Kool-Aid Recipe

[WHEA...@delphi.com]

Since there are several requests, here is a much shortened version
of a longer file from a thread on Compuserve. The following is my
summary version and all the participants did give permission in the
past to be quoted.

Hope you all have as much fun with this as I have.

To: Kool-Aid Kaperers - Past, Present & Potential

Original File was uploaded by me on July 12, 1994 to CIS: Crafts Sec 3 Spin
Weaving LIbrary and was edited for Delphi on August 1, 1994.

Kool-Aid Dying is FUN! No Question about that, AND it makes your house smel
great & it can be done indoors & Kids (of all ages) can do it & it needs to
special equipment. And, the equipment is still ok to use for cooking
afterwards.

I would certainly like to thank the many members of the CIS Crafts forum for
eir assistance & thier on-line companionship.

Although I may not have all the messages, I think there is more than enough
help you get started and to share in some of the fun we have been having
with this particular form on dying.

Incidentally, this can KA Dying can be done in your Microwave, Regular Oven,
Stove Top, Sun Dye in a Solar Oven, on the deck of your boat, well you get
the idea.

In addition to the 100's of messages on this forum, one other source informa
on was a recent issue of Back Home Magazine.

It described the KoolAid Dye process using your stove or oven.

WARNING THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT will drive your spell-checker crazy, and you ma
become obsessed with the processes to be described.
BUT your house will smell very nice if somewhat fruity.

Thus far I have discovered the following Kolor Names:

KOOL-AID Flavor MOHAIR KOLOR
Berry Blue Robin's Egg Blue
Black Cherry Burgundy
Cherry Chistmas Red
Grape Purple
Great Bluedini Green
Incrediberry Pinky Orange
Kickin'Kiwi-Lime Light Chartreuse Green
Lemonade Pale, Baby Yellow
Lemon-Lime Bright Christmas Green
Man-O-Mango-Berry Salmon/Pink
Oh Yeah-Orange Pineapple Light, Golden Yellow
Orange Orange
Pina-Pineapple Bright, Golden Yellow
Pink Swimingo Coral Pinks
PurpleSaurusRex Lighter Purple
Raspberry Darker Purplish Pinks
Rockadile Red Fire Engine Red
Sharkleberry Fin Pink
Strawberry Light Pinks
Tropical Punch Deep Reds

If there are more, I would love to hear about it:

P.S. Have a blast - I surely did.
==============================================================

Sb: #Great BLUEdini Is Green
Fm: Wheat Carr/NY

Dear KoolAid Guru,
After tearing the house apart to find the correct issue of Back Home, f
ally finding the CIS thread - I find both are missing
some important elements.
Of course, I did not allow this to stop me when this sudden obsession
t earlier this evening. But I am curious to know
the *correct* way to KoolAid Dye.
What is the Microwave procedure since I have no intention of turning on
stove again till October - (if it cannot be
prepared in the nuke box, outdoor grill, bread machine or worst case, the st
e top - it will not be served here until Fall).
Oh, what kind of vinegar - I felt fairly certain that it should not be
ple cider (brownish), of the wine vinegars that I
added tarragon, basil, chives, or garlic before bottling, but that left on
the gallon of deep purple wine vinegar that has not
had any additives yet.
Do you think this is why my bluedini is green.

P.S. I was, however, somewhat pleased with how PurpleSaurusRex produced a ve
wide range of mauvy-country pink to
deep purple.

(okyougotmestartedonthisanditwasinterestingnowyouhavetogiveinstru
ctions)

Answer Re Correct Procedure:

I put a quart of water in a Corningware casserole dish, put the Kool Aid in,
t the fiber in, cover it with the cover, and nuke
it. Check it every four minutes or so until the fiber is the color you want

Eventually the water will go colorless, which means you have exhauste
the dye. Let the fiber cool a little and then rinse
it.

Kool Aid already contains acid, but if you want to put vinegar in, use the s
e plain white vinegar that you rinse wool in.

Bluedini is just green. Berry Blue, of lamented loss, was more of a turquoi
, but still not indigo blue.

I gotta do this again!

From: Wheat Carr

Ok you mean the vinegar is optional or it should be done as a rinse, And us
less water, (I used 1 1/2 qts figuring that the
yarn probably held about 1/2 c and koolaid wants 2 qts.)

Sb: Great BLUEdini Is Green

I see that Tina has provided you with your much needed information. I'm not
actly that precise. I have a container I fill 2/3
of the way with water then I put in two or three packets of Koolaid. Then I
ke it for five to fifteen minutes depending on how
well the color is "taking". I dye fleece or roving because frequently I get
even results and when I spin, I can blend the
uneven parts together for a heathery effect.

ALSO, it helps the wool take a LITTLE more evenly if you presoak your fiber

Bluedini is a misnomer. It really IS blue-GREEN.

My favorite color is Sharkleberry Fin. I saw a Gumbo sweater kit where, I sw
r, the colors of the yarns in it were EXACTLY
Sharkeberry Fin pink!

PS. In my (Flash) swap samples, the blue is Koolaid's discontinued Berry Blu
and the pink is Sharkleberry Fin. Flavor-Aid
(a koolaid knockoff) has some blue now, but I haven't tried it to see if it
s as nice as Koolaid's was.

Sb: Koolaid dyeing

I have been doing a lot with koolaid this past week or so & the silk was the
ast pleasing. It could be something I was doing,
but I had some silk in both the MD fibers and other blends and I had to go b
k and re-do the silks.

But mohair & wools are looking wonderful. And the Silk/Lincoln finally got
be the way I wanted after the 3rd try.

Re-dyed with the same color(s) - but I used 3 packages of koolaid, simmered
for about 20 mins AFTER it started to bubble.
I forget how much fiber was in the package. It is the Lincoln/silk for MD
ap. Maybe Debbie will remember how much we
each got.

I also did this with a small (wt.) amount of silk roving and it finally took
e grape dye.

Today, while waiting for Henry to get ready to leave the house I found a bla
trash bag, so I put a couple of jars of Koolaid
& fleece outside in what I hope will prove to be a sunny spot and will see
w that works. The deli next door to office has
been saving me the 2 gallon glass pickle jars & they do not fit in the micr
ave - guess I need a taller microwave.

Sb: Koolaid Kapers About Adding Salt

Dont feel bad, after Carol told me to use salt, I blithely grabbed the neare
salt shaker and empited it into the water.

This did not help - in fact it looked less even. Of course, I felt like a c
plete idiot as I started a 2nd batch and was politely
asked by Henry.

"Why are you putting Salt Substitute in the Kool-Aid - Perhaps you should tr
a little of Mrs Dash too"

Sb: Dyeing with KoolAid v. Fla-Vor-Aid

I tried the tropical punch in what is as close as I intend to get to a contr
led experiment. The color what there was of it, was
about the same as Kool-Aid, but the KA happily colored the 1/2 oz of mohair
d 1/2 white wool fairly evenly.

Both were in same size bowls, 1 qt water, 1/4 c. vinegar & 1 pkg drink mix.
e KA took longer to absorb the color, got darker,
was much more even throughout the fiber.

Wyler's now THAT I used to drink. Did you ever mix grape & lemonade? That
s my favorite.

Why not try the blue punch. It might be worthwhile & none of the other colo
give a darker blue - which is what I am looking
for.

The Berry Blue is pretty, but I wanted more of a denium-type blue.

Sb: Dyeing with KoolAid - Add Sugar ?

Not dumb, I asked - No Sugar

However, this may lead to unexpected colors - For example, you would think "
eat BLUEdini" would be blue. Not so -
apparently it wants sugar to be blue - but it does make a nice green.

I am still in search of Sharkleberry (sp?) Fin, then will have tried all the
avors I know.

Also, DONT use Fla-Vor-Aid. It was very disappointing.

Sb: Kool-Aid Dyeing - Using Fla-Vor-Aid Brand

Its not that the flavoraid didnt work at all, just not as well. The Orange
s MUCH lighter and the Tropical Punch did not take
as well either.

The KS tropical punch is much deeper color and I really like it.

Now what do you overdye to get Blue.

Sb: #Berry Blue Found

Today we went to Field Day - this is an amatuer radio thing and I only went
r part of the day - took a drop spindle and a
bunch of koolaid dyed wool. Sat on the edge of the Harbor & let the breeze
ow thru my hair.

On the way home I said, We have to stop at (listed 3 stupid markets), WHY sa
Henry who hates stupid market more than
me. Because I cannot remember where to get the Berry Blue Koolaid. Oh, th
was the A&P on 9A, Are you sure (it was
the most out of the way) YES, dont you remember standing in the aisle going
OOO OOO this is supposed to be no longer
made & they have hundreds of packages of which you bought 10.

So I blithely bought 125 packages at 5/$1 & will send to all who ask. There
e still at least another 100 packages left (but,
alas no more money in my pocket) so if I had orders, I would certainly go b
k.

Before leaving today, I did start a batch of wool in Berry BLue- it is now s
mmering with grape, raspberry, and Pink
Swimingo. Reports Later

Yes Audra, Kathy & Carol - You will each get a supply - Anyone else want to
in this merry go round of Koolaid Dying.

P.S. At the checkout the cashier says, "do you mind if I ask why you are get
ng all this Koolaid, it is not even on sale" to
which I blithely replied "oh some friends & I are going to do dying" He lo
ed at me rather puzzled & shocked but when we
got to the parking lot Henry says, You Know-He thinks you are Jim Jones rein
rnated - KoolAid, Dying, The Jonestown
Massacre of many years ago. Now wont that kid be surprised when I come bac
for more later this week. (I hid the
remaining cases behind all the other flavors - well just think about his fac
when I come back for the rest &
ain't dead!

Sb: Berry Blue Found - Getting darker Blues

Deb's instructions *sounded* like first you do the fleece in Berry Blue, the
Over dye with grape.

So before we went out Sunday morning I nuked a few oz of white fleece and th
when we came home I split it into 3 and
added one color to each.

For reason known only to them that watch over me, I also decided to "fill" t
bowls with some plain fleece.

The previously dyed turned:

a) with Pink Swimnigo, Light/dark Purple

b) with Raspberry, Redish Purple

c) with Grape, Bluish Purple - Maybe I left it in too long

BUT the result with the white wool that I "threw in on a whim" was:

a)with the Pink Swiningo turned a very pretty pale pink

b)with the raspberry, turened a darker lavendarish-pink

c)with the grape, a "faded" blue denium.

Having more whims than brains and since dinner was taking longer than expect
I decided to see if I could get more of the
denium color.

Did you all know that there is such a thing as berry blue sugar free jello.
d did you know that it must have LOTS more color
because one jello to 1.5 qts water (no salt, no vinegar) dyed very evenly ab
t 3 oz of berry blue and acted the same with
I tried the add grape, throw in white wool to get denium blue? And did you k
w I consider the result to be yucky cause the
yarn was very sticky, so will not use this again unless desparate -

Lemonade gave a nice pastel baby type yellow on mohair and Pina=Pinapple gav
a vibrant vaguely orange cast on wool
& mohair. Pina- also is fair strong scent so it definitely defeated goat odo
It also attracted significant attention at field
day.

Sb: Berry Blue Found - Re Jello

re Jello,
The answer is that it was $.55 a box, gave the same color as koolaid, but si
e I used fleece and it is kind of sticky/gooey
I likely would not repeat this unless it were my only source for the color a
then I think I would use yarn not fleece since that
is easier to wash. BUT I am going to experiement further and will post thes
less than "scientific" results.

Sb: Sharkleberry Fin Found

IMPORTANT NOTE TO THE FORUM POLICE: Dispite all appearances, the following
ue News Story is completely on topic
and may not be moved except possibly copied to ... so my friends and accompl
es in dying can share.

6:15pm EST - This Date

We interupt this forum to announce that ANOTHER A&P Stupid Market staff has
en left shaking its collective head as a
wildeyed shopper emptied its Koolaid shelf when a stray envelope marked Shar
eberry Fin was spotted.

CAN YOU believe it was next to 1 & 1/2 cases (approx 125 envelopes) of Berry
ue AND immediately in front of MANY
cases of Rocadile Red. AND there was a full case -

So how much am I bid for this rare find of a species previously believed to
extinct

Sb: Sharkleberry Fin Found

Sharkleberry Fin made a very nice Pink, Kathy says it is the same as Incred
erry, but I am going to look at them together
once both are dry.

Berry Blue & Sharkleberry Fin are both Manufacturer Discontinued, but I just
t a man who collect antiques spinning wheels
AND works for General Foods research labs - he is trying to get me either mo
info about what is in each or maybe so
koolaid. Engineers & scientists are wonderful men (except when they try to
sign kitchens)

Sb: Dyeing with KoolAid - Grape Puppy Explained

>>> Wheat Carr has been dyeing Samoyed, <<<<<<

..and white wool and gray wool and dk gray wool and silk and mohair and alm
t anything that did not stand still.

What I cannot understand is WHY koolaid will permanently stain white towels
d tee-shirts but not fiber.

Sb: thinking about starting - KA & Mohair

Why is mohair suddenly so attractive?

Because it sucks up that koolaid color so vibrantly. Wool also drinks it up
t more sedately.

Mohair is like old=fashioned crayola crayon colors.

Wool is more muted.

Both are lovely.

Sb: #466507-KOOLAID SWAP PLEASE READ
Sb: My Bais KA Recipe

My basic koolaid "recipe" and there are many variations, is for my curr
t obsession with seeing all the colors. I have been
using about 1/3 oz of white adult mohair & 1/3 oz of white wool to see the d
ference in goat & sheep absorb fiber.
Also being impatient, thou I have done some sundye in the driveway, I h
e been nuking so of course the bowl/pan has
to be microwave safe.
The Bouncer Pitchers (Beer Type Pitchers) have worked well & 3 fit in m
Microwave so that is what I have been using.
Both the glass & plastic variety (plastic 2 pak, SAM's Warehouse $8.97 for 2
ak)
Presoak reasonably clean fiber at least 10-15 minute in about 2 qts of
ter. IF you want even color, add about a
teaspoon of salt to the water, others suggested vinegar.

To Be Honest, When doing fiber, I like the variation which is a good thing,
cause no matter what I do it is varied.

Others have suggested dish washing liquid like Dawn in the presoak Then
1 qt to 1.5 qts water to 1 pkg koolaid, in glass or stainless steel e
mel pot.
Mix well Submerge pre-soaked fiber or yarn in koolaid,
Nuke about 10 minutes. Everyone else says 3-4 mins then check.
I check at 10 minutes - then maybe 10 more till liquid is either clear
opaque white.
Allow to cool, then spin out excess liquid in a salad spinner or roll
to a towel to get rid of excess.
Spread on a screen/sweater rack of something to air dry. The Snack Z
loc are not the veggie bags.
But I think I saw sandwich size the other day. I really like the idea of pu
ing the cedar chips in the bag so they dont stick
to the fiber. I think your idea is brilliant.

Sb: Koolaid Story

Actually, I was working on it earlier tonight. I got some small squares of
astic canvas. I am spinning up all but a bit of the
fleece, x-stitching some below and then tying on a very mini-skein. I have
th white wool and white mohair.

I have definitely decided against further use of the Jello unless a serious
pply problem occurs in the distant future.

Just when I think I have it all...NOW I read a message talking about Black C
rry.

Sb: Rockadile Red

Great Bluedini, ONLY turns blue after adding sugar - this is not recommended
en dying with Koolaid.
It is a very nice green without the sugar.

Sb: Mostly KoolAid Swap

The canisters are sweetened and cant be used.

Clue, if you read the directions it does not tell you to add sugar, then it
not usable.

Also, Jello is not desirable either.
TRicia Dowling Entries

Sb: Koolaid Swap - Sundye on your Boat Deck

My sundye efforts were these:

1. Chain a yard of moh roving

2. Soak it in tap water for about 15 mins, or until thoroughly saturated

3. Place it in a Ziploc baggie

4. Sprinkle in some Kool Aid

5. Close the Ziploc after pressing the powder into the moisture

6. Place closed bag in sun on hot steel deck all day

7. At sundown, dump into bucket of water of same temperature as contents of
ploc

8. Rinse thoroughly without agitating roving

9. Hang to dry, unchaining roving whenever it feels possible to
do so without disturbing the fibers

10. Admire for 3 weeks as it calls to you from its hanger while you
spin cotton

That was for a heathered effect. For a more even effect, add salt (aids eve
distribution) & KA to water in the baggie,
insert wet or brine-wet moh, squish the dye through the fiber for even distr
ution & continue. I put my bags on deck in
black "Little Giant" buckets, but placing them in a black hefty bag helps,
so. Other substitutions might be jars for ziplocs.
No set rules, except "Try it, you'll *like* it!" <ggg>

Have fun!!!

Sb: Attn: Koolaid Kaperers - More About Boat Board Technique

Just rinsed the week-old sun-KA-cotton roving. The Cherry retained a pink s
mon color, slightly richer than pastel. The
Great Bluedini, however, had obviously not been absorbed by the cotton, so I
t that dyebath, its roving, plus a little Ivory
Liquid into the hot pot. Brilliant move, if I'd really wanted to wash the c
kpit with green soapy water that ran right down over
the engine into the bilge because the cockpit isn't sealed. (Well, I keep t
ling you I can't cook! And yes, I know soap boils
over, and would never put it in the pressure cooker.) So then I got smart,
hung the hot pot handle over the edge of a
bucket, suspending it so it wouldn't stew in its own juices, so to speak. W
reupon it SPAT the roving up over the opposite
edge of the bucket, along with a great geyser of green suds! Hey, when the
animates are that insistant, listen to the little
devils! My Great Bluedini cotton, therefore, is very white!

On the same day I started the Kotton Koolaid Sun Kapers, I poked a chain of
e roving down into the jug of Cu/NH3
(remember the Cu/NH3? <ggg>). I hadn't wet it first, so I kept squishing it
to the jug with a finger to get it to absorb the
liquor. Well, after some 3 hours in there (<shudder> it sure doesn't have
ch water left, as I replenished it with only
ammonia after each dip!), it shows some hints of blue here & there {well, he
I am writing to you in the middle of another
wild storm!!! Just blew in a *pretty* little schooner, about 40', singlehan
d by a woman! No fwd gear. Brought her in neatly
& laid her alongside the pilings with the wind! While I'm fiddling & fumblin
with my cheepcheeppolytarp that holds up just fine
when I'm not home. 'Course it's already down then, & not full of wind like a
innaker, with Piglet straining at her dock lines
to run ashore...} , but *hints only*! My fingernail, OTOH, remained a bril
ant copper patina green for some 5 days, before
fading to a pastel only I notice...

I believe it was Nancy R, but it may have been someone else, who pointed out
cently that there's a difference between
dyeing and staining. I suspect that what's happening when the cotton picks
any of these colors is staining. Red stains
better than any other color, & red is what "took" best. So, that's the lates
Koolaid Kaper. <g>