This method is the one that gives the easiest to duplicate results. With this method you will create little rolls (snails) of yarn
and steam them on the stovetop.

Materials for any type of dye:
Sponge paint brushes
Mixing containers
Paper Towels
Plastic Wrap
Breathing Mask
Rubber gloves
One Stainless Steel pot that has a vegetable steamer insert.

Step 1: Setting up your surface for dyeing and getting your dyes ready.

First run a warm (not hot) water bath for your skeins of yarn. Add a drop or two of a mild dish soap. Place the yarn in
the bath, making sure that all of the yarn is in the water. You want the fibers to open up a little, so the bath should take
about 20 to 30 minutes. Be sure to read the directions for your dyes, as some will tell you to add the acid to the
yarn while it’s soaking. If that’s the case then you’ll want to rinse the yarn after it’s first bath, and run a second bath
with the addition of the acid. In the mean time you can set up your surface.

Cover your work surface in a layer of plastic wrap, then paper towels. This might seem wasteful, but the towels work as
a sponge for excess dye, while the plastic works as a shield for your surface. If you’re working on surface that you don’t
care about, by all means ditch the plastic wrap. You’ll still want the towels, because a slippery work surface is never
good.

At this point you’ll want to put on your gloves and your breathing mask. Make sure you have ventilation and fans
blowing the air out. Breathing in acid dye fumes is not something you want to do. Make sure you’ve read all of the
safety instructions for the dyes you’re about to work with. Remember these are chemicals.

Soak your sponge brushes in a small container of hot water; this will allow your brush to soak up more dye later. Mix
your dyes together in each container with warm water. You want to fully dilute the dye powder. If you’re using vinegar
this is the time to add it; a little splash is all you need in each dye container. Make sure you follow the directions for
your dyes.

Tear off a piece of plastic wrap that’s about 8 inches longer than your skein of yarn when it’s wet. Lay this on top of your
work surface. You need the extra inches for fold over, and securing purposes. If your counter is big enough, lay
another piece for a second skein in front of the first piece.

Step 2: Painting your yarn.

Lift the first skein out of the bath with one hand, with the other hand wring the water out of the yarn. You still want the
yarn to be damp, but not dripping.

Lay the skein onto the middle of the first piece of plastic wrap.

Wring out the sponge brushes at this point, and move them into their dye container; one per container.

Before you start painting keep in mind that this method creates little snails, so the end that you start the roll with – the
color will bleed into the following colors. If you want to keep colors a bit more separate, leave a small spot after each
color white, and add water instead of dye to those portions. That way when the previous color bleeds down it will
only bleed to that portion. Another way to keep colors separate is to make sure that there’s very little excess water,
so that the colors won’t be able to budge. Both methods work well.

Paint on the yarn, making sure to fully saturate the yarn with dye. Once the top of the yarn is painted, flip the skein
over and paint the other side.

Step 3: Setting the dye.
Now that your skein is painted up you’re going to fold up the plastic wrap.

Starting with the right side, fold the plastic wrap onto the yarn. Now fold in the top and bottom, being careful to seal
the sides together.

Move your plastic covered skein to the sink and begin to roll the yarn into a snail starting with the closed side.
Some liquid will flow out of the snail as you roll, don’t be alarmed. When the snail is rolled up you will want to
secure the end by rubbing the open end onto the rest of the roll.

Place in your pot.

Repeat this for up to 3 times, that’s usually the number of 4 ounce skeins of yarn that will fit into one pot.

When all of your skeins are in the pot, add water. You want the water level to be about an inch and a half up the
rolls. Cover with lid.

Place the pot on the burner and turn your burner onto medium-high. Set a timer for 40 minutes. You want to make
sure that all of the dye gets locked into place.

Step 4: Rinsing your beautiful yarn and hanging up to dry.

Before your timer is up; start a hot water bath in your sink with a couple of drops of mild dish soap.

When the timer is up, turn off the heat, and let the pot rest for about 10 minutes or more.

With a pair of sturdy dish washing gloves: Move the pot onto a hot plate next to your sink.

Take the lid off and one by one unwrap the snails and let the yarn slide out. Do not agitate the yarn once it is in the
water. The colors should not bleed much at this point; but if they do, it’s alright. After 10 minutes, rinse the yarn
gently with warm water, do not let the water flow directly onto the yarn. If the colors are still bleeding a bit, send the
yarn through another bath/rinse cycle.

Once your colors are staying still, wring out the yarns. Roll them in an old towel to get all of the excess water out.

Hang to dry. I use clothing hangers, and the shower rod in my bathroom. The yarn should take less than a day to
dry, unless you’ve dyed a huge amount of yarn.