Spicy
I was in the local spinning/weaving/knitting store last weekend and happened to catch the owner while she was dyeing some yarns using natural dyes. I had lots of questions about materials and mordants and she suggested I try using turmeric as a gateway drug dye since it doesn’t need a mordant.
I put my plan into action this weekend, digging out an almost-full skein of Knit Picks Bare Superwash Merino DK that was left over from a sock project I just finished for Knit Picks.
I heated some water in a stockpot, added some turmeric (about 2 teaspoons for a 100g skein of yarn), and simmered the mixture for about 10 minutes. In the meantime, I soaked the skein of yarn in some warm water. I purposefully didn’t make much effort to ensure the skein was completely and evenly saturated because I was aiming for a mottled look so I didn’t want the dye to take up evenly throughout the skein.
I plunked the skein into the dye bath and simmered it for about 20-30 minutes.
Voila
I should probably mention here that I hate the color yellow with the heat of a thousand burning suns. But, although it’s hard to tell by the slightly off-color photo, the yarn turned out a rich, golden, honey-yellow color. Gorgeous!
I’ve already begun a project with the yarn since I couldn’t just tuck this beautiful skein away after it was dry.
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29 comments Susan | dyeing, knitting
I know turmeric is a stubborn dye after using it to can pickles. I didn’t mean to use it as dye, you understand. It’s tenacious.
Personally, I’m a big fan of yellow. And that yellow is LOVELY! I don’t do much dying, but I do have some Knit Picks Bare in my stash. I had thought to use KoolAid, but turmeric might just be the way to go!
We feel the same way about yellow. But the dyeing was a success. What color/natural dye is next?
I’m not a huge yellow fan, but my mother is–it’s her favorite color. I’m always keeping my eye out for nice yellows because of that, and this is lovely!
I’m also one who doesn’t like many yellows (yellowy greens, either), and I think your yarn turned out pretty.
Brilliant!
Beautiful!
Off to buy some turmeric! What a great yarn….I like certain yellows, and those would be them (they?)!
Did you use any mordant? I found tumeric dyed yarn fades with light if you don’t use a mordant. I used kitchen alum to good effect.
I thought I had posted pics on my blog from textile dye day. I can’t find the post so I will try to post a picture of what we got later today.
If you can get your hands on some walnut hulls (the green things outside the nut part), they make a really nice brown that doesn’t require a mordant.
I like yellow, and I like your color of yarn.
i’m yellow with envy
Wow – that is so pretty! I’ve never even thought about dying (I’ve considered myself too much a beginner yet…) but I’ve been looking for the perfect fingering weight, honey colored yarn and I think you’ve just inspired my solution! It’s just gorgeous!
Wow, I guess I could have extrapolated that you could dye yarn with turmeric b/c I’ve dyed my countertop with it before, but I never did.
That is MY kind of yellow! Beautiful!
It’s lovely! Did someone say walnut hulls? If you want some, I can probably get some.
I’ve wondered now and then (while Magic-Erasing my turmeric-stained countertop… we cook with it all the time) why I never hear of the stuff being used as a fabric dye. And now, I have.
I think the yarn is lovely, though I do seem to be entering a ‘gold’ phase recently.
Beautiful! I love yellow!
I feel that way about orange, less so about yellow but that yellow I really like. I may have to go play with the turmeric myself now too.
Beautiful yarn. I can’t wait to see what you make with it.
oooooooo, lovely! I have too much cream cotton fleece (antique white) and ditto some washable chunky wool that I want to dye. I’d like a dirtier version of this yellow, or maybe more ochre or brown or or or…
How does it smell? Like curry?
I think it looks lovely, although, of course, I LIKE yellow and golds. (And, did you know, a dash of turmeric in a pot of white rice turns it a lovely, golden color, too? Without changing the flavor?)
The yarn turned out so nice. So you like the color yellow, huh? Hmmm.
Beautiful!
beautiful! I have to try tumeric for dyeing.
Well, after being up all night checking out websites and blogs thanks to you, I had to check this out and see what the fuss is all about. I have to agree the yarn is definitely (and beautifully) yellow. Not that there’s anything wrong with that….
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There are yellows I love (butter) and yellows I hate (mustard). That one is definitely yellow, and definitely buttery.
I agree with you, I very very rarely like yellow, but this one is beautiful! I can’t wait to see what you make with it.
I dyed some Merino the same way last month and I really liked the results. Also not a big fan of yellow, this shade is really nice. And the socks I knit are pretty.
I had actually planned to dye my Merino with red beets but was too lazy to go shop for some and with the itch in my fingers to start the process, it was turmeric. Walnut hulls are also a very good idea.
Susanne
I have done a lot of plant dyeing, and hate to be the one to tell you, but a disproportionate number of plants that will dye wool and remain colorfast make… yellow. You might investigate black walnut outer hulls next, as they make a nice medium brown… these are not the shells, but the green outer hulls that cover the shells… you should be able to drive through the older neighborhoods and locate a tree; the owners might even pay you for picking them up!