How to Dye a Wool Sweater With Kool-Aid

Choose from a wide variety of Kool-Aid colors when dyeing your sweater.

Dyeing a sweater with Kool-Aid is a quick and safe method to get colorful clothing. Some wool dyes are harsh and contain chemicals that are not so suitable for the beginner. While Kool-Aid usually is purchased to be consumed, you can use it to effectively dye wool without the risk of ruining your kitchen or your utensils. Kool-Aid is inexpensive and easy to find at the grocery store, and is fun and safe for kids to use.

Things You'll Need

• Sweater
• Kool-Aid
• Newspaper
• Pan
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Ensure you have a real wool sweater. Kool-Aid only dyes animal fibers and will not take to imitation wool such as acrylic. Choose a white or cream-colored sweater to produce a color that more closely matches the color of the Kool-Aid. Dyeing dark-colored sweaters will not produce noticeable results.

2. Spread newspaper out on a kitchen counter or table. Wear an apron to protect your clothes. The sweater you are dyeing should be the only fabric exposed to the Kool-Aid.

3. Weigh your sweater. You can use kitchen scales. Buy one packet of Kool-Aid for every ounce of sweater weight. Wash the sweater; it will take the color better if it is free of dirt and grease.

4. Put the sweater in a large pan. Submerse it completely in clean warm water. Let it soak for about 5 minutes or until the water has thoroughly penetrated the fibers.

5. Add the Kool-Aid to the water. Do not add sugar or anything else. Mix the Kool-Aid around gently in the water with the sweater.

6. Place the pan on the stove over a medium heat. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat so that the liquid simmers. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 30 minutes, monitoring it throughout. Stir regularly with a long plastic spoon or smooth stick. Kool-Aid will dye a wooden spoon. Should the water evaporate and the sweater become exposed to the air, add more hot water. Do not let the pan boil dry because the sweater will burn.

7. Remove the pan from the heat after 30 minutes. The Kool-Aid should have been absorbed into the wool, leaving only clear or milky colored water in the pan. Allow the pan and its contents to cool to room temperature.

8. Remove the sweater from the pan and rinse it in warm water. Rinse until the wool feels clean and there is no more milky colored water.

9. Wash your sweater according to the directions on its label. The Kool-Aid dye should stay fast and not leach or dye other garments. Some Kool-Aid colors will fade if the sweater is exposed often to direct sunlight.

References

• It's a Stitch Up: Dyeing Wool with Kool-Aid -- Immersion Method
• Knitty: Dyed in the Wool
• Wool Festival: Dyeing Yarn With Kool-Aid