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If you've ever made curry, you'll know that one teaspoon of turmeric will turn your entire pot of food into a vibrant, sunflowery yellow. Not only is the spice a staple in Indian and Asian cuisine, it is also a powerful anti-inflammatory food.
Turmeric is also what gives mustard its beautiful color, and it makes an excellent natural dye, so if you're a crafty knitter looking for unique yarn, why not try dyeing your own? There are a number of natural materials out there that do a fine job. To try this DIY project, all you need are a few hours to spare, a spacious pot, a stove, and your spice rack.
Keep in mind that when you use natural ingredients, the results might vary depending on the kind of yarn you use, how long you let the yarn sit in the dye bath, and the amount of ingredients you use. But don't be afraid to experiment -- that's the beauty of handmade. Sometimes you never know what shade you will get or how deep the color will be. If you want, keep a book with some notes, recording your recipes and samples to ensure consistency. Make sure to use wool instead of a synthetic because the dye will adhere better to wool.
Also note that turmeric is not light-fast, meaning that the color will fade in the sun, so either keep the yarn out of bright sunlight or re-dye the yarn every so often. One advantage of turmeric is that the color absorbs easily and directly, so there is little guess work on what shade it will turn out.
Prepare Your Wool
These instructions from Lion Brand Yarn will dye two skeins of yarn. Bundle your yarn together in three spots. This will ensure that it will not get tangled in the dye bath. Dip the yarn in water to dampen it and wring out any excess.
Prepare the Dye Bath
Add 3 quarts of water to 1 oz. of turmeric in a large stainless steel pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes. Place the damp yarn into the dye bath and bring to a boil. Let the yarn simmer for 30 minutes, then test the color. Rinse the yarn with mild soap and cold water. If you are not happy with the color, return yarn to the dye bath and simmer some more.
Rinse the Yarn
Once you are happy with the color, rinse the yarn with water and soap until the water runs clear. Do not throw out the dye bath until you are sure you are happy with the shade. Wring out the yarn and unwind it to unfelt any wool that might have felted during the heating process. Rewind the yarn loosely and hang to dry.
That's it! Enjoy your sunny yarn and knit something fantastic out of it. Turmeric is just one of many edible ingredients you can use to dye yarn and fabric. With so many vibrant colors found in nature, you don't have to look beyond your garden for inspiration!
