Color Me Happy Gradient Sock Dyeing Class (July 19, 2025; 1-3 PM)

Hand painting mini skeins with natural dyes

This is a two-hour workshop geared for knitters and crocheters who want to learn a little about natural dyes and have a fun experience creating their hand-painted yarn. We will be dyeing a set of mini skeins, focusing on creating coordinating colors to make a shawlette, such as the free pattern, It’s a Spring Fling by Darn Knit Anyway.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/its-a-spring-fling

We will also bring full skeins and other mini skeins we have naturally dyed for purchase if you want to make a full shawl (or other project that takes more than 400 yards of fingering weight yarn). Of course, you can use your yarn however you want! 

No prior dyeing experience required.

 What to expect

Our time together will focus on the joy of creating a special set of mini skeins of yarn with natural dyes. We will provide a brief orientation to natural dyeing, color choices, and application tips, and most of the session will be spent painting your own skein. We will send you instructions on how to steam at home. 

Dyeing is messy, especially when using the hand painting technique. We recommend wearing clothes and shoes that can withstand the risk of staining. While the materials we use will not dye your clothes, they can make stains (and we will discuss why there’s a difference). 

The cost of the class includes a set of mini skeins of Color Me Happy Fiber Arts yarn (a set of five, 20g skeins of fingering weight merino/cashmere/nylon blend; totaling 400 yards), natural dye materials, instruction, and a handout with resources. We will help you create a coordinated set (e.g., a fade or complementary color blocks).

If you want to make an entire shawl (or other project that requires more than 400 yards of fingering-weight yarn), of course, you can use your yarn however you want!

No prior dyeing experience required.