How to dye groovy tye dyed top

I dyed my wool top with this really cool technique that I would love to share with you. I used wool top superwash, just because I had to "man handle" the fiber a bit with this technique.  Here is how it will look when it's done.

The first thing you will do is weigh out 4 to 5 ounces of top superwash. 

Next, make it into a tight chain.  Here is a video that shows you how to do that.

Next, pre wet the chain in luke warm water with a splash of vinegar.    Soak for about 30 minutes.

Prepare a dye pot with orange dye.

When the fiber is pre soaked, put the chain in the dye pot.  Turn the heat to just about boiling then turn the heat to simmer for about 30 minutes or till all the dye is exhausted and the water is clear.

Take out the chain and put it in the sink to cool a bit.  You could even run cold water over it because it's superwash!  It's won't felt!  When it's cool enough to handle, take apart the chain.

Now here comes the trick.  Re chain, yes I said re chain, the fiber. 

Make a new dye pot with yellow this time.

Put it in the pot and simmer for 30 minutes till all the fiber is exhausted and the water is clear.

You can unchain and chain again and use a third color if you want.  It will look like this if you use a few colors.



Take apart the chain and hang the fiber out to dry.

And here's how it looks spun up into a beautiful thick and thin yarn.