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    Locks of Many Colors! How to Kettle Dye Wool and Fiber

    Updated: Dec 26, 2019 by Annette Browning

    Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may receive a commission.
    See Disclosure for details.

    Have you always wanted to dye your wool or alpaca fiber in a rainbow of colors?

    It’s so frustrating when you have a project in mind and can’t find the right colored wool. Now you can just dye your own!

    FYI…These directions also work for roving or yarn as long as it’s protein fiber.

    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com

    Dyeing wool is so much fun and much easier than you think. All you need is some basic know how and you will be able to create just about any combination of fabulous colors you want. I, personally love the combination of anything turquoise, blue and purple and violet. Fortunately, all of those colors go very well together!

    (This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, Fiberartsy may receive a small commission)

    Supplies Needed:

    For this project, you will need Jacquard Acid Dyes which are specifically formulated for protein or animal fiber. Follow the package directions for mixing your dyes. (Always use a dust mask when handling dye powder!)

    -Washed Fiber Locks s.a. Sheep, Alpaca or Mohair
    -Pre-dissolved Jacquard Acid Dyes
    -Vinegar
    -Synthetic Mesh Fabric
    -Old Roasting Pan (cannot be used for food after dyeing)
    -Chopsticks
    -Stove

    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com

    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com

    Soaking the Fiber:

    Fill the roasting pan about half way with warm tap water and add about 1 cup of vinegar per 8 ounces of fiber. This is not an exact formula. You can’t really go wrong with too much vinegar. Not enough vinegar, however, can result in the dye not being completely taken up by the fiber.

    Place the fiber in the mesh fabric and put it in the roasting pan. Gently push the fiber down to saturate. Let this soak for about 45 minutes to an hour.

    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com

    Adding the Dye:

    For these locks, I chose Sapphire Blue, Purple, Pink, Lilac, Turquoise and Teal because blues are my favorites 🙂

    Carefully, pour small amounts of the liquid dye on your fiber, varying the colors. Use the chopsticks to gently separate the fiber so the dye can penetrate to the bottom. Continue adding dye until all the fiber has color. The hard part is only using just enough dye liquid to get the job done so add color in small amounts.

    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com

    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com

    Setting the Dye:

    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com

    Once the fiber is completely covered with color, turn the stove burner on low for about 15 minutes then turn it to medium. When the water begins to simmer, cover the pot and turn the heat back to medium-low. You want the fiber to stay hot but you don’t want the water to boil which will cause felting. Check the pot every so often to make sure the water is not boiling. Adjust your heat as needed. After about 45 minutes, turn off the heat and let the fiber sit overnight.At this point, the dye water should be clear as the color has been exhausted.

    Carefully, remove the fiber in its mesh fabric and rinse in luke warm water. Try not to move the actual fiber too much as again, this can cause felting. Once the water runs clear, squeeze out the excess and lay your fiber out to dry.

    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com
    How to Dye Wool Locks and Fiber, Fiberartsy.com
    That’s all there’s to it! These beautiful dyed lamb locks can be used for spinning, felting, needle felting ….even doll hair!
    Hope you enjoy it!
    Annette

    P.S. If you don’t feel like dyeing your own locks, I have lots available in my Etsy Store :))

    dyed locks4 dyed locks3 dyed locks2 Dyed Wool Locks, FiberArtsy.com

    See My Other Dyeing Tutorials:
    How to Hand Paint Yarn
    Snow Dyeing
    Natural Dyeing with Black Walnuts

    You might also like these books on Dyeing Wool and Fiber




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    About Annette Browning

    Annette is a long time fiber artist and former alpaca farm owner. She shares her love of dyeing, felting, crochet and knitting as well as other craft projects.

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