How to Dye Wool. (Hi! I know what I'm doing!)

* Before beginning any dyeing, please remember that I am in no way authorized to teach anyone how to mix colors and I once dyed my entire white kitchen counter red. But it was an apartment and I don't live there anymore.

1. You will need something to dye. I dye wool. Wool is fun and it can take high temperatures, so I don't really concern myself when the water boils. You can dye yarn or fiber that hasn't made it that far yet.

2. You will need dyes. I use acid dyes. I've tried a few different brands, and I can say that I really hate Gaywool dyes and Jacquard dyes are nice, but expensive. Now I get my dye at ProChem. I buy the washfast, lightfast acid dyes.

3. You will also need acid to activate the dyes and make them stay on the wool. Vinegar works very well, but it's also smelly when you cook it. I use citric acid, available by the pound (pretty cheap, too) from ProChem. Trust me, it's worth it.

4. The last thing you need are dyeing utensils, namely things you will never use again for any other purpose, especially eating. I have a big stock pot from Big Lots, a few pairs of rubber gloves, old jars (from salsa, pickles, etc.), a crock pot, measuring spoons, a funnel and some plastic spoons. Plastic wrap is also a must.

You will also need a dyeing space:


Mine is particularly...basementy. Notice I have a washtub and a big slab of wood on which to dye. A washtub is not necessary, but if you have a white kitchen sink, friend, you will be in trouble. (The dye does nothing to stainless steel or whatever shiny kitchen sinks are made of.)


I have a lot of soap.

On to the dyeing table. For awhile, I used my kitchen. It worked. I had to be really careful, and I'm not a careful person. Luckily, Bon Ami will remove ANY AND ALL dye stains you have. I would bet my life on it. It is $0.79 and if you don't have it in your part of the country, I will send it to you.

When we moved to the new house, I didn't want to jack up the kitchen (not in front of Justin, at least), so to the basement I went. My dye table wasn't built, so I used a piece of cardboard on the floor. Whatever works.

Here's my new table:



My dad designed it and Justin built it. I think it's all 2x4s and an old door. It's perfect.

5. (Step five and really all we've done is buy things. Good for us!) Prepare your fiber. Get a bucket of water - I use cold - and put in a little Synthropol (if you don't have Synthropol, that's fine - water works just fine on its own). Let it sit there for at least 20 minutes.



6. This is a good time to mix your dye stocks. We're going to have to do that tomorrow, because I have labels to put on wedding invitations.

posted by Kristin @ 3:26 PM