If you do not have your own animals to shear or do not want to spin your own wool but you want to try your hand at dying your own custom color skeins of yarn, there are ready-to-dye options available for fabric artists. These instructions can be adapted to be used in other dye projects as well.
The dye process is relatively simple and can be considered to be much like cooking. You will need plastic buckets a stainless steel stock pot, plastic trash bags or plastic drop cloths used for painting, plastic gloves, safety glasses and a face mask are also suggested for your safety when handling fabric dye. The dyes recommended are not "Rit" home dye kits these are professional and permanent fabric dye.
Remember that wool cannot be dyed using the same method as cotton, wool and other animal fibers like alpaca or mohair need heat to open the fiber so that the dye can properly penetrate it.
Tub dye single
color method:
The following recipe is per 1 pound of dry weight of wool or silk.
1. Place 1 to 5 teaspoons of dye (depending on the shade desired) into a one-quart Pyrex measuring cup, add a small amount of cold water and work into a smooth paste with a stainless steel or plastic spoon. Add 1 cup of water at 140 degrees F to this dye paste. Stir well to dissolve all the dye and pour into the dyebath container (should be stainless steel, glass, or enamel, not aluminum or copper).
2. Dissolve 3 to 9 tablespoons of plain salt (depending on the intensity desired) in 2 cups of warm water and add to the dyebath. Add the fabric . Add enough water to cover the material plus a little extra to allow the yarn or fabric to move freely in the dyebath.
3. Place the dyebath container on the stove and heat gradually to a simmer (just below boiling) and hold there for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add 2/3 cup white vinegar and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat, rinse in hot tapwater and wash with Synthrapol. Rinse until free of dye, gradually lowering the temperature of the rinse water to that of the room. Remember that sudden changes in temperature can damage the wool and cause it to felt up. Heat and cool slowly.
Cotton or silk tub dye instructions can be found at http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/vat_dye.html.
multi-color cotton or silk based yarn:
Materials:
Dyeable cotton or silk yarn in hank form, loosely tied in at least 4 places
Fiber Reactive Procion dyes (you may want to use a variety of colors in the same hues like teal, lilac, blue and violet)
Urea (This is not necessary.)
Soda Ash Fixer
Foam Brushes - one for each color
Synthrapol soap
1. Soak cotton yarn in hank form (not in pre-wound ball form) in 1 teaspoon Synthrapol and enough water to cover hanks with room for the cotton to absorb the water. Let sit for about 1 hour or until the yarn is thoroughly wet. Check whole skein to make sure all of it has become wet (some fibers are difficult to completely wet out).
2. Remove yarn from soak water and squeeze out some of the moisture.
3. Mix about 1/2 cup Soda Ash Fixer with about a half gallon of water, making sure to dissolve the soda ash first. Add the skein of cotton yarn and soak for about 5 minutes while you are mixing up your dye colors.
4. Into 4 separate cups place 1 teaspoon of each color dye and mixing with just a small amount of water, make into a paste. Add about 1 cup of chemical water (3/4 cup Urea dissolved in 1 quart hot water) to the paste. Mix thoroughly. Add about 1 cup of the chemical water to each color.
5. Remove yarn from Soda Ash soak, wring gently and place on a plastic covered surface, laying out hank in a long row.
6. Starting with one color begin to paint on the dye at one end of the skein. Continue with each color until you have painted the entire side of the skein.
7. Carefully turn the skein over so you can paint the other side in the same order of colors you've used on the first side. Now check inside skein for any undyed areas and add dye if needed.
8. Cover the skein with a plastic sheet and let sit overnight or about 24 hours.
9. Uncover and rinse skein in 1/2 teaspoon Synthrapol and water until water runs clear, being careful not to tangle the skein unnecessarily.
10. Wring out excess water and allow to air dry.
Where to purchase dyes and materials:
One of the most popular places to purchase ready to dye materials and dye online is Dharma Trading Co. www.dharmatrading.com, they have a wide variety of products and you can also order a free catalog from them as well.
The Wool Peddler http://www.recycledsilk.com/undyed.html carries silk, alpaca, wool and mohair.
Paradise Fibers has a wide variety of products including spinning supplies and dye http://www.paradisefibers.net
You might also try Hobby Lobby or other art stores such as Michael's but they may not carry everything you need nor be as specific as online resources may be.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Staff writer Tammie McClure has a background in fabric dying. She can be reached at tammie.mcclure@thecabin.net. Many instructions were adpated from those found online and from various sources as well as personal experience.)
