Hand Painting Cotton Yarns

For those of you who are familiar with Thank Ewe Hand Dyed Yarns, you know that we have been creating and selling wool and wool blend yarns for over a year now. Our experience has taught many things and has allowed us to become very adept with dyeing wool.

In the last few weeks, I have been learning about the process for dyeing cellulose-based fibers, primarily cotton. It's a very different process. Wool is a protein fiber and cotton is a cellulose fiber. Dyeing cotton is much more like working in a chemistry lab, protective gear is worn, make a solution of this and add so much of that, mix in the dye, paint the yarn and wrap in plastic. Wait for the chemical reaction to do its work. Time consuming, compared to dyeing wool, which immediately sucks up the acid dye like a thirsty sponge.

Well, all of our efforts are paying off and we will soon have some finished hand painted cotton yarns - worsted weight.

Cotton yarn is versatile. For Warmer seasons, it's a wonderful yarn for sweaters, children's hats and sweaters, and has utilitarian uses in the kitchen and bath in dishclothes and washclothes. I knit up a dozen or so cotton washcloths for my family a while back. They are luxurious. For all those who are allergic to wool, you may have an interest in these yarns as well.