Tag: Hand dyers
Basic Dye Terms
December 14th, 2020
Whether you are a veteran dyer or just getting started, there are a wide variety of terms that are helpful to learn. Today on the blog we are going to cover a variety of dyeing terms that will be useful to you wherever you are in your dyeing journey. Letโs get to it!
Acidic
A pH less than 7. Many dyes require an acidic environment, which can be created by adding white vinegar or citric acid into the dye bath.Acid dye
READ MOREHow Bare Yarn is Made: Spinning
December 8th, 2020
Spinning is probably the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of making yarn. In fact, the first examples of thread or yarn look quite similar to any of the yarns you might see today. These yarns were made using simple hand-powered spindles. As you can see from our video series, making yarn is a much more sophisticated process today, but the fundamentals of making yarn remain the same....
The Basic Science of Yarn Dyeing
December 3rd, 2020
We have all seen the beautiful colors that can be created by dyeing up a skein of yarn. But have you ever wondered why that happened? Today on the blog we are going to dive into the science behind dyeing yarn! We will cover acid dyes and natural dyes.ย
But first, a brief explanation of the structure of wool and other protein fibres. A protein fibre refers to a...
How To Dye an Easy Gradient on KNOMAD Sandstone
November 25th, 2020
Have you ever tried to hand dye a gradient on bare yarn? Many tutorials you will find online instruct you to make a gigantic loop of yarn. I tried to make a 50-foot long skein once. The whole endeavor had me tangled in knots! Not only did I transform my living room into a giant swift, but my cats were thrilled I created this cozy play structure for them!
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How Yarn is Made: Blending
November 17th, 2020
Next up in our video series, we learn more about the blending process. Blending, like the name suggests, is the step in the process when different fibres are mixed, or blended together. This process is an essential step in the yarn making process because the blend crafts the identity of the yarn. Take a typical sock yarn, for example, made from a combination of wool and nylon. The wool provides warmth and...
Meet the Team: Gina in Creative Marketing
November 16th, 2020
Queen of rainbow-hued knits Gina Roฬckenwagner wears many hats at Knomad. This talented yarn dyer oversees marketing and content creation, writing articles for our blog as well as coordinating marketing campaigns. Every day, Gina connects with our creative community of dyers as she manages Knomadโs social media channels. โI love seeing what people make with our yarn... what they dye, what they knit, crochet, and weave,โ Gina...
Dye a forest inspired speckle yarn on SALCANTAY
November 10th, 2020
With autumn finally here, the air is feeling crisp and the atmosphere is starting to get festive. Here in Southern California, fall doesnโt look as youโd expect it to! Beautiful fall foliage simply doesnโt exist. Nature walks this time of year look more like a desert than a forest. Since Iโm pining for a walk through the trees, and I canโt travel to the east coast for an autumn adventure like...
How to dye Starry Night inspired baby alpaca yarn
October 12th, 2020
Baby alpaca yarn is a treasure in a dyerโs arsenal. The delicate haze of baby alpaca and its delightful warmth make it a favorite for cold weather accessories and sweaters. Alpaca are naturally gentle on the ecosystem, making their fibre an environmentally friendly choice.ย
It can be tricky to dye alpaca, as the fibre does take a bit of coaxing to absorb the color to the intensity you might desire. Armed with a little bit of know how, we will have...
Two color kettle dye on STRATUS
September 17th, 2020
When KNOMAD launched, STRATUS instantly became one of my favorite yarns in the whole collection. Made from 80% extra fine merino wool and 20% nylon, the merino in STRATUS is some of the softest available. The small nylon content doesnโt noticeably affect the feel of this plump and round, 4 ply fingering weight yarn, it simply adds a touch of strength to the luxuriously soft merino!ย
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Dye Speckles on MAGNOLIA
August 28th, 2020
Magnolia reveals its beauty in layers, much like an onion. Upon first glance, I immediately noticed the beautiful shimmering quality of MAGNOLIA, thanks to its 20% mulberry silk content. By gazing closer at MAGNOLIA, I spy a glowy halo of superkid mohair. Getting up close and personal with this stunning bare yarn, I substance and familiar softness of fine superwash merino wool. This beautiful undyed yarn surpasses the subtle...
