Over-dyeing yarn

How-to Questions
1

Hello.
I just purchased Cascade Eco Merino wool in the Sage color. And now I’m not sure I like the shade after all.
Any suggestions on over-dyeing yarn? I’d like it to be a darker and more vivid green. I’ve never dyed yarn so recommendations of products, techniques, etc., would be welcome
If my yarn store had had the Pine Needle shade, that would have been perfect.
Thanks for any information.
Be safe all.
Mike Graham

2

I was hoping we had some dye experts but maybe a few website references will help. A search of past questions on KH turned up:
http://www.pburch.net/dyeing.shtml

I can’t evaluate these since I haven’t tried dyeing yarn in any way, ever. Good luck with it and maybe test out a length of yarn first before working on a skein.

3

I have actually done this. I can’t remember the brand of dye I used but it was amazing. I bought a merino wool sweater at the goodwill but didn’t like the color, it was an oatmeal color. My friend, who raises sheep and spins, gave me some acid dye to use and the color was INTENSE! It ended up being a saffron yellow.

The method you use is you dissolve this dye in water and heat it to just under boiling then you submerge what you want to dye. You cook it for a certain amount of time and then you add like a tablespoon (?) of vinegar and the dye moves instantly from the water into the garment or yarn. It was like MAGIC. The water was perfectly clear. Acid dying is the way to do with wool.

I asked her what the brand was that I used, there were excellent instructions on the website. I will update with that information when she gets back to me.

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4

The brand of dye is Dharma Trading Co.

On the left is a link for instructions.

Good luck!

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5

Thanks so much for this and your other note. Great help. It is so interesting to read about the vinegar and the dye going into the wool and the water turning clear!
I am a big fan of Cabin Boy Knits who dyes with natural materials and does videos about how he does the processes. His indigo video was fascinating in that it is green dye turning the yarn green but when the yarn is out of the kettle and in contact with the oxygen, it turns blue.

Many thanks. Be safe,

Mike

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6

That indigo dying is amazing. I have a friend who took a class and the color is incredible!

Please check back, I’d love to see how your yarn looks after you’re finished!

7

Greetings.
If I actually do this, I will definitely let you know how it went. There is a chance I might just stick with the sage color as it is.
I’m going to look up the dye you recommend and also check with a friend who routinely dyes wool for needle felting, as well as silk.

And if the yarn remains as it is…sage… and I knit the planned scarf, I check back with a photo of that.

Take care and thanks again.

Peace,

Mike

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