Yarn dyeing behind the scenes #2

In the first episode of our follow-up about the yarn's path through the dyeing process ( which you can read here ), we showed how the yarn is soaked and made ready to receive dye. The next step is probably the most exciting! This is where all the secrets take place. Read along below and learn more about how we dye.

The yarn gets colour

Depending on the color to be made, we use different techniques. In general, the dyeing takes place either in large pots or in dishes that are placed in the oven. We have written down the recipes so that we ensure a uniform process and that the color resembles itself from time to time.

The colors are affected by many variables, and both temperature, humidity and the yarn's fiber composition play a role in the final result. That's the charm of hand-dyed yarn - no two dyeings are ever the same, and even the individual yarns in each dish or pot will not be completely identical.

We dissolve a color mixture and pour it over the yarn. Because the color is dissolved in water, it spreads easily and penetrates the yarn, resulting in fine and soft color transitions. We make sure to still leave some yarn undyed when we want to achieve greater shading. For some colours, we use several different color solutions, which can either lie separately or mix together in some places.

Afterwards we can make speckles on the yarn. We do this by sprinkling the color powder directly onto the yarn. Here it is easy to get caught up in the atmosphere, but as with so much else, it is the art of limitation - less is more!

When the yarn has acquired the right amount of colour, it goes into the oven, where it is heat-fixed. And then it's basically finished, but we have to have it in our hands several times before it's completely ready to knit. Stay tuned next week as we show the final steps in the process.

Good weekend!