Let’s start at the beginning, and make us some semi-solid yarn.  I’m going to try to make some black yarn.  Now, when you shoot for black yarn, you usually end up with really really really really dark purple or blue, but I’m OK with that.

The process is really similar to dying yarn with Kool-Aid, with a few small differences.

When you go to make up your dye bath, fill your non-reactive pot with plenty of water and a good glug of vinegar.  I’ve probably got about a half gallon of water, and about a tablespoon of vinegar.  You don’t really have to measure.

Then, add in your food coloring.  Add as much or as little as you want.  I’m trying for a really dark color, so I probably added just under a teaspoon.  If you’re going to try to get a couple skeins of the same color, you’ll want to measure carefully.  But, I’m just making the one, so I can play loosey-goosey.

Soak your yarn in warm water.  When your dye bath is steaming and just on the verge of simmering, turn the temperature down to medium/medium-high.  Add the wet yarn all at once and give it a gentle stir with a spoon.

Let your yarn hang out in the dye bath until all the color is taken up.  I used a TON of food coloring for this yarn, so it probably took a good half hour to take up the dye.  (Also, it’s almost impossible to take a good picture of yarn in a dye bath.  This was the best one of about 15 photos.  Frustrating.)

When the water turns clear, tip the yarn into a clean colander in the sink and rinse it out thoroughly with clean, warm water.  Make sure you get all the vinegar out.

Hang your yarn up to dry!