design with color?

[Anne in SD]

I just got a skein of fisherman's on sale and now face the big question.

Do I dye with Kool-Aid first or should I wait til the soaker is done and then dye?

I was thinking of 'hand-painting' the textured stitches a different color from the main part. Or is this something too stupid to contemplate?

[CraftyMommaOf2]

Why don't you dye enough (MORE than enough) yarn for each section you want different before you start and just add in the new color as you need it? Like my thing is to have a natural waistband and cuffs but colored body. It's easier to varigate before you knit than it is after. And I'm an anal medicine dropper dyer. :LOL

Totally forgot to tell you that you run the risk of the colors bleeding together if you dye after it's done.

[pamelamama]

I'd love to see how that hand painting turns out. Elizabeth of KIYP did a hand painted soaker that came out gorgeous. Anyway, give it a try! Youc an always overdye it !! :)

[ravingcutie]

I think you get more intense & blended color when you dye first. Then you don't ruin a full soaker if you don't like how it turns out. I'm almost afraid to dye afterward, although the tie dyed soakers are really pretty!

[averymybaby]

tie dyed soakers? where? :faint

[ravingcutie]

Sorry to take so long - not meaning to ignore you. I was at SIL's wedding all weekend! Ok, so I was away all weekend; she only got married on sat.

Here's the linkie: http://www.knitinyourpants.com/store/piclink.asp?pageID=GalleryofSoakers

Elizabeth! Elizabeth! Is there any trick to doing this, you tie dye master?