06 January 2008

Kool Aid Dyes

No, I didn't kill off the Kool-Aid character, even if he is an annoying pest. They said jolly, fun-loving beverage provider (1), I say slightly psychopathic mascot with ice cubes for brains. If he's so great, why'd he have to change his name from "Pitcher Man"? Was it some FBI protective custody thing? Did all that citric acid do someone in? Or just contribute to the slightly sour expression of elementary teachers everywhere?

I like dyeing yarn with Kool-Aid, it's fairly quick and easy, and everything smells good in the end. I do it in the microwave, what could be simpler? I dyed small batches with straight color the first time, then it was anything goes. Yes, I do follow directions on things, particularly recipes at least the first time. After that, everything is open to tinkering. Which explains some of my spectacular sourdough bread failures the past few weeks. You can only push the envelope so far, before it all turns to brick bread.

For once in my life I appreciated taking color theory in college art classes. It allowed me to start with this:
and eventually end up with these:

Summer Waters


Big Horn Meadow


Berry Picking

Wyoming Summer


Wyoming Fourth


Wyoming Autumn


Byzantine Necklace


Wyoming Spring


I found a neat FAQ that lists all kinds of things you can add Kool-Aid to or make with it. (Besides a tongue staining beverage). The only frustrating thing about dyeing with Kool-Aid is that many times the more interesting flavors - in terms of color- are discontinued. So if you see someone in the grocery buying 50 packets of Kool-Aid at a time, they may not be running a daycare, but rather hording against a discontinued item that leaves them without an easy way to obtain the perfect green of a spring morning. Cake decorating gels, Easter egg dyes, they're all fair game for experimentation. "Just buy Jacquard acid dyes from any respectable fiber arts company" you say? "They come in every color, and even have directions."

Well, what's the fun in that??




27 comments:

David Anthony Durham said...

Cool! Or is that "Kool"?...

Constance Brewer said...

Gabriele, even my occasional dyeing disaster tends to have some redeeming qualities. Like the ability to be overdyed. :) Nothing like hiding your mistakes in plain sight.

Constance Brewer said...

LOL David

Qwool?

Anonymous said...

I think you would have fit right in the "hippie" era,but alas,you were born a little too late.

Constance Brewer said...

Yeah, Anon, all I can do is look at pictures of you with your bell bottoms and giggle...

I still have some tye-dye left, want me to make you a t-shirt? For old times sake? *g*

Anonymous said...

Nah......go ahead and drink it!

Anonymous said...

And by the way.......bell bottoms were IN when I wore them......

Constance Brewer said...

You think I'd actually drink this stuff? After seeing what it does to yarn? Ewww. No way.

And Anon? Would you attempt to make a fashion statement, by wearing bell-bottoms to work? I won't even call you Huggy Bear... :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful yarn! I once again am inspired - Anonymous rolls his eyes (secretly) when I start on another ADD fueled project but I may just have to cruise the drink mix aisle soon. Of course, Anonny may just think I am a Reverend Jim wanna be...

Anonymous said...

Well well well,another (third world) country heard from!
I want you all to just leave me be,so I can go to work tomorrow rested....in my straight leg Wrangler jeans.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmm, what damage can A Nonny Moose do to Anonny whilst he slumbers??? Mayhaps the politically correct straight legged Wranglers can be cloroxed into groovy bleached oblivion... will go nicely with the new tie dye shirt!

Constance Brewer said...

Nonny Moose- and someone who works two full time jobs is NOT ADD project fueled??

You know, I think tye-dyed undies would be quite lovely...

Constance Brewer said...

Nonny Moose- Or you could just pull a M*A*S*H and take his jeans in an inch every night when he sleeps.

I hear tye dye looks very slimming. *g*

Anonymous said...

He's gone off in a snit now, afraid that we are going to "gang up" on him... Hasn't that already happened? Karma... he can read up on it while snipping the tucks out of his jeans! (Now I will pay for this, however briefly...)

Constance Brewer said...

Boy, he sure has a lot to learn about women. We would never talk publicly about our intended hijinks. :)

If I really wanted to gang up on him, I'd send you a Corgi...

Gabriele Campbell said...

Wuff to that. :)

Constance Brewer said...

Gabriele, maybe Anonymous needs to borrow some of your armor!

Tracy said...

First of all, the yarn is beautiful and I admire your creativity.

Second, poor anon, another abused male in the world. :)

Third, hubby used blue one time to color his dog. (no longer buys kool-aid lmao)

Constance Brewer said...

Tracy, Anon gets nothing he doesn't deserve. :) Besides, he's my brother. It's in the contract. He just forgot to read the fine print, Section 3, subsection 4b, harassment by little sister clause...

WHY would your husband color the dog?? Just wondering??

Anonymous said...

Please, do send a corgi, maybe two! I keep telling him they are the Queen's dog, he doesn't seem to see the connection however.

Constance Brewer said...

Beware of UPS deliveries that bark!

Carla said...

Lovely colours on the yarns.

What exactly is Kool-Aid? I'm not sure if we have it on this side of the Pond.

Tracy said...

Connie, I asked hubby why he dyed his little dog and he said, he thought she would look good blue. This was years ago and he as now moved on to more regular hobbies. :)

Constance Brewer said...

Carla - Kool-Aid is a powdered non-carbonated soft drink mix that comes in a little packet. You mix it with water and sugar to make about 2 liters of the stuff. The powder in the packets is very acidy - and color prone. Get it wet and on your hands, and it stains them for days. Kinda scary to think we actually drink the stuff...

Constance Brewer said...

Tracy, dog dyeing is so very... '80's. I'm happy he's grown up. *g*

Anonymous said...

Green Corgis for St. Patrick's day!

Constance Brewer said...

Be careful what you wish for, Anon!