Amy Reader

Posted on: Dyeing yarnNovember 7, 2022

Pumpkin Orange on CIRRUS

Pumpkin orange on CIRRUS

The crisp fall months are upon us and that means it is time to curl up with a warm seasonal beverage, a great podcast, and a fall knitting project. Today we will be dyeing a cozy fall pumpkin orange on CIRRUS, a charming mohair and silk blend that is quite literally warm and fuzzy.

Dyeing our yarn while the bath is hot results in a semi solid color application creating pockets of deeper and lighter saturation for a beautiful, tonal orange. Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES

1. Two skeins CIRRUS
2. Quarter Teaspoon
3. Tablespoon
4. Measuring cups
5. Spoon
6. Citric Acid
7. Dharma Acid Dye in Monarch Orange and Saffron Spice
8. Two glass jars
9. Masking tape and marker
10. Slow cooker or steel pot with lid + heat source
11. Tongs
12. Gloves
13. Apron
14. Respirator mask
15. Large bowl
16. Water
17. Zip Ties (optional)
18. Newspapers or garbage bags (optional)
19. Salad spinner or yarn spinner (optional)
    *Any materials used in acid dyeing are no longer food safe and should be kept separate

PRESOAK

Fill your bowl with cool water and dissolve two tablespoons of citric acid into it. If you are using zip ties, loop a zip tie through each skein before submerging the yarn in the water. Allow the yarn to fully absorb the water before dyeing.

This process usually takes an hour. A thorough presoak helps create an even dye application. Protein fibres like mohair have a protective outer cuticle later that will swell and open during the presoak process.

This swelling allows the dye pigment to be deposited directly to the core during the dye process resulting in an even dye application.

TIP: for this method, you can presoak your yarn in your dyeing vessel.

PREPARE THE DYE

Label each of your jars with the corresponding dye colors: Monarch Orange and Saffron Spice. Fill each jar with the hottest water from your tap. Put on your respirator, apron, and gloves.

Powdered dyes are a lung irritant, so take care and keep your respirator on while the dyes are in their powdered form. Dissolve a one-quarter teaspoon of the corresponding dye into each jar. Stir gently to dissolve.

DYE THE YARN

Transfer the dye and the soaking liquid into your dye pot. If needed, add more water until the yarn is fully submerged with ample extra liquid for the yarn to move. Generally, this means filling your dye pot up to about two inches below the top. Turn on the heat to medium-high and cover the yarn for at least fifteen minutes.

Once the yarn is hot, pour the Monarch Orange dye solution into the dye pot. Use tongs to manipulate the yarn, ensuring the dye flows freely around the pot. Replace the lid and allow the yarn to set for fifteen minutes.

Next, pour the Saffron Spice dye solution over the yarn. Once again, use tongs to maneuver the yarn to ensure the dye can reach the bottom of the dye bath. Replace the lid and let the yarn set until the dye bath is exhausted.

A dye bath is exhausted when the surrounding water is clear. After about thirty minutes, you can check this by dipping a white spoon or cup into the water. Once the dye bath is exhausted, turn off the heat and allow the yarn to cool.

COOL, RINSE, AND DRY

Once the yarn has cooled fully, rinse it thoroughly under cool running water. Squeeze out the excess periodically as you rinse it. A salad spinner is a great tool to help express any excess dye pigments during the rinsing process. Once the water runs clear, squeeze out the excess water and hang the yarn to dry.

THE FINISHED YARN

The blend of Monarch Orange and Saffron Spice on the soft, fuzzy CIRRUS creates a stunning tonal orange. The texture of CIRRUS has a wonderful dimensional quality that highlights the multifaceted pumpkin orange created by blending these two colors.

Both mohair and silk are soft and light, giving this yarn an airy quality to complement the delicate hand feel. What colors are you planning on dyeing this fall? Let us know in the comments! And share your work with us on social media using #knomadyarn and @knomad_yarn. We can’t wait to see what you make!