Hand-dye a sock blank with synthetic dyes – Online workshop
Dye your own yarn for a matching pair of socks using a ‘blank canvas’ sock blank!
In this relaxed, online workshop, dye expert Debbie Tomkies will be showing you how to create gorgeous, unique colourways using simple techniques and safe, easy to use synthetic dyes. Dye your yarn easily at home with either our acid dye or procion dye kits and some basic equipment. Debbie will be showing you from start to finish how to prepare your dyes, handpaint your sock blank, fix and finish your dyes. We will finish with explaining how to use the blank to create two amazing, matching balls of yarn, ready to knit into a fabulous pair of hand-dyed socks! Debbie will even include a simple sock pattern so you can get started right away!
Course level:
- This event is suitable for beginners as well as those who want to brush up their skills or just enjoy an evening dyeing some fab yarn!
What you will learn:
- How to set up your space and prepare your yarn for dyeing
- The essential principles of hand dyeing – what types of dye there are, what fibres you can dye and how the dyes are used on each fibre
- How to make up your dyes, create colours from pastels to the deepest shades
- Blending your dyes to create your own colourways
- How to handpaint your sock blank
- Fixing and finishing your dyed sock blank
- Preparing your sock blank for knitting
You will need:
- We recommend either our acid dye or procion dye kits. These contain all the ingredients you’ll need as well as our accompanying full instruction booklet. To get you started, we would suggest a set of three dye colours (available in the starter kits) will give you loads of colour potential. If you have the budget, the deluxe kits offer a wider range with 12 gorgeous colours. You can also use your own dyes (please get in touch if you’re not sure whether the dyes you have will be suitable).
- You will also need a double-stranded blank canvas sock blank. You can purchase a sock blank here or you may use your own blank. Our sock blanks are knitted with two strands of 4ply (sock weight) yarn and weigh 100g in total. If you wish to make your own blank we don’t supply instructions for making them but we can advise if you’re not sure whether what you have is suitable.
- Our free downloadable guide also sets out what materials and equipment you will need. Most of the equipment is cheaply and easily obtainable from the local supermarket or DIY shop (Wilko and B&M are our favourites in the UK!) but please make sure anything you use isn’t used for food afterwards.
Get your workshop materials & goodies with a discount coupon
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Support good causes!
A proportion of our online workshop fees raise funds for local organisations like Don’t Walk Past group so we hope you’ll share on your social media and invite friends to sign up if they would like to take part.
How does the session work?
Our online sessions are flexible and you can watch from anywhere! You simply need access to a pc/mac, laptop, tablet or smartphone with a camera and audio to join. You can choose to watch the session live and dye-a-long with Debbie. Alternatively, watch live with your feet up and a cuppa and have a go later. The session will be recorded and the recording will be available for 2 months after the event for you to watch at your leisure.
About the classes
Debbie loves to teach and has been a dyer for over 30 years so you’ll be able to pick her brains for tips, tricks and hacks!
Debbie’s online sessions are fun and enjoyable. The pace is relaxed and there is time to dye along if you wish or watch and have a go later. You’ll be able to ask questions live during the session and the chat box means you can also interact live with Debbie and the other students.
About Debbie
Debbie has been a hand-dyer for over 30 years. She has worked with yarn companies, hand-dyeing yarns for commercial collections. She also ran successful yarn and fibre dye clubs for a number of years.
Debbie teaches dyeing and printing with both synthetic and natural dyes, including indigo and woad vat dyeing. She works with yarn, fabric and fibres.
Debbie is the author of 5 internationally published books, Hand-Dyed Yarn Craft Projects, Complete Knitting Skills, 250 Knitting Stitches, Knitting.Learn it.Love it and How to Knit.
When she’s not dyeing, designing, knitting or crocheting, you’ll find her in the garden, tending her dyeplants, enjoying a nice craft beer or hugging a big mug of builders’ tea. And if you’re out and about, she can often be found in the mosh pit at a gig or enjoying some folk music!
Is there anything we can help with?
If you need any information about this course, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by email or phone.
Debbie says... I love teaching workshops and courses – part of the pleasure of doing something I love for a living is in knowing that other people have shared my passion and enthusiasm, learned something new, had lots of fun and generally had a good time! Teaching is a learning process for the tutor as much as for the students so I like to keep a comments book for feedback. Here are some of my favourite excerpts…
What our students say...
“I had a wonderful time and discovered a new passion! Thank you so much for your clear and thorough instructions and for being such an inspiration. My only problem is finding the time to fit dyeing into my already busy days – but never fear, it will have to be done! Inspiring!”
“Wonderful! Thank you very much”.
“A really fun session that demystified what had seemed like a very complicated craft to me before today. Thank you!
“Fab fun. I was really curious to know how some many colours can get into a single skein – now I know (some!). I’d love to do some more! Thankyou!”.
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