How to Kettle Dye Yarn and Wool Roving

Learn how to dye your own beautiful yarn or wool roving with the easy kettle dye method

A few years ago, I shared a tutorial on how to Kettle Dye Yarn and I decided it was time for an update. The information in that post is all good but the photos are … well …. not so much.

This was a very early FiberArtsy post and I had a lot to learn. So, hence this new and improved kettle dyeing tutorial.

Note: In this post, I’m dyeing wool roving for an upcoming wet felting project. The steps to kettle dye yarn are exactly the same as for wool so feel free to substitute.

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For this particular roving, I used Jacquard Acid Dyes, but feel free to experiment with Rit Dye or food colors such as Wilton, especially if you are a beginner.

FYI, this is my favorite source for Dyeable Yarn

If you’re new to wool dyeing, you may be interested in Beginner’s Guide to Dyeing Yarn and How to Set Yarn Dye with Heat

What is Kettle Dyeing?

When you Kettle Dye wool, you dye and heat set the yarn or roving in one container. It’s a much quicker process than hand painting yarn where you paint the dye onto the yarn and then heat set it.

The downside to kettle dyeing is that you have less control over where the dyes end up. They tend to run together and blend more than with hand painting, which I actually like.

Safety Note:

NEVER use pots, pans, measuring cups etc. that are used for food prep.

ALWAYS wear a face mask when handling dry dye powder.

Helpful Tip from Gail Callahan Hand Dyeing Yarn and Fleece: Cover your work surface with newspaper and spritz them with water. This will attract dry dye particles that may escape.

Step by step instructions

Prepare the Wool Dye

To begin, you will mix your dye powders, one per mason jar, according to the manufacturer’s directions on the container. It can be a little confusing when you need to mix a smaller amount. As a general rule of thumb, I use 1 teaspoon of dye powder per pint of water.

Safety Note: Always wear your dust mask when handling dye powder!

Prepare the Yarn or Roving

In order for the wool to thoroughly absorb the dyes, it has to be presoaked in water. To do this, put about one inch of warm water into the roasting pan and then add approximately 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Next, lay the mesh fabric inside the roasting pan.

Now, carefully place the yarn or roving in the pan and push it down repeatedly into the water. Then just let the fiber soak for about 30 minutes or longer to ensure that it is completely wet.

Apply the Dye to the Yarn

Now comes the fun part! Pick your first color and then slowly and carefully pour some dye onto one section of the yarn/roving. Add small amounts of dye … you only want as much as the fiber can absorb and no more.

It’s a little tricky to know how much is enough but keep in mind, you can always add more.

Using a spoon or chop stick, gently move the fiber so that the dye can penetrate the part you wish to dye that color. Be careful not to move your fiber too much, which can cause felting.

Once you are happy with the first color, apply the second color near the first but not touching. The dyes will migrate and blend on their own. See the green?

Now you will repeat the above steps with the remaining colors. You can add as many colors as you want, just remember to add them slowly.

Heat Set the Wool Dyes

To fix the colors to the wool, place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Gently simmer the fiber for about 40 minutes. Note: You don’t want big, rapid bubbles which can cause felting, just an easy simmer. Turn off the heat and let the wool cool.

At this point, the water should be mostly clear. Very carefully, rinse your yarn/roving with room temperature water until it runs completely clear.

Note: Don’t handle your fiber too much or it may felt. Finally, simply hang it up to dry. Now, your beautiful dyed yarn is ready to use.

I hope this tutorial has been helpful. Have you tried kettle dyeing? How did it turn out?
Enjoy! Annette

How to Kettle Dye Yarn and Wool