How to Use a Sharpie Marker to Dye Yarn {Lion Brand Yarn project}

by This is Carrie on June 11, 2013

During my trip to NYC and the Lion Brand Yarn Studio last fall, I learned how to dye yarn (and my fingers) with Sharpie markers. It’s such a fun an easy way to enter the wide world of yarn dyeing and a perfect summer project.

Supplies: Yarn blank (purchase here or knit yourself–mine was machine knitted with Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool), Sharpie markers, spray bottle, table protection.

Steps:

1. Color onto the blank using colored sharpie markers. I decided to do a variegated stripe.

2. Spray with water or with Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (%91) so that the ink starts to bleed.

3. Using an iron on maximum setting, heat set each section for 3-4 minutes.

4. Unravel the blank and wrap into a ball

5. Make a project! (I haven’t quite gotten to this step yet.

Thanks to the girls at Lion Brand Yarn for teaching me a fun, new technique!

{ 4 comments }

cleo butters June 12, 2013 at 11:39 am: thank you so much a very good idea
Midge June 12, 2013 at 11:49 am: Wow, I was about to get rid of my machine knitter. I do not want it. I think this could be a good way to utilize it. Thanks
Anni June 12, 2013 at 10:03 pm: This is really cool. Will the colors bleed on other things once you have finished project?
Sylvia July 19, 2013 at 5:59 am: This looks like fun to try. I will start with a large swatch and see how it goes. Then I can test for bleeding when it is finished. I doubt it will bleed as it is heated to set the colours but better safe than sorry.