I Dyed Our Own Yarn

***Post contains affiliate links- which means if you make a purchase from the links below, I will get a small percentage of the sales at no additional cost to you ***

I have been following a few independent yarn dyers for a few months now and find the entire process so interesting. While I have no future plans of becoming a professional yarn dyer, I do like seeing the final results. However, I did have a whole lot of fun with the kids on our yarn dying adventure using Kool-Aid.

I stumbled upon Chemknits on YouTube last month and fell in love with her video series on dying yarn with Kool-aid. After watching her video “Dyepot Weekly #197 – Dip Dyeing Yarn in Two Flavors of KoolAid – A Great Beginner’s Project!” I knew this was a perfect project to do with the kids while they are learning from home.

The Yarn

I wanted to use the yarn that Rebecca from Chemknits used, Sparkle Sock, for a few different reasons. The first reason is because I knew this yarn would work since she used it. Secondly, I’ve been working with a lot of fingering weight yarn lately. The last reason, THE SPARKLES!!!

The yarn can be purchased at DyerSupplier.com. The Sparkle Sock is a blended yarn containing: 70% Merino Wool, 20% Nylon, and 10% Stellina. There are A LOT of other options to choose from that you could use instead, and they should work the same way.

Sparkle Sock Yarn by Dyer Supplier. It’s hard to capture the sparkles on camera but if you look closely its you can tell it’s there.

The Kool-Aid

We have a large stash of Kool-Aid in our home. I tend to buy packets in pairs to make a gallon at a time, but I do have a few flavors where there is only one. According to Rebecca’s directions, I would need one packet of two different colors.

Once my yarn arrived, I dove into our Kool-Aid stash to see what color options I had. I saw that we had a single packet of Watermelon that was past the expiration date. One color down, one more to go.

The only other colors I have that would work well with the pink were red and purple; Cherry or Grape. Since I wanted two different colors, I decided on the purple that the Grape would provide.

Dying The Yarn

Using Rebecca’s video as a guide, I grabbed a large container that we rarely use to let the yarn soak in tap water for about 30 minutes. While the yarn was soaking, I grabbed all the other materials we would need.

I asked the kids which color they wanted to do, luckily they didn’t argue about it. Zoe wanted to do the Watermelon/pink and Gavyn picked the Grape/purple. Gavyn grabbed the pot and I had Zoe measure out the 8 cups of water we needed (a great way to practice fractions).

While the water was heating up on the stove, I added the first packet to the water. Rebecca advises to use the least concentrated color first, so pink it was. It worked out perfectly since Zoe wanted to do the pink, she will be the example that Gavyn needed to see. When the water reached a low simmer, I placed the pot on the kitchen floor. This made it easier and safer for the kids to reach.

Zoe did a great job and followed directions really well. She slowly lowered the yarn into the pot and made sure each strand was able have access to the dye. After a few minutes 95% of the color was in the yarn and we just put the rest of the hank into the pot. I returned the pot to the stove and removed the yarn to a separate container to cool off.

We followed the same process for the Grape/purple color. While the water was heating up again, I moved the zip-tie to the opposite end from where it was for when we dipped the pink. Gavyn dipped the yarn a few time and then gave up. It worked out perfectly so I could have a turn too.

The Results

After washing and drying overnight, I was able to put the yarn back in hank form. The results are stunning!

The way the sparkles shimmer and shine against the contrast of the darker purples is absolutely gorgeous. I don’t know how long I can wait to start a project with it; oh wait, I already did.

Right after I took these pictures I got my yarn swift and cake winder out. Ten minutes later, I had the cutest cake of yarn ready to be made into the project.

I ended up dying another skein in a semi-solid purple, using just the grape. I didn’t have enough to make my Amethyst Scarf in just the one color. I love the end result!

Purchase your Amethyst Scarf Pattern on Ravelry & Etsy.


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Emerald Asymmetrical Shawl

May 2020 features the Emerald Asymmetrical Shawl. The fifth pattern in the Birthstone Collection. The theme for 2020, where each month I have a cowl, scarf, or shawl pattern in the color of that month’s birthstone.

Other patterns available in the Birthstone Collection:
Garnet Cowl – January
Amethyst Scarf – February
Zoe’s Aquamarine Infinity Scarf – March
Diamond Shawl – April
Pearl Infinity Cowl – June
Ruby Shawl – July
Peridot Shawl– August
Sapphire Shawl – September
Opal Shawl – October
Citrine Scarf – November
Turquoise Scarf – December

The Yarn

This pattern has been a labor of love for over a year now. In March 2019, I special ordered my yarn from MelodyyByWolltraum on Etsy. I originally name for the Emerald Shawl was “Kelly Shawl” but when it fits perfectly within the Birthstone Collection, you adjust.

You could use any yarn. I recommend using a ‘cake style’ yarn because this design is perfect for the gradients available. The shawl will look great in a solid color too. The yarn doesn’t need to be a fingering weight yarn either, go ahead and use your favorite worsted weight. I do advice to not go any larger than a #4 weight, you might loose the detail of the stitches.

The Pattern Notes

This design can be a little tricky at first. The slip stitch rows tend to push the top of the previous row forward.  When working the next row, try to make sure that to put the stitch in the slip stitch and NOT the top of the previous row.  If having difficulty try doing a sample piece using contrasting colors.

Yours doesn’t need to be as long as mine, I custom ordered the cake so I wanted to use it all. Make yours as long or short as you would like.

Supplies

– 1246 Yards/10.6 oz 4ply Wolltraum cake, Red Heart It’s a Wrap or similar weight yarn
– G/4.00mm crochet hook
– Scissors
– Measuring tape
– Yarn needle

Stitches Used

Ch – Chain
Sc – Single Crochet
Sl St – Slip Stitch
Tr – Treble Crochet

Availability

This pattern is available to purchase in my Etsy & Ravelry Shops.


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I’d love to hear from you! Don’t hesitate to contact me. Let me know what you’re working on or designs that you’d like to see in the future. Use the links above or email me at crochetsbytrista@gmail.com.

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Vascular Birthmarks Foundation

To donate directly to Vascular Birthmarks Foundation HERE.

Vascular Birthmarks Foundation has become a cause that is near and dear to my heart. In 2015, my son Gavyn was born with a Port-Wine Stain Birthmark (PWS) on the left side of his face and head.

Our Journey

When Gavyn was first born, the pediatrician at the hospital told my husband and me that the redness on his face and head wasn’t bruising from the delivery, but was a Port-Wine Stain Birthmark.  She gave us a quick overview but wanted to wait to talk to his normal pediatrician and go from there.  That evening we did our own research and learned that every birthmark is individually unique, just like the person who is born with it.

Some birthmarks are small, some are large; some can be dark, some can be light.  Depending on where the birthmark is, it can cause other medical issues. One main medical concern with Gavyn’s birthmark, since part of it is over his eye, is that he can develop glaucoma. We see an ophthalmologist every year to be proactive regarding this concern.

Gayvn sleeping in the car with a clear picture of his birthmark
Gavyn at around 2 weeks old. You can clearly see his birthmark, and how much of his face it covers.

Another concern was the psychological effects Gavyn’s birthmark could have on him as he grew older. Would kids bully him because he is different? We didn’t know if he would wear his birthmark as a badge of honor or if it would make him self-conscious. After consulting with a few dermatologists, my husband and I decided that laser treatments to help reduce the redness of Gavyn’s birthmark would be best for him. Four years later, I’m really glad that we made the decision we did.

Gavyn sitting up after his first laser treatment
The afternoon of Gavyn’s first laser treatment.

In March 2016 Gavyn had his first laser treatment. Both my husband and I were nervous wrecks the whole 20 minutes he was having the procedure done. Over the course of the rest of the year, Gavyn underwent five more treatments. Each one was easier than the last, except the final one.  He was 18 months old at that point, and I think by then he became more aware of what was going on. We were happy with the results and came to the conclusion that if he wants to have more laser treatments in the future, it would be up to him.

The appearance of his birthmark is almost gone, except for the small section on his cheek.

Spreading Awareness

Every year on May 15th, International Vascular Birthmarks Awareness Day, we participate in the #putonyourbirthmark social media campaign. My daughter and I draw hearts on our left cheeks and post our pictures to help spread joy and awareness for vascular birthmarks. I also send a note to her teachers about the reason behind the heart on her cheek, and they are just as supportive.

A collage of the first four years of our #putyourbirthmarkon campaign
May 15th is International Vascular Birthmarks Awareness Day. We help spread awareness by participating in the #putyourbirthmarkon social media campaign. Before school of the hearts on our left cheeks.

My Hopes For The Future

Gavyn’s birthmark and his story are uniquely his. In Gavyn’s case, he has the “ideal” birthmark — it’s just on the surface and doesn’t affect his brain or mouth. The laser treatments worked and lightened how red his birthmark was. Many people and families aren’t as lucky as we were.

With the money raised, other families that aren’t as fortunate as ours will have access to the best resources to help themselves or loved ones who are born with vascular birthmarks. I don’t want other parents to worry about the costs of the many surgeries that their child needs. I don’t want kids to feel like they are “less than” because they are different.

No matter what the decision, I hope that each person born with a vascular birthmark learns to wear their birthmark as a badge of honor. They were born uniquely different for a reason!



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Diamond Shawl

My Diamond Shawl is the fourth pattern available in the ‘Birthstone Collection.’  The theme for 2020, where each month I have a cowl, scarf, or shawl pattern in the color of that month’s birthstone.

Other patterns available in the Birthstone Collection:
Garnet Cowl – January
Amethyst Scarf – February
Zoe’s Aquamarine Infinity Scarf – March
Emerald Asymmetrical Shawl – May
Pearl Infinity Cowl – June
Ruby Shawl – July
Peridot Shawl– August
Sapphire Shawl – September
Opal Shawl – October
Citrine Scarf – November
Turquoise Scarf – December

The Yarn

Months ago when I had decided that I would design a collection around each months birthstones, I knew that I wanted a white yarn, but with a little extra something to it. When searching the shelves of my local craft store, I finally found it. Bernat Baby Coordinates is perfect for the vision that I had.

As you can see in the picture below, the yarn is white with an added shimmer to it. With this extra shimmer within the yarn, it will help bring the illusion of the facets of a cut diamond.

The Pattern

From the beginning, I just knew that the design had to be in the shape of a diamond. I had a ton of questions going through my head. How was I going to get this to work out? How would I set my design apart from others? What’s the extra something that I could add to the original thoughts?

I then had my “Eureka” moment. I can make the shawl in the shape of a diamond made up of smaller diamonds! That’s when I got to work on the design.

Once I figured out the shape of the diamond I was looking for, the design just starting working up so quickly. It did take me a little while to get the wording down correctly though.

Standing Double Crochet/Long Chain Double Crochet/Chainless Starting Double Crochet

When I first started the design, I wasn’t liking the traditional chain 3 (or even 2) at the beginning of the row. There was too much of a gap between the first and second stitches. This gap was throwing off the clean look of the diamond shape.

I’ve done a few variations of the Starting Double Crochet/Long Chain Double Crochet/Chainless Starting Double Crochet in the past. They are essentially all work up the same and create the same result. I advise trying each one and seeing which one you prefer the most. I used the ‘Long Chain Double Crochet’ in this pattern and called it ‘Starting Double Crochet.’

My favorite videos for these types of stitches are:
Improved Chainless Starting Double Crochet – Tamara Kelly of Moogly Blog.
Long Chain Double Crochet – Michelle Ferguson of Two Brothers Blankets *note – left handed version, but still the same technique for right handed.

Stitch Definition:
Pull up your loop to the height of your usual Double Crochet. Yarn over, insert into the 1st St, yarn over, pull through the Stitch, yarn over, pull through two loops on the hook, yarn over, pull through the remaining two loops on your hook.

Supplies:

– Approximately 750 Yards of Bernat Baby Coordinates
– H/5.00 mm Crochet Hook
– Measuring Tape
– Scissors
– Yarn Needle

Availabilty

The Diamond Shawl pattern is now available to purchase on both Ravelry and Etsy.


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Staying Focused

During this trying time its hard to stay focused on your usual everyday tasks. If your home is anything like mine, its definitely a change to the routine.

I’m temporarily out of work, the kids are home (possibly for the rest of the school year) and my oldest has shifted to doing an online learning plan. With all these changes to our daily routine, I still have a business to stay on top of.

I’ve been a stay at home mom since becoming a mom, so I’m used to the kids being home when they aren’t in school. My son usually goes to prekindergarten for a few hours a day during the week.

Schooling

We were able to borrow a computer from our school department so my daughter could stay connected to her teachers. This has been a great asset for her to have, and it makes me think of what the less fortunate families are going through without access to technology.

Back when I was 18, my major in college was education. If I hadn’t had the three semesters of the education courses back then, I’d probably be up a creek without a paddle right now. I’ve even been able to give her real life applications of what she’s reading and doing in her lessons. Just the other day I had her adding fractions by filling up a measure cup with water, and helping me cook.

With my son, I’ve been having him stay on top of his numbers and letters of the alphabet so he’s ready for kindergarten in the fall. In all honesty, I haven’t been putting as much effort into his school work as I have been with my daughter’s.

Schedule

Ideally, I try to get the bulk of business related work, school work, and household duties done before lunch. With this schedule it gives me (and the kids) a break to do our own things in the afternoon. Some days are easier than others.

We’re all still adjusting to what works best for all of us. The kids are also starting to see that I just don’t sit around and crochet all day and that a bulk of my work is on the computer and networking with other designers and crochet business owners.

We have a pretty lax schedule.

  • Wake up anywhere between 7:00/ 8:00 AM
  • Breakfast and morning reading
  • School work / Business Computer work 9:00 – 12:00
  • Lunch
  • Playtime/Screen time and any other work I need to do 1:00 – 3:30
  • Clean-up time and dinner prep 4:00 – 5:00
  • Dinner
  • Family movie time/showers/get ready for bed
  • Bed 8:30 PM

Outings

We’ve barely left the house in the three weeks that the schools here in Massachusetts have been closed. We might run errands such as going to their school to pick up learning packets, to the bank, or the pharmacy, but the kids don’t leave the car and we practice social distancing.

When the weather is nicer I try to get them to go outside and play. Its been raining (and even snowing) the last week so its been a little tough. I’m going to try to add in a daily walk into our routine when the weather is nice, keyword try. Maybe even get them nice and dirty while doing work out in the yard and garden.

My Business

I just did a review of my business goals from the last three months. I didn’t meet my initial goals but I came close. When planning out my goals for the next quarter, I took into consideration that my kids might not be going back to school for the remainder of the school year.

If we continue with our routine now, maybe with a few tweaks, I think we can make it the next six months until school starts again in September.

I still need to get my stuff done for my business. A lot goes into the designing process, so even though it doesn’t look like a lot on the calendar, trust me IT IS.

Stay tuned for upcoming posts, including my designing process.


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