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frenetic@charter.net
Permanent Resident
1386 Posts |
 Posted - 08/30/2007 : 03:49:00 AM
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I read Clara's article about how to dye your own yarn with fascination. I am wondering where one can purchase dyes other than Louet and the yarn also. Can someone recommend sources? I can see another dimension to knitting for some of us now <VBG>. Thanks Clara!
Sharon |
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knittingbuzz
Permanent Resident
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 04:09:41 AM
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| I havn't tried dyeing myself but I have seen both yarn and dye at knitpicks.com |
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frenetic@charter.net
Permanent Resident
1386 Posts |
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Chemcats
Permanent Resident
3337 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 04:18:06 AM
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Kool-Aid dyeing is a hoot! I had a "class" in it and had a blast! It's like finger painting, heehee. And now I have orange and yellow yarn that I am saving for Cabin Fever knitting this winter.
Meribeth |
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hissyknit
Permanent Resident
USA
1349 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 04:18:26 AM
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Wilton icing dye is also non toxic and I've had pretty good results with it. Very bright colors. I'm told though, it's a stain rather than a dye so it might fade.
Christy B.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but sticks and strings excite me."
http://hissyknit.blogspot.com/ |
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marjotse
Permanent Resident
Sweden
1018 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 04:23:48 AM
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www.texere.co.uk is a good source for yarns to dye but they have also some dye kits . At www.getknitted.com you can get undyed trekking sock yarn and I think you can also get Opal sock-yarn for dyeing (can't remember where I have seen it). I only did some kool-aid dyeing with my chidren and it was great fun and would like to do it again if I found the time...
Marjolein |
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Becky in MO
Seriously Hooked
769 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 05:06:09 AM
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| Where is the article on dying your own yarn? |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4364 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 05:09:21 AM
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Becky - if you click on "The Magazine" at the top of the forum page you'll see the rest of KR, including a link to this week's article.
I'm moving this post to the dyeing section - let's keep the discussion rolling!
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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Cheerleader9
Permanent Resident
USA
1563 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 06:23:49 AM
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I now have a greater respect for those who hand dye yarns! Also appreciate the cost of hand dye yarns now. This is not on my list of things to try:-)
Barb in AZ |
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LJ
Permanent Resident
USA
1921 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 06:27:48 AM
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Visions of the cabin at Graves Mtn wrapped in plastic went through my mind when I opened Clara's article. I do need to knit something with my hand dyed....
Such a timely article Clara, we (Ewe Knit Kits) just received a small shipment of Trekking XXL undyed all ready for dyeing. Hmmmm....
Linda in Va
http://wallisknits.blogspot.com
http://www.eweknitkits.com
http://tkgv.blogspot.com |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4364 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 07:25:43 AM
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Oh YUM! Linda, I had no idea they sold Trekking XXL undyed. I'll be there in a few hours! 
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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Bethany
Permanent Resident
USA
1546 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 07:51:02 AM
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If you're in the US or Canada, Knitpicks has both a small selection of Jacquard acid dyes (just add vinegar) as well as the yarn to dye (I've been using the Bare 75% superwash Merino 25% nylon sock yarn). Dharma Trading has a bigger selection of Jacquard dyes as well as some Henry's Attic yarn (though I don't know if they have sock yarn). I've never ordered from them but they're one of the big purveyers of dye on the web.
I've been ordering dyes from Earth Guild (www.earthguild.com). They don't have a shopping cart system, which makes ordering a pain, but they ship quickly and they charge the actual cost for shipping, which means if you're just ordering one packet of dye or something you don't feel dinged on the shipping. They sell Cushings and Lanaset acid dyes, as well as pretty much any chemical or accessory you might want to use: beakers, syringes, squirt bottles, you name it.
Another place to buy some brands of dye (including Lanaset, WashFast, and One Shot)is directly from the manufacturer, Pro Chemical and Dye (www.prochemical.com). They also sell great color cards of their dyes, which contain actual dyed samples of yarn, not just photos or scans. You can also buy a huge assortment of auxilary chemicals, equipment, and books from them.
Pro Chemical sells starter kits of their Washfast acid dyes that come in a variety of color assortments, include auxilary chemicals, and are MUCH cheaper than the kit Clara reviewed (although they don't include the yarn -- but they do include larger quantities of dye). Hidden in the "Books" section are dye assortments to go with the books Dying to Knit and Color in Spinning, which use their products (I have the latter set -- I bought the book from Amazon and the kit from Pro Chemical). Even if you don't have the books, this is a way to get an assortment of colors to play in small quantities for a reasonable price. My experience ordering from them was good, with quick shipping.
Pro Chemicals One Shot dyes are all-in-one, no-added-chemicals dyes like the ones in Clara's review, although the only chemical you really *need* to add even to the normal dyes are white vinegar, which isn't hard. (If the dye isn't striking, add more. If they dye struck too fast, you added too much, but that's one way to get semi-solid yarn...)
A few more notes: remember, you can also dye semisolids with only one color of dye: either by hand-painting it with different concentrations of the dye, or by immersion dyeing with too much acid and/or too little water. (Ask me how often I've done this when I didn't mean to...) Also, you don't necessarily need a second microwave to steam the handpainted yarn: you can also steam the yarn packet on the stove in a large pot (with either a real steamer rack or one improvised out of mason jars, etc.) Buying a big dying-only stainless steel stock pot is probably cheaper than buying a dying-only microwave -- I think I got mine at K-mart for $20 -- and you can also use the pot for immersion dying. :-)
Despite how much I've been talking, I'm really just a beginning dyer, so take this advice as coming from one beginner to another. :-)
BTW, Clara, I really love your yarn. $50 for a kit is WAY too rich for my blood, but I'm tempted to try dying a blue/silver handpaint (or maybe self-striping) with the dyes I have. :-) |
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MelodyMck
New Pal
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 08:45:07 AM
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Someone already mentioned it, but I want to emphasize that Dharma Trading Company is a super source for all types of dyes and supplies, they even carry some yarn now. Tons of helpful instructions for all sorts of methods, super fast shipping. No, I don't work for them, but have used them for years (like about 20+, all the way back to when I was selling tie dye baby t-shirts at art fairs!).
Another fun thing to try, look up crock pot dyeing on the web - you will get a semisolid with this method even if you only use one color. Fun to do, and you can usually find a crockpot at the thrift stores for about $5 so you aren't using your kitchen equipment.
Melody
www.Freshwaterfibers.com |
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frenetic@charter.net
Permanent Resident
1386 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 09:27:25 AM
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This is all very confusing for a newbie. Are there some good books on the subject, or can I get all the information I need on the internet?
Sharon |
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JLWinPA
New Pal
USA
6 Posts |
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srex@shockware.com
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 10:05:48 AM
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I was sorry to hear that Trudy did not include dye safety in her Louet dye kits. Kudos to Clara for covering that issue. I would like to add, please use a dust mask. Although Gaywool Dyes are granular, there is dye powder involved and that is dangerous to inhale. Also, placing wet papertowels or newsprint under you mixing containers will help catch any drifting dye particles.
Microwave dyeing: Unless you microwave is old or very weak, do not heat on high, rather 50 - 60% power. Heat for short periods of time until the package is too hot to handle. Let it sit until it starts to cool and then process for another short period of time. What you are trying to do is keep the fiber hot for 45 - 60 minutes. It must then cool completely to allow the dye process to finish properly. Do not rinse in hot water as this can draw the dye from the fiber, tepid water will work just as well.
Try using koolaid or food coloring to start. If dyeing is something you want to pursue, then invest in more economical, more lightfast and washfast dyes. There are several brand names on the market although most of them are similar in characteristics. Most spinning/weaving shops carry some type of dyes, and there are many shops spread throughout Canada and the US. Major dye suppliers in the US: PRO Chemical and Dye or Dharma Trading. In Canada: G&S Dyes or Maiwa Handprints.
Su - author: Dyeing Wool & Other Protein Fibers: An Introduction to Weak Acid Dyes |
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frenetic@charter.net
Permanent Resident
1386 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 10:06:45 AM
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I was under the impression that Kool-Aid is a stain and not a dye, so over time, it fades until the color disappears. Is this true?
Sharon |
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Bethany
Permanent Resident
USA
1546 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 10:37:21 AM
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No, both Kool-aid and food coloring are acid dyes, the same chemical type of dye as Jacquard and Lanaset and suchlike. They're just an especially non-toxic kind of acid dye that is therefore approved for use in food. They're (apparently) not as light-fast and wash-fast as acid dyes intended for textiles rather than sugary beverages, but they're a true dye and not a stain.
I'm not an expert, but I'm honestly not sure that standard textile acid dyes are as scary as people make them out to be. I once blithely ignored the "do not pipette by mouth" warning when working with some turquoise dye, figuring, "I can keep it from getting in my mouth." After getting it in my mouth, I looked up the MSDS and it's really not that alarming. I mean, you don't want to DRINK the stuff (presumably why it's not used in Kool Aid) but it's not like working with rat poison or anything like that. The advice on the MSDS in the event of ingestion basically says, "No harmful effects are expected, drink a glass of water and call the doctor if it makes you sick to your stomach."
Remember, "not food-safe" doesn't mean "poison." I think standard acid dyes sold to crafters are actually pretty much non-toxic, as least as long as you don't start snarfing down jars of the dye powder -- they're just not approved for use in food. I suspect that the problem for use in food is actually that they're mild carcinogens rather than that they're toxic per se.
I use a mask and gloves and don't use food pots for dying, but honestly I think many crafters work with a LOT worse stuff all the time (most notably adhesives) without a second thought.
(Even if getting turquoise dye in your mouth won't kill you, it tastes HORRIBLE and makes your tounge look like you just ate your weight in turquoise cotton candy, so I don't advise it.)
Remember even with Kool Aid you don't want to inhale the powder -- wear a mask.
Note that I'm not a chemist, nor do I play one on TV -- but those MSDS look pretty benign to me (not that much different than the ones for the dyes used in Kool Aid, actually.) |
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frenetic@charter.net
Permanent Resident
1386 Posts |
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LJ
Permanent Resident
USA
1921 Posts |
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stjamesb
Chatty Knitter
USA
160 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2007 : 2:49:25 PM
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Thanks to Clara for a timely article. I've been thinking about dying yarn for the past week and lo and behold what did I find in the mail box this morning? Thanks.
I've done Kool aid cying and ready to move beyond that. Although as one of the posters stated that the other non-food dyes are not as toxic as one might believe, having kids in the house, I really don't want to take any chance. My question is beyond Kool aid and Wilton food dyes, what are other dyes that not so toxic? I've read about different dyes but no where I can find pros and cons of different dyes. Can someone shed some lights on this?
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Clara's Article--Dyeing Your Own Yarn
