I am using gaywool dyes, and cushings dyes, and have a couple questions about the relation between the two. Gaywool seems to have crystals of what I am guessing are citric acid (or some other form of acid). With the cushings there is just the light powder (remind me to get a dust mask!), so I am guessing that that is the reason that you need to use vinegar with it.
Am I close to right?
Also, a weird thing, but I am keeping my dye stock in mason jars. When I swirl the jar with cushings dye in it, it sticks to the glass. When I swirl the jar with Gaywool in it, it doesn’t. Is there a chemical reason for this?
What are your experiences with dying? Anything I should avoid?
I finally set up my little dying corner in the garage, so I am going to go at it full force this weekend. I’ve just recently become enthralled with the chemical aspects of all of this, so please forgive my dorky questions.
I guess it never occured to me to try to dye yarn with regular dye!!! :doh: I have tons of directions for koolaid, food coloring, jello, etc, but I never even thought to look into real dyes; Is that how Amy did her needles?
I love that yarn with the Pink Lemonade Kool-Aid… I wouldn’t be able to try it though since you can’t get it here in Canada. My Pink Lemonade Kool-aid stash is more precious than most of my yarns! :roflhard: :roflhard: :roflhard:
Dye stocks are when you take the powdered (or crystalized) dye and put it into about a cup of hot water. You swish it around in there to dissolve the dye, and you have “dye stock”. You can mix the dye stocks together and experiment, and it makes for more even distribution of dye in the pot.
I love your hand dyed yarns! I actually was reading about space dying last night, and am really interested in that. I need to take a color theory class, though, because I am HORRIBLE at mixing. (which is why the majority of my wardrobe is jeans and t-shirts. Can’t screw that up. :lol:)
I’ve done the kool-aid stuff, and probably will do more, but i’m wanting to get a bit more professional about my work, and I always worry about someone buying my koolaid yarn, knitting it up, washing it, and having it fade alot. :shock:
What I learned (and don’t quote me on that…hehhe), is that Kool-Aid is actually very acid, making it natually colorfast…
This yarn I dyed with Kool-Aid went to the washing machine (in order to felt) and mantained it’s color (ALL yarns fade a weeeee bit when felted). I don’t think any hand wasing can get rougher than the “felting” process… :lol:
I’ll ask from friend who makes soakers from hand dyed yarn (including Kool-Aid) that should be the ultimate test! :rofling:
Also, I’m a sissy when it comes to professional dyes… hehehe…
Edited because, obviously, I can’t spell anymore… :rollseyes:
I see all these lovely dyed yarns, but have no idea how they do them like that!
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