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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 |
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#2
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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 |
#3
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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 -- hate spam not welcome |
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