How to Dye Wool Yarn With Crepe Paper
To be more ecologically friendly, people in the 21st century are looking to more natural and homegrown ways of doing tasks previously accomplished with chemicals, mass production lines and plastic. Using crepe paper to make dye for wool is one such ecology-minded method, as it yields almost no waste. Use previously used crepe paper to change the color of either new wool or wool from an old article of clothing or a blanket.
Things You'll Need
- 2 oz. wool yarn
- Bowl
- ½ cup white vinegar
- Water
- Coffee can
- Sheet of crepe paper
- Tongs
- Wood board
Instructions
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Lay the wool yarn in a bowl and fill the bowl with water until you cover the wool. Pour 1/4 cup of white vinegar into the water and leave the yarn overnight.
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2
Remove the yarn from the bowl and squeeze out the water. Set the yarn aside while you make the dye.
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3
Boil 2 qts. of water in a large coffee can on the stove, and submerge the sheet of crepe paper in the hot water. Let the paper simmer for 15 minutes.
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4
Pull the paper carefully out of the can with your tongs and squeeze the excess water from the paper back into the can. Let any remaining water drip from the paper and throw it directly into the garbage.
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5
Drop the soaked wool into the can of colored water, and pour in the rest of the vinegar. Allow the contents to simmer for 15 minutes.
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6
Watch the yarn and push it down under the water while it simmers using tongs or a spoon. Don't shake the can; just gently stir it to keep the yarn in contact with the water.
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7
Turn off the heat and leave the can on the stove until it is cool enough to touch, then remove the yarn. Rinse the liquid from the yarn and spread it out on a wood board to dry. You will see that the yarn has absorbed the color of the crepe paper.
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Tips & Warnings
Use as large of a sheet of crepe paper as possible, because ripping and tearing it reduces the flow of the dye.
Do not leave the wet crepe paper on top of a fabric surface; the color will transfer and stain it.
References
- Photo Credit Kathleen Brennan/Digital Vision/Getty Images
