Dyeing to Show You...

Yes, I'm knitting. In fact I'm knitting a lot. I took the second skein of Artyarns Merino that was going to be the second Summer of Socks sock and finally untangled it. It's not becoming an SoS sock though. Even after I ripped back and re-knit the ribbing for the SoS sock it is still too big. I'd have to go back to the heel to make the correction for the right size. I'm thinking it may hit the frog pond. Before I can bring myself to do that though I wanted to try and knit up the tangled skein into a Jaywalker. It's trucking along at the moment. I'm doing the gusset decreases after the heel. And it's looking a bit better than it's not-even-close-to-twin sock. But really I've been preoccupied with something else. Remember how I mentioned I wanted to learn to dye. And then I got a book. Well, I read the book. And I just got more antsy to start dyeing. So, on Friday I went to Joann's and got yarn. And then I went to Wal-Mart (shudder) and got some Kool-Aid. Saturday I got down to business.
Setting up the materials.
Lots of Kool-Aid.
The canvas. I decided (maybe a little naively) to dye up 8 oz. of yarn. That's a lot. And I didn't double the amount of dye. Which I should have. Because the dye turned out really light on all that yarn and there wasn't enough coverage for my liking. Still. I jumped in with both feet.
Yum! Cooking wool and vinegar.
And the final product. I'm pleased. Not pleased as punch but pleased. And proud. I set out to do something and I did it. All on my own too (just how I like to do it).
And despite my fears the water ran clear. No bleed at all.

A close up. I used purples, pinks, and reds. Obviously the red came through the most. I like how the purple bled out a little and formed streaks of blue. I wish it was more purple/blue though. More red than I would have liked. And more white blotches than I would have liked. Still, I did it. And I will use it. Not a totally failure by any means.

I'm not sure what to call it though. I'm thinking: 1st Attempt, There's a First Time for Everything, or Cotton Candy. The first 2 sound mildly suggestive so I'm trying to think of something else to name this color but I can't decide. Suggestions are much appreciated.

Then today there was attempt number 2. This time with improved documentation skills.
Yarn being wound into a hank (note to self, invest in swift).
Color set up. These colors look gorgeous in the bottle. I used a combination of Kool-Aid and food coloring gels for this set. Branching out a little.
On the canvas.
And drying. Now this, I love. Love, love, love. Pleased as punch and pie. I'm calling this First Autumn Leaves. It's a smaller skein (100 grams) and the dye is much more brilliant. I like bright, vivid colors and I got them this time. Especially the green. Gorgeous. And the oranges and the yellow just go so well. And there is a little bit of brown in there too. So, so nice. Don't know what I'll make from it but the recipe is down and locked in the vault for future use. The only problem? I'm seriously addicted. I want a full set of acid dyes. I want a dye studio. I want to buy yarn in bulk. Must sit down, head reeling from the possibilities...