving for an upcoming wet felting project. The steps to kettle dye yarn are exactly the same as for wool so feel free to substitute.
The basic steps for Kettle Dyeing Yarn or Wool Roving:
- Soak yarn or wool in warm water and vinegar
- Prepare dyes according to package directions
- Carefully pour small amounts of dye onto one section wool
- Repeat with other colors
- Heat set
- Gently rinse and hang to dry
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. See Disclosure for details.
For this particular roving, I used Jacquard Acid Dyes, but feel free to experiment with Rit Dye or food colors such as Wilton, especially if you are a beginner.
FYI, this is my favorite source for Dyeable Yarn
If you’re new to wool dyeing, you may be interested in Beginner’s Guide to Dyeing Yarn and How to Set Yarn Dye with Heat
What is Kettle Dyeing?
When you Kettle Dye wool, you dye and heat set the yarn or roving in one container. It’s a much quicker process than hand painting yarn where you paint the dye onto the yarn and then heat set it.
The downside to kettle dyeing is that you have less control over where the dyes end up. They tend to run together and blend more than with hand painting, which I actually like.
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Useful Supplies:
– Wool Yarn or Roving
– Acid Dyes (I used Turquoise, Vermillion, Aztec Gold and Yellow Sun)
– White Vinegar
– Old Roasting Pan
– Mesh Fabric (s.a. a laundry bag)
– Mason Jars or Cups (one per color) (no longer food safe)
– Plastic spoons and/or chop sticks
– Dust Mask
– Gloves (optional)
– Stove top or Hot Plate
Safety Note:
NEVER use pots, pans, measuring cups etc. that are used for food prep.
ALWAYS wear a face mask when handling dry dye powder.
Helpful Tip from Gail Callahan Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece: Cover your work surface with newspaper and spritz them with water. This will attract dry dye particles that may escape.
Step by step instructions
Prepare the Wool Dye
To begin, you will mix your dye powders, one per mason jar, according to the manufacturer’s directions on the container. It can be a little confusing when you need to mix a smaller amount. As a general rule of thumb, I use 1 teaspoon of dye powder per pint of water.
Safety Note: Always wear your dust mask when handling dye powder!
Prepare the Yarn or Roving
In order for the wool to thoroughly absorb the dyes, it has to be presoaked in water. To do this, put about one inch of warm water into the roasting pan and then add approximately 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Next, lay the mesh fabric inside the roasting pan.
Now, carefully place the yarn or roving in the pan and push it down repeatedly into the water. Then just let the fiber soak for about 30 minutes or longer to ensure that it is completely wet.
Apply the Dye to the Yarn
Now comes the fun part! Pick your first color and then slowly and carefully pour some dye onto one section of the yarn/roving. Add small amounts of dye … you only want as much as the fiber can absorb and no more.
It’s a little tricky to know how much is enough but keep in mind, you can always add more.
Using a spoon or chop stick, gently move the fiber so that the dye can penetrate the part you wish to dye that color. Be careful not to move your fiber too much, which can cause felting.
Once you are happy with the first color, apply the second color near the first but not touching. The dyes will migrate and blend on their own. See the green?
Now you will repeat the above steps with the remaining colors. You can add as many colors as you want, just remember to add them slowly.
Heat Set the Wool Dyes
To fix the colors to the wool, place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Gently simmer the fiber for about 40 minutes. Note: You don’t want big, rapid bubbles which can cause felting, just an easy simmer. Turn off the heat and let the wool cool.
At this point, the water should be mostly clear. Very carefully, rinse your yarn/roving with room temperature water until it runs completely clear.
Note: Don’t handle your fiber too much or it may felt. Finally, simply hang it up to dry. Now, your beautiful dyed yarn is ready to use.
I hope this tutorial has been helpful. Have you tried kettle dyeing? How did it turn out?
Enjoy! Annette
This Yarn Dyeing Kit is great for Beginners
The kit includes yarn hanks, roving, the dyes, equipment, gloves, an awesome color tutorial booklet. BEAUTIFUL KIT!!!
How Do You Dye Tonal Yarn?
Tonal Yarn (also called Semi Solid Dyed Yarn) is has been dyed with various strengths of the same color. Meaning, that some areas are lighter and some are darker shades with stronger tones but the basic color is the same.
Here is a tutorial which shows you how to dye semi solid or tonal yarn.
Can I use food coloring to dye yarn?
Yes, you can absolutely dye yarn with food colors, as long as it is made of a protein fiber such sheep wool or alpaca. Cellulose fibers like cotton, hemp or bamboo will not take food dyes and neither will synthetic yarns (nylon, acrylic, etc.)
Get your Free Guide . . .
Safety First! Get Your Free Dyeing Safety Checklist
Before you begin any dyeing project, make sure you follow these important guidelines to ensure your process is not toxic or dangerous.
HOW TO KETTLE DYE YARN AND WOOL ROVING (Step by step Guide)
Materials
- Wool Yarn or Roving
- Acid Dyes (I used Turquoise, Vermillion, Aztec Gold and Yellow Sun)
- White Vinegar
- Mesh Fabric (s.a. a laundry bag)
Tools
- Old Roasting Pan
- Mason Jars or Cups
- Plastic spoons and/or chop sticks
- Dust Mask
- Gloves (optional)
- Stove top or Hot Plate
Instructions
- Mix your dye powders, one per mason jar, according to the manufacturer’s directions on the container.
- Presoak the wool in water. To do this, put about one inch of warm water into the roasting pan and then add approximately 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Place the mesh fabric in the pan, then the yarn and push it down repeatedly into the water. Let the fiber soak for about 30 minutes.
- Pick your first color and then slowly and carefully pour some dye onto one section of the yarn. Add small amounts of dye. Repeat with all colors.
- To fix the colors to the wool, place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Gently simmer the fiber for about 40 minutes. Note: You don’t want big, rapid bubbles which can cause felting, just an easy simmer. Turn off the heat and let the wool cool. Finally, rinse carefully with room temperature water and hang to dry.
Notes
Safety Note:
NEVER use pots, pans, measuring cups etc. that are used for food prep.ALWAYS wear a face mask when handling dry dye powder.
Helpful Tip from Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece by Gail Callahan: Cover your work surface with newspaper and spritz them with water. This will attract dry dye particles that may escape.
Download my free Dyeing Safety Cheatsheet
Recommended Products
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Related Yarn Dyeing Articles
- How to Dye Yarn (made of wool)
- Beginner’s Guide to Hand Dyeing Yarn
- 6 Yarn and Wool Dyeing Techniques
- Heat Setting Wool Dyes
- How to Hand Paint Yarn
- How to Speckle Dye
- Dyeing Semi Solid or Tonal Yarn
- How to Dye Self Striping Yarn
- Dyeing Cotton Yarn
- Dye Yarn in a Slow Cooker or Crock Pot
- Best Yarn Dyeing Supplies and Tools
- Dyeing Yarn with Kool Aid or Food Coloring
