I've dyed wool yarn with koolaid before, but now I don't have a microwave. Has anyone tried steaming it or leaving it in the sun or something?

there are websites that talk about using koolaid and your stove - I don't have my links here today, but if no one else can get to it I'll def. post the website tomorrow!

How do you do it WITH a microwave?

the microwave is just to heat the stuff up, which speeds up the dyeing process. if you're dyeing the wool all one colour, you can put it in a pot with koolaid and water, and just heat it on the stove. if you're going for a mottled look, steaming it might work, but I've never tried it.

the koolaid will dye the wool even without heat - it just takes longer. so you could wet your yarn, put on the dye, and just let it sit for a day or so, before rinsing.

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dyeing with koolaid in the microwave:

I like doing multi-colour yarn, so I wet the yarn (dunk it in a pail of water - make sure it's wet through), put it into a microwavable dish (I use a glass pie plate), and pour on the different colours of koolaid. (my koolaid solution is made by mixing the power with just enough liquid so that it disolves). microwave on high for 2 minutes. wait until it cools down, and rinse under warm water until the water coming out is clear. lay the yarn out on towels to dry. voila - wonderful multi-colour yarn.

I just cook mine on the stove. two packets of koolaid in 1/2 gallon of water, 1/3 cup vinegar and two tablespoons of salt. Heat to just below boiling, keep at high simmer and dye the wool for about 20 minutes (or less if it looks like it's getting too dark). Rinse in cool water.

BTW, keep the dye mix on the stove just in case you think you rinsed too soon and the yarn could be darker.

-Hilda

here's the glitter topic about dying:>http://209.10.98.89/mwforum/topic_show.pl?id=869

and this page is terrific! color charts and everything:
>http://www.thepiper.com/fiberart/koolaid/

OK - I'm a freak, but I need to know.
Does the Kool-Aid make the yarn smell like the corresponding flavor?
That would be rad!

um, yeah, it makes it smell. (I'm not sure how much you can distinguish between the flavors, but it definately ends up with a koolaid smell.) If you wash it enough the smell goes away, eventually.