Tuesday
Feb172009
The Great Yarnsperiment
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 3:30AM
This is more of a demonstration than an experiment. But yarnsperiment is such a nifty made up word, I have no choice. It begs to be used.
What I shall be yarnsperimenting, dear friends, is how different yarns accept dye. I shall endeavor to show you what I see every day: how certain yarns produce very bright colors, and other yield more muted results. I shall also attempt to explain why this is so. This will help you to be an informed consumer. And because it's fun to conduct yarnsperiments.
Here is how it will work: I will take small samples from several different undyed yarns and line them all up. Then, I will take a picture. Next, I will mix up some dye. An easily visible color like ivory. Or maybe bright pink. Which do you think would be better? (Editor's note: The Yarnista was just kidding about the ivory. Ivory is not a bright color.)
I shall then apply this single batch of dye to all of the skeins simultaneously. And then I will take another picture. Then, I will heat the yarn. Because I need to. Then, I will line up the yarns again. Finally, I will take another picture.
I will put all the pictures up here for you to see with my illuminating commentary. And then we can discuss.
Sound good? Is there anything in particular you'd like to know before I begin the yarnsperiment? I need adequate time to plan.
What I shall be yarnsperimenting, dear friends, is how different yarns accept dye. I shall endeavor to show you what I see every day: how certain yarns produce very bright colors, and other yield more muted results. I shall also attempt to explain why this is so. This will help you to be an informed consumer. And because it's fun to conduct yarnsperiments.
Here is how it will work: I will take small samples from several different undyed yarns and line them all up. Then, I will take a picture. Next, I will mix up some dye. An easily visible color like ivory. Or maybe bright pink. Which do you think would be better? (Editor's note: The Yarnista was just kidding about the ivory. Ivory is not a bright color.)
I shall then apply this single batch of dye to all of the skeins simultaneously. And then I will take another picture. Then, I will heat the yarn. Because I need to. Then, I will line up the yarns again. Finally, I will take another picture.
I will put all the pictures up here for you to see with my illuminating commentary. And then we can discuss.
Sound good? Is there anything in particular you'd like to know before I begin the yarnsperiment? I need adequate time to plan.
Reader Comments (11)
Oooo, that sounds exciting. I've often wondered what all the different colors would look like on the various yarn bases and would love to see more examples of how different they can be.
Since you usually photograph on a light background, a brighter color on the yarn might show off the differences in dye better than if you dyed them in ivory.
oooooo this is a GREAT idea. A lot of people don't realize how different it can all look, so this will be great!!
and when youre done, hold a drawing for the 'sperimented-upon yarns.
I agree with what Megan said; dyed a lovely bright color, this 'speriment will rock!
I think you should use turquoise, you'll enjoy your 'speriment better :)
It sounds like a great idea! It looks like you have all the bases covered(hey looky there,I made a pun ha ha) so go for it! I'll enjoy seeing the results!
I agree with Tola, you should definitely hold a drawing.
I am terribly excited for this project! I think it would be interesting in a few different colors - a really bright, vibrant one; a more muted, gentler color; and maybe one other variation too. Because, you know, you don't have enough to do already.. ;)
Oooh, goody, a yarnspiriment! Looking forward to this! And I think the drawing is a lovely idea as well....:)
That is a cool word. Now I will be making up other words similar to it for the next month. heh
I like details, lots and lots of details. Type of yarn, any treatment it's given, types of dyes used, I'm sure I'd like the dye recipe but you can skip that since it's a secret :-))
Angela's suggestion of using turquoise is a fun and funny one. heh
Mostly I'd like ya'll to have fun!