Instructions to Dye one pound of fiber with Acid Dyes
Fibers or yarn
should be washed before dyeing to remove oil, dirt, or sizings. You may
dye over any already existing colors.
Put 1/4 oz. of dye powder into a cup and add tiny amount of water
to make a paste. Add more warm water to dissolve. Add less dye for pale
shades.
Put 2.5 gallons of
lukewarm water into dyepot. Put in the dissolved dye (from Step 1) and
stir to distrbute.
Put in clean, wet
yarn, fiber or fabic and stir gently. Leave soaking to 10 minutes with
no heat added. Then gradually heat the dyepot for 10 minutes or so to
about 120 degrees F. Gently poke the yarns to help the dye penetrate
evenly.
Set dye by adding 2
cups of white vinegar (if dyeing 1/2 pounds of yarn, add 1 cup of
vinegar). Stir gently first 5 minutes or so after adding vinegar, then
every 4-5 minutes. It should take 30 minutes or so for the dye water to
reach a full simmer. (190-212 degrees). Hold at this temperature and
stir gently and occasionally for thirty minutes or so until desired
color is reached or until water is almost clear. NOTE: It does not harm
wool to boil as long as it is not temperature " shocked" by changing
from hot to cold too suddenly.
Remove
yarns from pot and rinse in hot water. Wash in warm, soapy water and
rinse. Squeeze yarns in towel or spin in washing machine ( don't let
spray hit them). These dyes do not stain sinks or pots.
WARNINGS:
• Use enamel or
stainless dye pots. DO NOT USE aluminum or galvanized. Do not use this
pot for food.
• DO NOT immerse
arms or hands in dye. Do not take internally. Avoid breathing dye
powder.
