How to dye fiber using kool-aid

I want to thank Dawn Dolpp of Mada Vemi Alpaca Farm for introducing me to Kool-Aid dyeing. My first attempt at felting with Kool-Aid dyed fiber made a gorgeous pillow front for my daughter.

I have tried Kool-aid dyeing as well as used acid dyes. I have found them both to be useful. The koolaid version is a very inexpensive route to go, since one pack of Kool-Aid is only 20 to 25 cents (you will need approximately 5 packets).

I will tell you, I do not reccomend using Kool-Aid dyed fiber on your felted soap. The color tends to run when used in such a wet situation.

There are several methods to dye, this is just the way I do it.

Remember to be creative with your colors. You can mix different varieties of Kool-Aid to make different colors.

Directions for Kool-Aid dyeing alpaca fiber

1. Gather your supplies. You will need a rubbermaid tub, mason jars, canning tongs, a large pot, vinegar, unsweetened Kool-Aid or Flavor-Aid packets, plastic gloves, cookie cooling racks, skewers, fiber (light colored), and water.

2. Soak the fiber in a mixture of water and vinegar. Just as when you dye Easter eggs, the vinegar helps the fiber hold the dye. I usually put about 3 or 4 inches of room temperature water (remember warm water will encourage felting) in my rubbermaid tub (enough to cover the fiber). I use about a 1 cup of vinegar in my rubbermaid tub. Soak the fiber for at least 1/2 hour and make sure that all the fiber is wet. However, you do not want to agitate the fiber too much since this will cause premature felting. The fiber tends to float, but Dawn Dolpp advised us to place a plate on the fiber to hold it down.

3. Gently press the fiber against the edge of the tub to get out excess water.

4. Boil some water in a seperate pot. Place boiling water in a quart mason jar (that has been pre-warmed to prevent breakage). Often I will warm my jar in the same water I will be using to fill it. This method requires a larger pot, but ensures that I will not break a jar. Use canning tongs to get the jar out of the boiling water to prevent serious burns.

5. I fill the jar about 2/3 the way full of hot water. I usually add around 5 packets of Koolaid per mason jar (the amount you use will affect the brightness of the color). Stir the hot water and koolaid.

6. Gently place the fiber in the jar. Remember not to agitate the fiber too much or it will begin felting. You can use a spoon or stick to press the fiber down.

7. Allow the fiber to sit in the jar until the koolaid has been absorbed by the fiber and the water no longer has color and/or the water is cooled.

8.Gently drain the jars. Then rinse the fiber in cold water. Remember not to rub or agitate th fiber as it will begin to felt.

9. Allow the fiber to dry on cookie cooling racks. The color below is a result of 5 orange flavored Kool-Aid Packets. Remember that the amount you use affects the brightness. Therefore, if you wanted a pastel color use fewer packets.

10. Card you fiber and you are ready to felt some colorful creations.

If you want to learn more about Fiber arts, I would highly recommend Dawn's class. Visit her site for more details (www.madavemialpacas.com).