Teach Yourself VISUALLY Hand-Dyeing Paperback – April 27, 2009

the thumbnail is not the picture of the book.

Teach Yourself Visually Hand Dyeing is a great basic book. It covers both acid dyes (for protein/animal fibers) and fiber reactive dyes (for cellulose/plant fibers). All safety issues are detailed, including safe dye mixing, storing and disposal.One lovely thing about this book is that Barbara Perry addresses dyeing both roving (spinning fiber) and already spun yarn. There are several dyeing books out there that cover one or the other, but generally not both. So this book will be helpful to spinners as well as knitters and crocheters.The book covers a large range of dye techniques - from basic to more advanced. Included techniques:Immersion Dyeing- Solid Shades- Semi Solid Shands- Cold pour variegated dyeing- Rainbow dyed wool locksHand Painting (with variations)- Painting with foam brushes- Painted Semi Solid yarns- Dip Dyed- Variegated Roving- Self Striping Sock skeinsFree Style- Kool Aid in the Slow Cooker- Direct Pour - Low water- Spray Paint Fiber- Microwave Method- Sun Soaked Skeins- Freckled RovingCellulose Fibers- Immersion- Hand Painting- Direct PourOver Dyeing- Natural Colored Fibers- Commercial Yarns- Heather Yarns- Atmospheric EffectsWhat I did find a bit lacking in this book are pictures of the final product. Usually one is shown, in a single colorway. It would have been very helpful to see more than one colorway, as the colors in this book tend to be dark.Be aware that the focus of this book is technique, and it lacks the gorgeous project photography of many current knitting books. But if you'd like to know the basics of hand dyeing, this book is a good reference.

I am pleased and honored to be the first to review Barbara Parry's new book!Since I've been dyeing for almost 20 years, I think I own nearly every book in print regarding the dyeing of yarn and fabric. Ms. Parry's book is one you MUST own if you dye yarn or fiber. I was delighted to find equal treatment and instruction for both protein and cellulose yarns and fibers; something I've been quite disappointed to NOT see in other books. It seems everyone knows how to dye wool...but it takes someone with more skill and knowledge to be able to show us how to dye both plant fibers and wool with equal instruction. Ms. Parry has it COVERED.Everything is here...from basic tools and supplies for BOTH types of dyeing, color theory, how to prepare your fiber for dyeing, right on through the many techniques she explains, as well as a delightful chapter on using your hand-dyed fiber in spinning and knitting projects.I also was VERY happy to find an entire chapter on overdyeing! Just great for those who recycle sweaters for their yarn, or for those who just want to change the color of an existing yarn, Ms. Parry's advice and techniques are just wonderful. She gives explanations for heather and "atmospheric" effects, for creating truly unique yarns. She also shows effects that can be achieved when overdyeing natural colored-yarns, too.All in all, I give this one a for-SURE five stars! The instruction for dyeing cotton and plant fibers alone is worth the price of the book, which, by the way, was very reasonable. For those who would like to step into dyeing cottons, there just hasn't been much out there to help. This book covers ALL the bases, and will teach you something NEW, even if you have been dyeing for years!

An excellent book for learning HOW to dye. Many other books have more on style and colour choice, but Barbara teaches you step-by-step, the process of dyeing. Unless you have someone to show you, or go to a class, you Need this book. Where another book will say --after dabbing on the different colours in the series you want wrap in plastic wrap and steam for several hours--. Barbara will keep you from ending up with white spots or muddy colours. She'll explain with photos and step how to fold and wrap the skein and how to prepare the pot to steam it, how much you can steam at one time, how to rotate if necessary and to know when its done.In one run through with her all the things I didn't like about the yarn I had dyed were fixed. What more can I say. No matter which other books you have, and there are many excellent ones that help you design beautiful yarns, this book teaches the nuts and bolts, the excellent way to do the basics. I keep going back to it over and over.

I love the lay flat spiral bound design- easy to reference while working and all the photos are great! Bought used but in very good condition. I highly recommend the book for those looking for technical directions for hand dyeing yarn and fiber

Very informative beginning primer for the newbie sticking their fingers into the world of fiber dyeing. Barbara Perry is well respected in the knitting world as fiber artist and "indie dyer" of hand dyed yarns. I learned a lot about dyeing yarn, and was able to follow her instructions easily. I started first with KoolAid, and decided that after I could not reach the type of colors I really wanted to dye, I will move on to the acid dyes. Barbara's instructions will prepare me well for taking those steps. Between her book, and the volumes of theory that is out there on the web, its all just messing around and experimenting. Her saftey instructions are very clear, and important to follow.

Well written and very detailed. I am already dyeing yarn, but now I know what I was missing in my "recipes". Perfect, like a Bible for the indie dyer!

I purchased this book because I had read reviews where people said it was THE book that helped them the most. It was ok. I am not an expert in any way, shape, or form. The dyeing through pictures is helpful, but it certainly didn't live up to the reviews I read. However, if you are learning to dye fibers, I would recommend it.

A wonderfully illustrated, clear and easy to use instructions - as it says "visual" so everything set out in a very understandable format. Highly recommended book.

Ottimo libro sull'argomento completo e chiaro, ricco di tante immagini che aiutano a capire bene i procedimenti. Assolutamente ottimo acquisto per chi vuole affacciarsi al mondo della tintura, con una bella panoramica sull'attrezzatura, i materiali, le fibre, le tecniche...

Great visual helping book.Some of the tricks I didt'n know about.Happy to have it in my reference collection.

As described :-)

gute informationen. Schone Bilder auch.Gibt mit die Bilder gute Ideën um Dyeing zu anfangen.Daanake fur eine gute Ausfuhrung on Paper