How to NOT BREAK black?

Creating Yarn: Spinning, Dyeing, etc.
1

I have some wool that I dyed black using food coloring. When I did it, it was black. After being heated & dried, the black looks more like brown. I think I accidentally “broke black”.

Anyone familiar with this?

What can I do to get BLACK?

I read somewhere that I should use less vinegar, but I wanted to know if that worked for any of you guys before? I also read that I should buy gray yarn & use that, but I want to try to salvage this mistake.

I want to dye over it, but don’t know what to do to make it work. If it’s not possible, what others colors work when dyeing over brown?

2

When black dye ‘breaks’, it is pinks & blues. With the brown you got, I would first try using more black dye for the amount of wool you are dyeing.

Using food coloring to dye yarns is fun, but when you start to dye a greater quantity you may want to look into actual [B]Acid Dyes[/B]. I’ve found the best prices at http://www.dharmatrading.com/dyes/dyes-for-dyeing-silk-wool-nylon.html?lnav=dyes.html

3

I want to avoid using acid dyes altogether.

That’s why I normally use kool aid or food coloring.

So you think I should just dye it again & just use more black?

4

I want to avoid using acid dyes altogether.

That’s why I normally use kool aid or food coloring.

So you think I should just dye it again & just use more black?

I used the same amount of each color (3 sections, 3 colors). I used liquid for coloring for the black & gel food coloring for the pink & purple. Those 2 colors turned out wonderfully.

If I attempt to dye it again with more black, should I soak the entire thing in vinegar & water again for a few hours or just use the vinegar & water from the dye mix?

5

Why would you want to avoid purchasing acid dyes?? Kool aid & food coloring are just weaker acid dyes. In the long run using acid dyes made for dyeing is less expensive and more true to color.

I’d use a heavier concentration of black food coloring in a vinegar/water mixture.

6

I just tried dyeing it black again, using more dye. I hope it works. I’ll post a photo later.

7

It’s been a while since the specific issue was mentioned but I think that the concern was a pet might get into it. :shrug:

8

9

They are both FD&C coloring … just one is more concentrate.

10

Totally love this!!!

11

So pretty! Is this the broken black?

12

Nope. This is pink, purple, & the black that I dyed over again to make it darker. It turned out pretty nice.