How to Dye Felted Wool

Wool felting is a great way to create unique accessories, such as hats or bags. Some people choose to dye their wool before felting it, but others prefer to dye it afterwards. The most popular method is with fabric dye because the results are colorfast. If your project won't get wet, however, you can try the simpler method involving food coloring instead.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a Stove and Fabric Dye

  1. The wool needs to be damp before you dye it, otherwise it won't pick up the color. The wool doesn't need to soak for a specific amount of time, so you can prepare the water and dye in the meantime.
    • Gently squeeze the wool under the water. This ensures that it soaks up the water evenly.
    • For best results, use white felted wool. You can try off-white, ivory, or a very pale gray, but be aware that the dye won't come out exactly the way it looks on the package.
    • You can dye less than 1 pound (454 g) of wool, but you shouldn't dye more using this recipe.
  2. Set a large pot on the stove and fill it with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce it to a simmer. Depending on your stove, this will be between low and medium-low heat. [1]
    • For best results, use a stainless steel pot. Aluminum and copper pots sometimes react to fabric dyes.
    • Do not use the pot for cooking again. If you need to, buy a cheap pot at a thrift store or garage sale.
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  3. How much dye you use depends on the shade you want to get. In order to get the shade that's on the package, plan on using 1/2 bottle of liquid fabric dye or 1 packet of powdered fabric dye. Alternatively, you can use a sugar-free, powdered drink mix, such as Kool Aid.
    • You can also use less dye for a lighter shade, if you prefer.
    • Shake bottled dye first; this ensures that the dye particles dissolve properly.
    • One packet of powdered drink mix is enough to dye an 8 1 ⁄ 2 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) sheet of wool. Be aware that it may not be colorfast.
  4. Fabric dye needs extra acid in order to stick to wool, so the vinegar is a must. Once you add the vinegar, stir the dye bath with a wooden spoon. Again, make sure that you won’t use this spoon for cooking again. [2]
    • Some wool crafters recommend adding vinegar to powdered drink mix dyes. This will help the color adhere to the wool better.
  5. Again, you can only dye up to 1 pound (454 g) of wool. If you want to dye more wool, you will have to prepare another dye batch. If you try to cram too much wool into your pot, you won't get a consistent color. [3]
    • The wool will want to float to the top, so push it down with your wooden spoon.
  6. The longer you leave the wool in the dye, the deeper the color will be. After 30 minutes, it should reach the darkest color possible, which is the color on the packaging. [4]
    • If you want an even darker color, you'll have to add some black or brown dye.
    • If you want a lighter shade, pull the wool out sooner.
  7. Use your spoon or a pair of kitchen tongs to pull the wool out of the dye. Rinse the wool under clear, running water until the water turns clear--about 5 minutes. [5]
    • If you need to handle the wool with your hands, put on a pair of gloves first, or the dye will stain your hands.
  8. The best way to dry the wool is to spread it out on a dry towel, and leave it alone for 1 hour. [6] Alternatively, you can set it down on a wire cooling rack, but be aware that this may leave behind an imprint.
    • Wire cooling racks are best reserved for smaller pieces of felt. Move the felt around often as it dries, otherwise the wire grid will leave creases.
    • If the wool came out wrinkled, iron it using the cool or wool setting on your iron.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using a Pan and Food Coloring

  1. Choose a large baking pan, such as a jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet. Pour just enough water into it to cover your wool. Unlike the other method, you can reuse your pan for cooking because the food coloring is edible. [7]
    • For example, if your wool is 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) thick, make the water 1 ⁄ 8 inch (0.32 cm) deep.
    • Be aware that this method is not colorfast. The color will come out if the wool gets wet. This method is best for craft projects that won't get wet, like figurines.
  2. Your wool can be the same size as the pan or smaller. How much you end up using depends on the size of your pan. You should be able to spread the wool out in the pan without crumpling it. [8]
    • For best results, use white wool. Off-white, ivory, or pale gray may also work.
  3. You can use just 1 color, or you can use 2 colors. If you choose 2 colors, make sure that they go together. They will mix to some extent. How many drops you add is up to you, but try to coat most of the surface. [9]
    • The more dye you use, the deeper the color will be.
    • For example, blue and yellow work well together, because they make green. Purple and yellow don't work well because they make brown.
  4. How much you swirl the drops together is up to you. You can swirl the drops together completely to create a solid color, or you can swirl them together lightly to create a marbled or tie-dye effect. [10]
    • You can swirl the drops together with a spoon, a toothpick, or even your finger! If you use your finger, it might be a good idea to wear a plastic glove.
  5. Make sure that you press down firmly enough so that the water soaks through the felt. Do not move the felt around, especially if you only slightly swirled the drops together. [11]
  6. Set the felt down on a towel, then gently dab the excess water off with a clean towel. Be aware that the food coloring may stain the towels, so it's best not to use any that you care about. [12]
    • If you don't have any towels that can get stained, use paper towels instead.
    • You don't need to soak the felt for a specific period of time--as long as the felt is soaked through, you can move on to the next step.
  7. You can use a wire cooling rack, but you will need to move the felt around often, otherwise the wires will create an imprint. [13] Alternatively, you can set it down on a clean towel to dry. It will take about 1 hour for the wool to dry.
    • If the wool is wrinkled, you can iron it with the cool or wool setting on your iron.
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      Tips

      • Use a steel pot; don't use aluminum or copper. These metals sometimes react with the dyes. [14]
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      • Some dyes don't turn out vibrant enough on wool. In this case, simply dye it again, or double the amount of dye for the next batch. [15]
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      • Be gentle when squeezing the water out. If you wring it too much, you may cause the wool to felt more and shrink.
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      Things You'll Need

      Using a Stove and Fabric Dye

      • White felted wool
      • Fabric dye or powdered drink mix
      • 1 gallon (3.8 L) water
      • Stainless steel pot
      • Wooden spoon
      • White vinegar
      • Towels
      • Kitchen tongs
      • Plastic gloves (optional)

      Using a Pan and Food Coloring

      • White felted wool
      • Jelly roll pan or rimmed baking sheet
      • Water
      • Liquid food coloring
      • Plastic gloves (optional)
      • Wire cooling rack
      • Paper towels

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      References

      1. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-dye-felted-wool-12575911.html
      2. ↑ https://thetiptoefairy.com/dyeing-wool-kool-aid-rit-dye-methods/
      3. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-dye-felted-wool-12575911.html
      4. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-dye-felted-wool-12575911.html
      5. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-dye-felted-wool-12575911.html
      6. ↑ https://ourpastimes.com/how-to-dye-felted-wool-12575911.html
      7. ↑ https://weefolkart.com/cheaters-guide-dying-wool-felt/
      8. ↑ https://weefolkart.com/cheaters-guide-dying-wool-felt/
      9. ↑ https://weefolkart.com/cheaters-guide-dying-wool-felt/
      1. ↑ https://weefolkart.com/cheaters-guide-dying-wool-felt/
      2. ↑ https://weefolkart.com/cheaters-guide-dying-wool-felt/
      3. ↑ https://weefolkart.com/cheaters-guide-dying-wool-felt/
      4. ↑ https://weefolkart.com/cheaters-guide-dying-wool-felt/
      5. ↑ https://lyndaheines.com/2017/12/03/how-to-dyeing-wool-felt/
      6. ↑ https://lyndaheines.com/2017/12/03/how-to-dyeing-wool-felt/

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