Dyeing wool with Kool-Aid is a really fun and SAFE project for kids of all ages. All you need is a few ingredients and some ‘equipment’ that can be found in your kitchen.
You will need: 1 or more skeins of undyed wool yarn or roving (nearly white or light gray is best), water, white vinegar, an enamel or stainless steel cooking pot or heat-resistant glass jar and Kool-Aid unsweetened powder drink mix. You can mix 2 or more flavors and create unique colors, or you can use just 1 flavor, like cherry powder, for a bright red color. The more Kool-Aid packets you use, the darker the final color. To begin, use 2 – 4 packets of Kool-Aid for every 2 ounces of wool yarn or roving you want to dye.
(CAUTION: Never use your cooking and eating tools when dyeing with commercial dyes.)
Directions
Before you begin, wind your yarn or roving into a coil (or hank). To keep it from tangling during the dyeing process, loosely tie the coil in 4 places with a piece of cotton string.
STOVE-Top Method:
1 Place the yarn or roving in a bowl of cold water and let it soak for 30 minutes.
2 Stir together the Kool-Aid, ½ gallon of water for each 2 ounces of wool, and the vinegar in a pot large enough to cover the wool with water. Place the pre-soaked wool in the pot.
3 Bring the mixture to a low simmer for 15 to 30 minutes, until the water is clear. Clear water means the wool has absorbed the color. Turn off the pot and let it sit until it comes to room temperature.
4 Gently rinse the wool with room-temperature water until the water stays clear. Do not agitate or you will felt the wool!
5 Hang the wool to air-dry.
SUN Method:
1 Place the yarn or roving in a bowl of cold water and let it soak for 30 minutes.
2 Stir together the Kool-Aid, ½ gallon of water for each 2 ounces of wool, and the vinegar in a glass jar large enough to cover the wool with water. Place the pre-soaked wool in the jar and screw on the lid.
3 Place the jar in a warm sunny spot and let it sit until it is clear. Clear water means the wool has absorbed the color.
4 Gently rinse the wool with room-temperature water until the water stays clear. Do not agitate or you will felt the wool!
5 Hang the wool to air-dry.
Voila! Congratulations…now you can make many different colored ‘sheep’!
