Dyeing Silk Yarn

I have been experimenting with dyeing yarns, and up until today it was
going really well! I have been dyeing wool and merino yarns with acid
dyes, and they have taken the dyes really well (I use a crockpot). But
today I tried dyeing some silk yarn, using the same dye and method, and
although it looked fine in the pot, once I started rinsing it, the
majority of the dye came out (and went all over my hands, but that's
another matter). Instead of having richly dyed yarn I have pastel yarn,
which is nice but not what I wanted (and what a waste of dye, washing
down the drain).

Now the process I followed was exactly the same, and silk is a protine
fibre the same as wool, so what went wrong? I used vinegar, pre and
post dyeing. I didnt use Glaubers salts or any other mordant, and I
suspect that might be the problem, but it didnt seem to matter when
dyeing the wool yarn. They exhausted the dye bath every time, but this
yarn didnt. Any ideas or tips?

--
Trudie

I haven't tried silk yarn, but have dyed silk ribbon and embroidery floss.
I've also taken a couple of dying classes, one specifically for silk. Don't
ask me why, but both instructors used dyes intended for cellulose fibers
(yes, I know silk isn't a plant fiber, but it works!). The brand I use is
Cushing's Perfection Direct Dye.

Also, you need to heat set this dye. I wrap the floss/ribbon in plastic
wrap & set in a steamer for 10 minutes. I do have a little bleeding of
excess dye, but the color stays pretty true.

Hope that helps :-)
Jacqueline in Carmichaels PA



"cariadai" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have been experimenting with dyeing yarns, and up until today it was
going really well! I have been dyeing wool and merino yarns with acid
dyes, and they have taken the dyes really well (I use a crockpot). But
today I tried dyeing some silk yarn, using the same dye and method, and
although it looked fine in the pot, once I started rinsing it, the
majority of the dye came out (and went all over my hands, but that's
another matter). Instead of having richly dyed yarn I have pastel yarn,
which is nice but not what I wanted (and what a waste of dye, washing
down the drain).

Now the process I followed was exactly the same, and silk is a protine
fibre the same as wool, so what went wrong? I used vinegar, pre and
post dyeing. I didnt use Glaubers salts or any other mordant, and I
suspect that might be the problem, but it didnt seem to matter when
dyeing the wool yarn. They exhausted the dye bath every time, but this
yarn didnt. Any ideas or tips?

--
Trudie

In article .com,
"cariadai" wrote:

I have been experimenting with dyeing yarns, and up until today it was
going really well! I have been dyeing wool and merino yarns with acid
dyes, and they have taken the dyes really well (I use a crockpot). But
today I tried dyeing some silk yarn, using the same dye and method, and
although it looked fine in the pot, once I started rinsing it, the
majority of the dye came out (and went all over my hands, but that's
another matter). Instead of having richly dyed yarn I have pastel yarn,
which is nice but not what I wanted (and what a waste of dye, washing
down the drain).

Now the process I followed was exactly the same, and silk is a protine
fibre the same as wool, so what went wrong? I used vinegar, pre and
post dyeing. I didnt use Glaubers salts or any other mordant, and I
suspect that might be the problem, but it didnt seem to matter when
dyeing the wool yarn. They exhausted the dye bath every time, but this
yarn didnt. Any ideas or tips?

--
Trudie

Hello Trudie, silk is usually easy to dye. First rule: did you wash your
silk well. If the silk still has some gummy stuff left over from the
spinning process (the worms spinning that is), you can get rid of it by
adding a couple of tablespoons of cream of tartar to your washing water.
Re read you dyeing instructions well, reading them out loud to your
husband, mother or friend might help. Now try again. You should really
not have any problems. Dyed silk should have rich and lovely colours,

Good luck,

Els

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