PLEASE UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARKS!!
This awesome blog post can now be found at the HodgePodge Crochet website!! http://hodgepodgecrochet.net/
How to ‘DYE’ Acrylic Yarn: http://hodgepodgecrochet.net/2015/07/how-to-dye-acrylic-yarn/
Tagged: acrylic yarn, Crochet, Dye Yarn, feature, Frugal Crafter, HodgePodge Crochet, how to, Yarn and Hooks
HodgePodge Crochet 
I bought a white crocheted afghan but would like it to be cranberry, how can I achieve that? It’s made of acrylic
LikeLike
You can ‘dye’ a finished piece the same way but it would take a larger space and more paint. I would also highly recommend adding a medium to the paint to keep the crunch to a minimum.
LikeLike
To get rid of the “crunchy” quality of the acrylic paint and not have to worry about that if you want a deeper color by using more paint than water, try adding Golden Acrylic Paints GAC 900 fabric medium. It is specifically designed to mix with acrylic paints and keep them soft after drying, for painting on fabrics. Once your whole yarn is dry, put it in one of those mesh laundry bags designed for delicate clothes. Make sure it is tied up in such a way as to not tangle into a big mess in the bag while in the dryer. Then heat set for a few minutes in the dryer.
LikeLike
[…] now, so I’ll keep it as a “wasn’t burned” accomplishment) I revisited Hodge Podge Crochet’s process to dye acrylic yarn But I wanted to try something different. You see, I love varigated yarns. I just think that they […]
LikeLike
I am going to have to try this. I have dyed plant fiber fabric and have some cotton fiber to try. But this expands the possibility of dying other yarns. I am thinking if you do the ombre effect you could dry it flat, I just might have to experiment. So with the acrylic dying process, have you tried ‘dying’ a colored acrylic yarn? If I have a bunch of pale blue and try using pink paint will I end up with purple?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have tried to “dye” colored yarns with mixed results. Sometimes it is a huge success and sometimes it’s just a big mess. I suggest working up some different color pairings to see what works for you and the shades of yarn/colors of paint you have! Basic color mixing does apply here so if you blend a red with a blue you should see shades of purple. A general rule of thumb is that the lighter the yarn the better the result. 🙂
LikeLike
I tried this today with a ball that was destined for the unusable pile due to some really bad staining…. I actually dyed it with 2 colors and it’s come out amazing!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I ADORE the frugal crafter shwee is the coolest and beautiful! Like a fairy! 8) thanks everyone!
LikeLike
Can this method be used to stripe different colors or is it to color the entire piece the same color? Can only acrylic yarn be used with this? I am so glad I stumbled onto this info! I was getting ready to try dyes and baking and….whew!
LikeLike
You can stripe colors for an ombré effect! Keep in mind that if you work colors while wet and then hang to dry, the paint will travel down and you may get muddied results. Instead, try striping the yarn by dipping into the desired colors and then lie flat (on top of several layers of paper towel) to dry instead of hanging. Be sure to turn the yarn so that the bottom doesn’t get crunchy and you should end up with fabulous results!
You can also use this method on any yarn fiber but I recommend permanent dyes for any yarn that can handle them (like cotton or other natural fibers) as this technique is more of a fun way to get a unique color using acrylic yarn that typically is dye-resistant.
LikeLike
Can you use this method to “dye” finished products?
LikeLike
You can but finished crochet tends to make the paint stick in the knots, creating a stiffer texture when dry–which is GREAT for things like snowflakes!!–so make sure to keep that in mind when “dying” finished items!
LikeLike
OMG thank you for this!!! I have some acrylic yarn from an old project that was taken apart, it was white once upon a time and though I’ve washed it more than once it refuses to go back to white. I’m going to try dying it, and I have tons of acrylic paint I was wondering what I could do with so YAY!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] those that missed the process on how to dye acrylic yarn, make sure you check out my ‘How to ‘DYE’ Acrylic Yarn’ blog post before going any further to find out how to make your […]
LikeLike
[…] mini works of art. For even more fun, I recommend dying your acrylic yarn following my tutorial here before making one! (See the example below which was done with dyed acrylic […]
LikeLike
[…] Hodge Podge Crochet teaches us how to “dye” acrylic yarn. […]
LikeLike
[…] acid dye in commercial quantities to be viable, and to hold the color the way it does. However, HodgePodge Crochet mentions the use of acrylic colors. Seemed interesting and do-able. So the moment I was alone at […]
LikeLike
I am definitely trying this! Thank you so much for posting this!
LikeLike
[…] war ganz begeistert von der Aussicht, mein Acrylgarn selbst zu färben und habe es gleich an einem fertig gestrickten Sommertop ausprobiert. Leider hatte ich wohl die […]
LikeLike
[…] been excited thinking of dying my acrylic yarn and tried it immediately on a finished knitted summer top. Unfortunately I must have had the wrong […]
LikeLike
Reblogged this on SilasRaeCrochet and commented:
I absolutely have to try this! Beats paying outrageous prices for hand dyed yarn!
LikeLike
You are unbelievable. This is just fantastic. Saw you on Moogly and I’m so glad I did. I am definitely going to get a bunch of white yarn and dye to my hearts content. Thank you so much.
LikeLike
Thanks so much! I hope you swing by my facebook page to share!! ❤
LikeLike
I have given this a go and left you some pics on Facebook of how my freshly dyed yarn is looking. Will definitely be blogging about this myself. Might even make some more and have a bit of a giveaway!! 🙂
LikeLike
Can projects made with the dyed yarn be washed over and over again with minimal fading?
LikeLike
Paint is pretty durable! 🙂
LikeLike
Since the “dye” is very watery, I can totally see making a reversible item-white or light on one side, another color on the other…wet and blot the finished item, then use a spray bottle to mist the color on…hang to dry then launder as described…hmmm…I’m thinking with the item wet first there would be minimal bleed-through to the other side.
LikeLike
I love the creative thinking!!
LikeLike
Oh thank you sooooooooo much for posting this! Awesome possum! Can’t wait to try this. I was going to have to wait until I could afford natural fibres before I could try my hand at dying yarn! But now I get to try it asap! I have oodles of white yarn in my stash and I don’t like white so much!
LikeLike
I am so VERY happy that you shared this! I have old paint that I just might try this with…also have lots of yarn that could use a color lift too! Here’s a question/thought…Could you dye a project AFTER it has been made? Will the process work the same? Thanks 🙂
LikeLike
I hope you’ll come back to share with us all!! I’d love to know myself!!
LikeLike
I wonder if doing this process several times would work to get a more darker or even changing colors would damage the yarn? Thank you! This is a must try!
LikeLike
Thank you, this is amazing. I’ve mentioned your video on Knitting paradise forum and the response has been amazing. Can’t wait to try this
LikeLike
[…] This yarn is really painted, not dyed, but it’s still a good way to upcycle plain white or light-colored yarn into something a little fancier. […]
LikeLike
Reblogged this on From Home Crochet and commented:
My fabulous friend Tanya from HodgePodge Crochet has shared a secret she learned from another fabulous lady! Check it out!!!
LikeLike
Awesome, I’m so glad you liked it!
LikeLike
❤ Yeah, I’m a whole lot star-struck 😉 Lots of love, Lindsay!! And many many thanks for the HUGE inspiration!!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Clovers 4 Ewe and commented:
Didn’t even know it was possible. I may have to try this some time with all the paints I have left and the old yarn I picked up at discount, it could be worth it. 🙂 Thanks for the share HP.
LikeLike
Thanks for this! I can now experiment dyeing on acrylic yarn first, before natural fibers, etc.
LikeLike