How to Look After Hand-Dyed Yarn: Your Complete Guide to Colour, Care and Longevity

Hand-dyed yarn, often known as indie-dyed yarn, is one of the greatest joys in the fibre world. Every skein is unique. Every colourway tells a story. And every stitch you make becomes part of a deeper creative legacy shared between the dyer and the maker.

But beautiful yarn needs beautiful care.

If you’ve ever wondered how to care for hand-dyed yarn, how to keep those colours radiant or how to ensure your finished project lasts for years, this is your go-to guide. Whether you’re new to indie-dyed skeins or have a whole shelf devoted to Australian hand-dyed yarn, these tips will help you protect your investment and your creativity.

This article covers everything you need to know about caring for hand-dyed yarn, including washing, storage, colour preservation, project preparation and long-term fibre care. Let’s dive in.

Why Hand-Dyed Yarn Needs Special Care

Unlike commercially dyed yarns, hand-dyed and indie-dyed yarns are crafted in small batches. They are dyed by human hands, one pot at a time, using artisanal techniques, boutique dye sources and carefully monitored heat, acidity and timing.

This means:

• colours may vary slightly between batches

• some skeins may contain more saturated areas

• delicate dyes can require gentler care

• washing methods impact colour retention

• each skein has its own personality

Learning how to maintain colour in hand-dyed yarn is essential for protecting your projects and ensuring that the artistry of the dyer remains beautifully preserved.

Before You Start: Preparing Your Hand-Dyed Yarn

1. Wind Your Yarn Carefully

Before knitting, crocheting or weaving, always wind your skein into a ball or cake. This prevents tangles, reduces tension stress and helps evenly distribute the fibres before use.

Avoid overly tight cakes. Tightly wound yarn can stretch fibres and change gauge. We recommend caking your yarn just before use or caking it twice. The second pass relaxes the fibres dramatically.

2. Check for Colour Fastness

Some indie-dyed skeins release a small amount of dye (known as “crocking”). This is normal in saturated colourways, speckles or deep tonals.

To test:

1. Fill a bowl with cool water.

2. Dip a piece of scrap yarn or the yarn tail.

3. Observe for colour bleed.

Mild tinting is common and safe. Heavy bleeding may require a pre-soak (more on that below).

3. Swatch and Soak

For garments or anything where size matters:

• make a gauge swatch

• soak the swatch the same way you’ll wash the finished item

• if required in the pattern, block the swatch

• otherwise, lay it flat to dry

This tells you how the yarn behaves when wet. This is vital information for indie-dyed yarns where fibres and dyes each respond differently to moisture.

How to Wash Hand-Dyed Yarn and Hand-Dyed Projects

When searching for care instructions for hand-dyed yarn, you’ll find one universal rule:

👉 Cool water + gentle handling = the best protection.

Here is your step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Fill a Basin With Cool Water

Hot water can cause:

• dye bleed

• fibre felting

• colour shifting

• yarn distortion

Always aim for water that feels cool to the touch.

Step 2: Add a Gentle, Wool-Safe Wash

Look for:

• pH-neutral detergents

• wool washes

• no added brighteners

• no harsh surfactants

• no bleach

• no enzymes

Unscented formulas or washes containing lanolin are ideal. Avoid anything designed for regular laundry.

Step 3: Submerge and Soak (But Don’t Agitate!)

Place your project in the water and let it sink in naturally. Soak for 10–15 minutes.

Avoid:

• squeezing aggressively

• rubbing

• swirling

• wringing

Agitation, combined with heat, causes felting, especially in wool-rich Australian hand-dyed yarn.

If the water tints slightly, don’t panic. Many indie-dyed yarns contain saturated pigments that release excess particles. This won’t affect long-term colour if cared for properly.

Step 4: Rinse Gently

Empty the basin and refill with clean cool water. Gently lift and lower your garment to encourage water flow. Avoid holding heavy wet garments by one edge. Support the weight with both hands to prevent stretching.

Step 5: Remove Excess Water Safely

Place your project on a clean towel. Roll the towel like a sushi mat. Press (don’t twist or wring!) to remove moisture. For larger garments, repeat with a second towel.

Step 6: Reshape and Dry Flat

Lay your project on a flat drying surface.Shape it to the original measurements. Keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. Never hang indie-dyed garments to dry. Weight can distort the shape, especially in plant fibres.

How to Maintain Colour in Hand-Dyed Yarn

Colour preservation starts long before washing. Here are essential practices for keeping your indie-dyed yarn vibrant:

1. Store Out of Direct Sunlight

UV light breaks down pigment and can cause uneven fading.

Store skeins:

• in drawers

• in cubbies

• in closed baskets

• behind tinted glass

• in craft cupboards

2. Use Cool Water Only

Even warm water can encourage dyes to run or dull.

Cool water protects:

• tonals

• speckles

• variegated colourways

• saturated pigments

3. Pair With Similar Colours

When soaking:

• don’t mix lights and darks

• treat reds, blues and neons with extra care

• aim for one project per basin

If you’re using multiple skeins of Australian hand-dyed yarn in the same project, alternate skeins every few rows to blend subtle colour variations. This is a common practice with indie dyers.

4. Avoid Friction

Friction causes fuzzing, pilling and fibre wear.

Reduce friction by:

• wearing handmade garments with smooth layers

• carrying projects in fabric bags (not rough baskets)

• avoiding harsh jewellery that can snag fibres

5. Use a Wool-Safe Detergent

Harsh detergents strip colour. Brighteners artificially alter hues. Enzymes can break down protein fibres. A gentle, wool-safe wash protects both colour and fibre integrity.

Caring for Different Types of Hand-Dyed Yarn

Not all indie-dyed skeins behave the same. Each fibre type deserves attention.

Wool & Wool Blends

Most hand-dyed yarns in Australia are wool-based due to the country’s incredible fibre heritage.

Care tips:

• avoid hot water

• do not agitate

• block gently

• store with lavender or cedar to discourage moths

• never tumble dry

Superwash Yarn

Superwash fibres are designed to resist felting, but they still require care.

Tips:

• cool water only

• avoid harsh detergents

• reshape while damp

• do not hang dry (they stretch!)

Superwash fibres absorb dye differently and may release more pigment during soaking, especially deep reds, purples or blues.

Plant Fibres (Cotton, Bamboo, Linen, Tencel)

Plant fibres don’t felt, but they:

• benefit from gentle washing

• may grow when hung

• become heavy when wet

• can lose shape without support

Dry flat and reshape thoroughly.

Silk & Silk Blends

Silk is both strong and delicate.

Tips:

• always hand wash

• use cool water

• avoid sunlight (silk fades quickly!)

• dry flat

• avoid wringing

Silk holds dye beautifully, but also releases it if soaked too long.

How to Store Hand-Dyed Yarn Properly

Whether you have one skein or an overflowing stash of Australian hand-dyed yarn, proper storage protects your investment. The ideal conditions are:

• cool

• dry

• dark

• breathable

Avoid plastic tubs long-term; they trap moisture and can lead to mildew. Instead, choose:

• cotton bags

• linen sacks

• open shelving

• sealed containers with silica gel packs

Add lavender, cedar or rosemary sachets for moth prevention.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. My yarn bled in the soak. Is it ruined?

No. This is common in saturated or speckled colourways.If the project dries true to colour, it’s perfectly safe.

2. My garment stretched after washing.

This can happen with:

• plant fibres

• superwash yarns

• heavy projects

To fix:

• wet block again

• reshape

• dry flat

• avoid hanging at all costs

• thread some thin elastic for projects using fibres such as cotton to return to the original shape and size

3. The colours look dull after a few washes.

Check for:

• detergent strength

• water temperature

• sun exposure

• storage conditions

Often, switching to a wool-safe wash restores vibrancy.

Hand-dyed yarn is special. It’s personal, artisanal and full of heart. With the right care, your skeins and finished projects will stay vibrant, soft and beautiful for years to come. Cool water, gentle handling and mindful storage are all it takes to preserve the colours and craftsmanship that make indie-dyed yarn so beloved.

A little care goes a long way, and your yarn will reward you with lasting beauty every time you pick up your hooks, needles or loom.