For this MM (posting on Tuesday because what is time anyway?) we wanted to get you excited about some new mordanted yarn offerings we are launching in the upcoming weeks for the holiday season. In case you didn’t know, Kathy is an incredible yarn dyer and we wanted to share with you some of her fun tips on creating beautiful rainbow creations on yarn and fibers. With our mordanted yarn bases, you will be able to create your own color palettes and personalize yarns for your own projects!
Getting started
We will offer detailed instructions for basic yarn painting once we launch our mordanted yarn line, so hang tight. In the meantime, start looking around for inspiration: autumn landscapes, color combinations that catch your eye, or your favorite artwork and keep some ideas in a notebook for future reference.
The basic steps to getting started with yarn painting are
- Start with a color idea or inspiration and decide if you are going to create a semi-solid, a muted multi or a bright multi.
- Prepare your base yarn
- Choose your dyes and mix into concentrated liquids. Or, try our Aquarelle Liquid Dye range!
- Paint
- Steam set the color and dry cure the yarn
- Rinse and dry and ENJOY!
Special Tools and Equipment
You’ll need to find a few paint brushes that you like. I was trained to use Japanese textile brushes (surikomi) and John Marshall sells some nice ones. You can also use inexpensive craft or foam brushes, and they work great.
You’ll also need a way to steam the painted yarn. I use a steamer insert in my dye pot. I’ve also used an old microwave to do a quick steam when pressed for time.
Inspiration
I like to look at colors in nature and I love to look at antique Persian rugs, as they are frequently dyed with natural dyes and provide a wonderful palette to try out!
Other ways to get variegation
Paint unspun roving or top
Spin one strand variegated yarn and ply with a solid or another variegated yarn.
Is this only for protein yarns?
This technique can be used on any natural fiber yarn or roving, sliver, or top. The fiber type and mordant will create different shades. The mordanted yarn we are selling is a wool yarn.