Need answers about dying wool

How-to Questions
1

I am almost finished knitting a wool shawl. I have read about dying yarn prior to use with kool-aid or cake decorating color, but not dying the finished item. Has anyone here dyed a finished garment as large as a shawl after knitting? If done this way, wil the color be balanced throughout or mottled?

The shawl is made from natural wool. It isn’t an ugly color, but I’m thinking I might enjoy it more if it was colored.

Also, if I decide that I want it a lighter natural shade instead of a dyed color, how do I go about lightening the color. I know bleach can not be used becasue it will eat up/melt the fiber.

Any help is appreciated.

2

I’ve dyed knitted sweaters and socks both. The key to keeping it from getting mottled is to move the garment in the dye bath. If it’s non-superwash wool do it very gently as you don’t want to start the fulling process. Also put the garment into the dye bath before adding the vinegar to the dye bath. That helps keep the dye from striking too fast.

I think slightly uneven dye jobs add depth and interest the finished fabric, but that’s my opinion.

3

[I][U]If it’s non-superwash wool do it very gently as you don’t want to start the fulling process. [/U][/I]

What would be the harm in this?

4

felting (or fulling, as it is more properly called) compacts the wool (shrinkage!) and with lace will probably close up some of the holes.

If dyeing a completed garment you want enough liquid to allow the fluid to circulate well, not just cover the item.

5

Thanks, to both of you. I understand the comment, but I realize now that when I first read it, I was thinking about the (bloom) you get with some yarns. Two totally different things.