About
Have you ever wondered indie dyers create beautiful, brightly colored skeins of yarn? Let a local indie dyer show you!
About the Class
In this two-part introductory class, you will learn the basics of dyeing wool yarn with acid dyes, a non-caustic type of synthetic dye activated by simple white vinegar or citric acid. You will learn essential safety procedures, planning colorways, making dye stocks, and how to use them.
You will be introduced to the hand-painting method, which is an easy, fun, and versatile dye style that's perfect for beginners. During the workshop, you will engage in guided color play to create your own unique skein of hand-painted yarn.
Day 1
- The basics of dye safety
- How acid dyes work
- How to plan a successful colorway
Day 2
You will get your (gloved) hands dirty, and dye your own yarn! You will hand-paint a skein of fingering weight superwash merino. This technique gives you the chance to really play with the color while learning about dye stocks and how to use them.
You might also be interested in Surface Design: Dyeing Consistent Colorways on Yarn coming up in June.
Details:
- Skill Level: Beginning
- Wear dark colors and/or something that you don't mind getting stained. Dyeing can be a messy process.
- Due to the nature of dyeing, there may be some down time while waiting for dye to set. If you want to play with more colors during this time, additional materials kits will be available for purchase for $12 (does not include respirator). Feel free to bring another project to work on while you wait.
- A $15 materials kit fee is included in the cost of the class. Details below.
- Bring a lunch. BARN has a microwave and a refrigerator on the lower level.
Project
You will leave with at least one skein of dyed yarn, a chance to play with color, and beginning dyeing skills.
Materials
Students should bring rubber gloves and an apron.
The materials kit includes one skein of fingering weight superwash merino yarn (100g/490 yards), one disposable respirator, and enough dye and citric acid to fully saturate a skein with color.
Class Policies
Instructor
Ship Pryce gets inspiration for yarn colorways from her fandoms and from anime, video games, and "other nerdy things." Some of her favorite fandoms to dye yarn for are: Final Fantasy XIV, Voltron: Legendary Defender, Genshin Impact, Critical Role, and Studio Ghibli Films. Ship has been dyeing yarn since 2018, crocheting since 2010, and more recently picked up knitting and weaving. She has always loved sharing her passions with others, whether that is screaming about the things she loves, or teaching others how to create.
Ship live streams her yarn dyeing weekly on Twitch along with her Bernese mountain dog, Pico; and golden retriever, Eri.
