• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • DYEING
    • Eco Printing and Eco Dyeing
    • Yarn Dyeing
    • Fabric Dyeing
    • Natural Dyeing
  • FELTING
    • What is Felting? A Beginner’s Guide
    • How to Needle Felt (for Beginners)
    • Wet Felting Tutorials
    • Needle Felting Tutorials
    • Fiber 101
  • PATTERNS
    • Pattern Roundups
    • Free Indie Crochet Patterns
    • Free Indie Knitting Patterns
  • CRAFTS
    • Home Crafts
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Gift Ideas
  • E-BOOKS

FiberArtsy.com logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • DYEING
  • FELTING
  • CRAFTS
  • PATTERNS
  • E-BOOKS
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • DYEING
    • FELTING
    • CRAFTS
    • PATTERNS
    • E-BOOKS
  • ×

    Best Yarn Dyeing Supplies, Tools and Equipment (Free Download)

    Updated: Feb 14, 2022 by Annette Browning

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

    Complete list of exactly the tools, supplies and equipment you need for dyeing yarn at home whether you just want to dye a single skein or a whole lot.

    So, you have decided to venture into the colorful world of dyeing yarn. Wonderful! Yarn dyeing is such a fun way to express your artistic side, especially when you love to knit and crochet, as well.

    Now, if you have never dyed your own yarn before, you may be wondering where to begin. Well, the first thing you need to do is gather all of your yarn dyeing supplies and that is what this entire article is all about.

    If all you wish to do is dye one or two skeins of yarn for a particular pattern, skip on down to this section.

    Yarn Dyeing Supplies, Tools and Equipment

    Find out more in our Beginner’s Guide to Dyeing Yarn and 6 Yarn Dyeing Techniques

    In this Guide:
    • What kind of yarn can you dye?
    • List of Yarn Dyeing Supplies: (My favorites)
      • Yarn
      • Dyes
      • Safety Equipment
      • Pots and Pans
      • Dye Applicators
      • Heat Setting Tools (Protein Fibers)
      • Miscellaneous Supplies
      • Printable Supply List
    • Where can I find Dyeing Supplies and Equipment?
    • What supplies do I need to dye just a few skeins of yarn?

    What kind of yarn can you dye?

    Almost any type of yarn will take color if you use the correct dye and dye setting method. I say ‘almost’ because some synthetic fibers are not so easy to dye.

    So, before I can tell you what supplies you need, you need to decide what type of yarn you wish to dye. Why? Because the kind of yarn you have will determine the type of dye you need.

    • Protein or Animal Fibers use Acid Dye (Dye is Heat Set)
    • Plant Fibers use Fiber Reactive Dye (Dye is Cold Set)
    • Synthetic Fibers use Rit DyeMore (Dye is Heat Set)

    Learn how to Dye Wool Yarns and Dyeing Cotton Yarn

    FiberArtsy Yarn and Fiber Dyeing Supplies Cheatsheet

    All yarn dyers have their own favorite supplies and tools, so use whatever you find that works best for you. This is simply a list of my preferences.

    Also, if you are just staring out, the amount of equipment you apparently need can be a bit overwhelming.

    Keep in mind that you DO NOT need to go out and spend a bunch of money on brand new pots and pans, etc. Honestly, most of my pieces have been gathered over the years from different thrift shops.

    Note: since you can buy synthetic yarn at any big box store, I am going to stick with Wool and Plant Fiber yarns for this post.


    List of Yarn Dyeing Supplies:
    (My favorites)

    Yarn

    PROTEIN YARN
    – Budget Wool: Wool of Andes
    – Better quality Wool & Blends: Bare Dyeables

    PLANT FIBER YARN
    – Budget Cotton: I like Sugar & Cream or Lion Brand
    – Better quality Cotton: Bare Cotton

    Dyes

    ACID DYES (PROTEIN)
    – Jacquard Acid Dye
    – Country Classics Wool Dye

    – Food Coloring (s.a. Cake Dyes, Kool-Aid)

    FIBER REACTIVE DYES (PLANT FIBERS)

    – Jacquard Procion MX

    Safety Equipment

    NOTE! Any tools, pots, pans, measuring cups, spoons, etc. must be used for dyeing only! They will NO LONGER BE SAFE for food preparation or consumption!! The only exception to this rule is when using food grade dyes.

    Always use a dust mask or respirator when handling dry dye powder.

    • Dust Mask
    • Respirator (for anyone who plans to do a lot of dyeing and anybody with breathing issues)
    • Rubber or Nitrile Gloves
    • Plastic table covers
    • Baking Soda (for neutralizing excess dye)

    Pots and Pans

    In general, you will want non-reactive pans made of stainless steel, glass or enamel. Aluminum can affect the final color.

    Also, if you are planning to dye larger amounts of wool and yarn, opt for pans with a larger bottom surface area so the yarn can spread out.

    Since plant fiber yarns are dyed with Cold Water Dyes, any plastic dish or even Zip bag will do. Learn how to dye cotton yarn.

    – Chafing Steam Pans
    – Glass Casserole Dishes (not for stovetop use)
    – Roasting Pans

    Dye Applicators

    Any old, recycled cup or tub can be used to pour the dye onto the fibers but if you want a little more control over where the dye goes, go for one of the following tools:

    – Squeeze Bottles
    – Sponge Brushes

    Applying fiber reactive dyes to cotton yarn

    Heat Setting Tools (Protein Fibers)

    – Stove
    – Oven
    – Microwave
    – Oven
    – Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
    – Electric Skillet
    – Chafing Dish
    – Hot Plate

    Check out our 5 Heat Setting Techniques for Dyeing Yarn

    Miscellaneous Supplies

    – Postal Scale (for dyeing yarn and dyes)
    – White Vinegar or Citric Acid
    – Measuring Cups and Spoons
    – Apron
    – Buckets (for soaking yarn)
    – Plastic Wrap
    – Synthrapol (for washing yarn)
    – Chopsticks

    Printable Supply List

    You can download and print my complete Yarn Dyeing Supply List for free. Laminate it and keep it handy for future reference!

    Where can I find Dyeing Supplies and Equipment?

    • Yarn Dyeing Suppliers
    • Restaurant Supply Store
    • Amazon
    • Big Box Stores
    • Artist Supply
    • Thrift Shops
    • Yard Sales
    • Craigslist
    • Facebook Marketplace Estate Auctions

    What supplies do I need to dye just a few skeins of yarn?

    So, you want to dye one or two skeins or hanks of yarn and don’t want to buy a whole bunch of supplies you may never use again. What can you do on a budget?

    The best and most economical way to dye some protein (wool) yarn is by using Food Coloring such as Kool Aid or Cake Dyes.

    That way, you can use your regular pots, measuring cups, etc. and you don’t have to worry about chemical contamination. Dyeing yarn with Kool Aid is super easy to do and it is safe enough to get the kids in on the action.

    If you prefer to use professional dyes such as Jacquard Acid Dyes, I would recommend you head to your local Goodwill or other thrift store and pick up a cheap roasting pan or stainless steel pot.

    Other than that, the most important thing you need is a dust mask for handling the dye powder. (The liquid dye is safe to handle but you may want to put on some gloves.)

    Recycled plastic tubs and spoons work well for mixing and pouring dyes.

    Related Yarn Dyeing Posts:

    • Best Yarn Dye Supplies & Tools
    • How to Dye Cotton Yarn
    • 6 Yarn and Wool Dyeing Techniques
    • Natural Dyeing with Dandelion Flowers
    • Dyeing Yarn with Black Beans
    • How to Dye Yarn Naturally with Black Walnuts
    • How to Dye Speckled Yarn
    • Kettle Dyeing Yarn and Wool
    • Dyeing Yarn with a Slow Cooker or Crock Pot
    • Natural Dyeing with Dandelions
    • How to Dye Semi Solid Yarn the Easy Way
    • Dyeing Self Striping Yarn without Special Tools
    Yarn Dyeing List of Supplies Equipment and Tools

    Best Yarn Dyeing Supplies, Tools and Equipment (Free Download)

    Sharing is caring!

    141 shares
    • Share

    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.

    Primary Sidebar

    WELCOME! We share tutorials for Dyeing Yarn and Fabric, Natural Dyeing, Eco Printing, Felting, Knitting and Crochet Patterns as well as Crafts.

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    stay connected

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    What’s New!

    two images of jars with dyes and dyed fabric
    image of fabric and yarn tie dyed with turmeric powder
    three jars of dye and a dyed fabric


    FELTING         DYEING         PATTERNS        CRAFTS         E-BOOKS         RESOURCES        ABOUT      DISCLOSURE      ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT        PRIVACY POLICY       


    As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.


    Affiliate Advertisements: This site participates in various Affiliate Programs. This simply means that if you click through an affiliate link and buy a product, we may get a small commission, at absolutely no extra cost to you.

    Copyright © 2022 FiberArtsy.com on the Brunch Pro Theme

    141 shares