Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Yes—cyanotype can be printed on knitted and crocheted fabric. The most reliable first project uses a clean, light-colored cotton or linen piece, a thin coat of two-part sensitizer, a tightly compressed contact setup, and a test swatch exposed before the finished item. Wool and very fuzzy or open stitches require extra caution, and every finished print needs gentle, low-alkali laundering.
What you need
- A clean, absorbent handknit or crochet piece, preferably cotton or linen. Jacquard lists cotton, linen, silk, canvas, wool, paper, wood and leather as compatible surfaces, but wool can felt during washing and its natural oils may resist sensitizer.
- A two-part cyanotype sensitizer, such as the Jacquard Cyanotype Sensitizer Set. Prepare the stock solutions and mix equal parts immediately before coating.
- A foam or hake brush, clean muslin or another non-metallic blotting surface, a rigid backing board, transparent film negative or opaque objects, UV-transmitting glass or a contact plate, clips or tape, gloves and clean trays.
- Subdued work lighting, ventilation and a dark or light-safe drying area.
Keep chemistry, brushes, trays and measuring vessels dedicated to photographic work; never return them to kitchen use.
Choose and prepare the textile
Fiber and color
Light cotton and linen are the easiest starting substrates because they absorb the solution evenly and provide a strong contrast with Prussian blue. Silk, canvas and other natural materials may work, but the yarn’s original color remains visible through the translucent blue. A dark or strongly colored yarn can therefore produce a muted, mixed-color result rather than blue on white.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Wool deserves a separate test. Its oils can repel the sensitizer, and repeated wet handling can felt the fabric. Treat a wool print as decorative unless a swatch proves that your yarn, wash method and blocking routine are compatible.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE CYANOTYPE KIT: Everything you need to start sun printing in one box. Includes Jacquard's 2-part cyanotype sensitizer set plus a Moshify sponge brush applicator for smooth, even coating on paper, fabric, wood, and more.
- WORKS ON ANY NATURAL SURFACE: Create stunning Prussian blue prints on cotton, linen, silk, canvas, wood, paper, and leather. Perfect for sun printing, blueprint photography, fabric arts, quilting, and mixed media projects.
- EASY SUN PRINTING PROCESS: Simply mix the two-part sensitizer, apply with the included sponge brush, place objects or negatives on your surface, and expose to sunlight. Results in minutes — no darkroom needed.
- GREAT FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS: Ideal gift for photographers, mixed media artists, printmakers, quilters, and kids. The cyanotype process is forgiving, magical, and fun for ages 8 and up. Makes 65+ prints from one kit.
- PROFESSIONAL QUALITY SUPPLIES: Jacquard is the industry-standard brand trusted by artists and photographers worldwide. Paired with a Moshify sponge brush designed specifically for even, mess-free sensitizer application.
Wash, block and test
- Wash the piece to remove manufacturing finishes and detergent residue, then dry it completely.
- Smooth or block it so the stitches sit in the shape you want to print.
- Make a small swatch from the same yarn and stitch pattern. Use it to test coating, exposure and laundering before committing the finished piece.
Coat the stitches without flooding them
- Work in subdued light. Mix equal parts of the two sensitizer components only after their stock solutions are prepared.
- Apply the mixture with a foam brush to only the area that will receive the image. Stitches are uneven and absorbent, so use a light, even coat rather than trying to soak the yarn through.
- Place the coated area between clean muslin and gently blot excess solution. Pooling in valleys between stitches can create uneven density and long drying times.
- Dry the piece fully in darkness or a light-safe place. Do not expose it while damp: moisture can produce a poor print and may damage a paper negative.
Build a sharp contact print
Put the dry textile on a rigid board. Lay a film negative ink-side down, or arrange completely dry leaves, lace, paper cutouts or other objects on the sensitized surface. Cover the stack with glass or another UV-transmitting contact plate and clip or tape it so nothing shifts. Movement blurs edges; raised cables, open lace and fuzzy fibers can also create broken edges or halos because parts of the design sit farther from the sensitized yarn. Compress the assembly as evenly as the stitches allow.
Expose with a test strip first
Cyanotype records ultraviolet light, so exposure depends on the sun or lamp, season, cloud cover, distance, glass and the absorbency of the yarn. Make a stepped test on your swatch rather than relying on a single time.
Rank #2
- VERSATILE FOR FABRIC & MORE: Specially formulated cyanotype fabric dye and solution for fabric ensure vibrant, long-lasting results on textiles, paper, wood, and other surfaces, making it ideal for creative cyanotype fabric projects
- MAKES 16 FL OZ PREPARED CYANOTYPE SOLUTION: This cyanotype kit includes concentrated Part A and Part B chemicals. Add 7.25 fl oz (214 mL) water to Part A and 6.25 fl oz (185 mL) to Part B, keep them separate, then mix equal amounts 1:1 as needed
- WELCOME INTO THE WORLD OF ARTS: Once processed, images produced with this cyanotype kit become durable and resistant to fading. The final product maintains stability under normal indoor lighting conditions
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY: Easy-to-follow instructions guide you through mixing cyanotype liquid, coating surfaces, and exposing designs to sunlight, while high-purity chemicals deliver sharp, classic blue cyanotype prints every time
- IDEAL GIFT FOR ARTISTS: Whether for hobbyists exploring cyanotype techniques or professionals seeking reliable cyanotype chemicals, this kit combines convenience, quality, and creativity in one portable package
| Situation | Published guidance | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Direct-sun handknit or crochet test | About 5 minutes to more than 15 minutes, depending on conditions (Christina McFall, Make, 2011) | Start with short intervals and uncover successive sections of the swatch. |
| Common cyanotype conditions | About 5–20 minutes | Use only as an initial range; yarn thickness and light intensity can move the correct time outside it. |
| Jacquard detailed instructions | Roughly 1–30 minutes, depending on light and substrate | Judge the test rather than treating the range as a fixed recipe. |
| Jacquard Cyanotype Kit guidance | Typically 10–20 minutes | This applies to the kit’s stated conditions, not every lamp, fabric or stitch. |
During exposure, the sensitized areas usually shift toward a bronzed or gray-brown appearance. Stop at the test result that gives the cleanest separation without losing fine detail.
Develop and rinse the blue
- Move the exposed piece into cool water and gently agitate it.
- Change the water repeatedly until the yellow-green unexposed sensitizer has disappeared and the rinse water stays clear. Jacquard specifies at least five minutes; thick or tightly knitted yarn can require longer because solution is held between fibers.
- Hydrogen peroxide can accelerate the change to deep blue, but it is optional. Water washing and continued oxidation will develop the print without it.
- Air-dry flat or on a clean line. Block the piece again in the way appropriate for its fiber. The blue generally deepens as oxidation completes.
Design choices that work on textured fabric
- For a first test, choose a flat leaf, lace, paper cutout or dense film negative. These maintain closer contact than objects that arch over the stitches.
- Open lace and raised cables can produce attractive broken contours, but they are less predictable than a compressed, flat subject.
- Fuzzy yarn softens edges; tightly compressed contact produces the sharpest image available on that stitch structure.
- Remember that cyanotype is monochrome Prussian blue on a light ground. The base yarn color optically mixes with the transparent print.
Wash and use the finished piece carefully
Cyanotype is sensitive to laundry chemistry and prolonged bright light. Wash in cold water with a non-phosphate detergent. Avoid bleach, alkaline products, oxygen cleaners, borax, washing soda and fabric softener; high-pH conditions can yellow or fade the print. Test the exact detergent on your yarn-and-sensitizer swatch before washing the finished item.
Rank #3
- VERSATILE FOR FABRIC & MORE: Specially formulated cyanotype fabric dye and solution for fabric ensure vibrant, long-lasting results on textiles, paper, wood, and other surfaces, making it ideal for creative cyanotype fabric projects.
- MAKES 16 FL OZ PREPARED CYANOTYPE SOLUTION: This cyanotype kit includes concentrated Part A and Part B chemicals. Add 7.25 fl oz (214 mL) water to Part A and 6.25 fl oz (185 mL) to Part B, keep them separate, then mix equal amounts 1:1 as needed
- WELCOME INTO THE WORLD OF ARTS: Once processed, images produced with this cyanotype kit become durable and resistant to fading. The final product maintains stability under normal indoor lighting conditions
- BEGINNER-FRIENDLY: Easy-to-follow instructions guide you through mixing cyanotype liquid, coating surfaces, and exposing designs to sunlight, while high-purity chemicals deliver sharp, classic blue cyanotype prints every time
- IDEAL GIFT FOR ARTISTS: Whether for hobbyists exploring cyanotype techniques or professionals seeking reliable cyanotype chemicals, this kit combines convenience, quality, and creativity in one portable package
Because stitch structure, coating amount and laundering vary widely, there is no established controlled wash-life percentage for handknit or crochet cyanotypes. Until your own swatch proves otherwise, treat the finished piece as decorative or gently used rather than as a frequently laundered garment.
Safety and chemical handling
- Wear gloves, avoid skin, eye and dust contact, and provide ventilation. Follow the current safety sheet for the exact sensitizer product.
- Keep coating and rinse trays away from food preparation and label them for photographic use only.
- Use subdued light while mixing and coating, and keep negatives and objects dry until the contact assembly is ready.
- Never improvise with hydrochloric acid as an intensifier. It can react with cyanotype chemistry to produce cyanide gas.
Which starting format makes sense?
| Option | What it provides | Best fit for handknits and crochet |
|---|---|---|
| Jacquard Cyanotype Sensitizer Set | Two-component chemistry for fabric and paper, with natural-fiber compatibility stated by the manufacturer | Best when you want control over where and how heavily each stitch is coated. |
| Jacquard Cyanotype Kit | Premeasured chemistry, brush, glass printing frame, clips, film and paper | Convenient for a first contact-print setup when you also need basic hardware. |
| Pretreated textile | Chemistry is applied before purchase; coating control is limited | Useful for flat fabric tests, but it may not conform evenly to a handmade, textured piece. |
Whichever route you choose, budget for gloves, dedicated trays, a brush, a rigid board and a suitable UV source in addition to the chemistry. Make the swatch first; it is the most reliable way to discover how your particular yarn, stitch tension and light source behave.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ☀Package Including: You will receive 24 sheets cyanotype paper and 1 piece acrylic board. This package has enough quantity sun print papers for you to choose, will be the best supplies for your create.
- ☀Nice Activity With Kids: This sun print process is simple and interesting. It is a nice hands-on activity to do with kids, get more interaction with children, cultivate children's interest. It will be an unforgettable and happy day with children.
- ☀EASY TO USE: Put your idea on sun printing paper, fix it with an acrylic board and clamp. Expose in the sun for 5 - 15 min, until the color of paper changes. Rinse the paper with water for about 1 min till the water is clean. Lay your sun print flat and allow it to dry, perfect artistic work is done.
- ☀Appropriate Size: The cyanotype papers is approx. 5.8 x 8.3 in/ 14.8×21 cm, suitable size for kids, not too big or too small for you to carry around. Sun print papers are handmade, the edges are a bit black, but these has no influence on the use of product.
- ☀100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you have any questions with these sun prints paper, please don't hesitate to contact us, we would be more than happy to assist.
Rank #4
- Cyanotype Set: The Sunprint kit is a creative tool designed for art enthusiasts, harnessing the classical art of photography. Without requiring a darkroom or complex equipment, it utilizes the unique principle of sunlight development to transform negatives, plants, or any translucent objects into vintage blue-toned images
- The Cyanotype Kit Includes: 1 x cyanotype solution A & B, 9 x Cutout Patterns, 8 x Binder Clip, 4 x Droppers, 1 x Sponge Brush, 1 x A4 Clear Cyanotype Holder,1 x A5 Clear Cyanotype Holder. All necessary tools are provided, making it an ideal choice for beginners in artistic creation
- Suitable for Various Materials: Cyanotype can be applied to surfaces such as paper, linen, canvas, watercolor paper, drawing boards, wood, leather, and more, making this classic art form more accessible and usable by the general public
- Simple Operation: 1. Coat: Brush photosensitive solution onto sun print paper. 2. Arrange: After drying, place leaves, petals, or any objects you like on top. 3. Expose: Expose the Cyanotype paper to sunlight. Finally, rinse with clean water, and your blue artwork is instantly born
- Wide Application: The Cyanotype Kit is perfect for photography enthusiasts, lifestyle aesthetes, nature explorers, family bonding activities, creative artists, educators, and anyone interested in hands-on crafts. It offers simple techniques, high tolerance for mistakes, quick results, magical effects, and endless fun
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
