KoolAid dye question...

"Agres" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the information on dye pots.

But, a 55 gallon dye pot? That sort of changes knitting from nice clean
craft that I can do in one corner of the living room, into an industrial
enterprise. It really offers a new perspective on how hard traditional
spinners\knitters\weavers worked (or still work for that matter.) There
was
a lot of love in those navy blue fisherman's sweaters!

Oh, well! I really like the the colors that I got from my first efforts
at
dying. And, more to the point, my wife thinks my home dyed materials are
some of the most beautiful yarns / knit fabrics that she has ever seen.

We have sort of a Tuscan theme to our landscaping, and we always have
extra
fire wood. Maybe, we need a BIG old bronze kettle, there in the corner
of
the yard by the fountain? That would give the neighbors something to
think
about.

Aaron


Splutter!!!
Two recurring thoughts going through my head now:
1. "boil, boil, toil and trouble....."
2. cannibalism.
LOL,
Noreen

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In article , "Agres"
wrote:

Thanks for the information on dye pots.

But, a 55 gallon dye pot? That sort of changes knitting from nice clean
craft that I can do in one corner of the living room, into an industrial
enterprise. It really offers a new perspective on how hard traditional
spinners\knitters\weavers worked (or still work for that matter.) There was
a lot of love in those navy blue fisherman's sweaters!

Oh, well! I really like the the colors that I got from my first efforts at
dying. And, more to the point, my wife thinks my home dyed materials are
some of the most beautiful yarns / knit fabrics that she has ever seen.

We have sort of a Tuscan theme to our landscaping, and we always have extra
fire wood. Maybe, we need a BIG old bronze kettle, there in the corner of
the yard by the fountain? That would give the neighbors something to think
about.

Aaron


Aaron, I once saw a great cast iron pot. It was so large you could sit in
it for a nice hot bath (I am waiting for the comments here...LOL) This
was in Toronto on Spadina Avenue. Forgotten the name of that old kitchen
supply store. I had just learned to spin, and my friend and I were all
ready to buy the pot. One there was no way we could lift the darn thing
and two....which is really number one it was incredibly expensive. But
what a neat pot it was. Also when you dye in a copper or castirong pan
you get instand mortdanting as well.

I use the good old blue enamel caning pots. They are roomy enough and
easy to handle. My most reacent (spelling) find is an old crock pot. It
will hold only one big skein or two little ones, but it works very well
because you can hold the temp nice and steady and walk away from it.

Els

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I have added a trap for spammers......niet.....

I'm not Monica, but here goes...

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 19:32:01 -0700, "Myka KS"
wrote:

Even though I'm not really *in* this conversation (since I haven't learned
how to spin yet and am not ready to think about dyeing), I really found your
suggestions interesting, Monica. A few questions, though:

1) It sounded like you have a separate microwave just for dyeing. Is that
necessary?

Use of food colors, Easter Egg pills (food color in dry, concentrated
form), or Koolaid doesn't require a separate microwave or separate
dyeing containers. These are all food-grade dyes and won't harm you
(well, I have doubts about the reds, but that is a different
conversation). Commercial textile dyes contain all sorts of chemicals
and heavy metals that you don't want near your food.

So yes, a separate microwave for use with COMMERCIAL textile dyes and
separate tools and containers for same is indeed necessary.


2) You talked about dipping skeins in the dye, letting them soak for 2-3
minutes and then zapping them in the microwave (as opposed to zapping them
in the dye solution). You suggested using a plastic bowl designated for
dyeing or heavy-duty plastic wrap. Would a Ziploc bag (or any resealable
plastic bag) work just as well?

This is generally called dip-dyeing. For example, one can hang a
skein of yarn from a string over an upper cabinet handle and let the
end soak in a bowl of dye solution. Squeeze out the excess, turn the
skein, put a fresh section of yarn in a new color. Repeat as
needed/desired, then wrap the whole thing in plastic and steam or nuke
for about 8 minutes total (my 1200w microwave). You *can* use a
zipper bag, but I've had one too many blow up so I now use plastic
wrap. I also use those big disposable plastic containers (the ones
that say GLAD or ZIPLOC) on 'em) for soaking/nuking wool or yarn in a
dyebath.

You can ALSO wind the skein as large or small as you like, soak it in
clear water, squeeze, and spread it out on plastic. Add dye, wrap or
roll up, and nuke or steam.


3) How long do they need to be zapped? Did you say half the normal time?
What is the normal time?

6-8 minutes seems to be usual. If you do as Monica suggests and turn
or stir the fiber/yarn after half the time, you should really add a
minute or so to the second nuking session. Most textile dyes are
heat-set, which means that the dye won't be permanent until the
processing container has reached some certain temperature. There are
exceptions, but better to be safe than sorry.


Thanks again for all the great suggestions. I will save your post and it
will give me something to look forward to when I start spinning my own
yarns!

Why wait until you start spinning? You can find plenty of white wool
yarn to play with...


Blessings,
Myka

Even though I'm not really *in* this conversation (since I haven't learned
how to spin yet and am not ready to think about dyeing), I really found your
suggestions interesting, Monica. A few questions, though:

1) It sounded like you have a separate microwave just for dyeing. Is that
necessary?

2) You talked about dipping skeins in the dye, letting them soak for 2-3
minutes and then zapping them in the microwave (as opposed to zapping them
in the dye solution). You suggested using a plastic bowl designated for
dyeing or heavy-duty plastic wrap. Would a Ziploc bag (or any resealable
plastic bag) work just as well?

3) How long do they need to be zapped? Did you say half the normal time?
What is the normal time?

Thanks again for all the great suggestions. I will save your post and it
will give me something to look forward to when I start spinning my own
yarns!

Blessings,
Myka

--
Spam trap hint: contact me at the acronym
JustUnderNineOlives = juno

Many plastics are not microwavable and stain easily
(actually holding dye color embedded which can come out
again in subsequent product). I would think that pyrex
(tempered) glass would be preferred.



"Myka KS" wrote in message
...
Even though I'm not really *in* this conversation (since I
haven't learned
how to spin yet and am not ready to think about dyeing), I
really found your
suggestions interesting, Monica. A few questions, though:

1) It sounded like you have a separate microwave just for
dyeing. Is that
necessary?

2) You talked about dipping skeins in the dye, letting
them soak for 2-3
minutes and then zapping them in the microwave (as opposed
to zapping them
in the dye solution). You suggested using a plastic bowl
designated for
dyeing or heavy-duty plastic wrap. Would a Ziploc bag (or
any resealable
plastic bag) work just as well?

3) How long do they need to be zapped? Did you say half
the normal time?
What is the normal time?

Thanks again for all the great suggestions. I will save
your post and it
will give me something to look forward to when I start
spinning my own
yarns!

Blessings,
Myka

--
Spam trap hint: contact me at the acronym
JustUnderNineOlives = juno




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10/10/03

"SlinkyToy" wrote in message
...
I'm not Monica, but here goes...

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 19:32:01 -0700, "Myka KS"
wrote:

[snip]

This is generally called dip-dyeing. For example, one can
hang a
skein of yarn from a string over an upper cabinet handle
and let the
end soak in a bowl of dye solution. Squeeze out the
excess, turn the
skein, put a fresh section of yarn in a new color. Repeat
as
needed/desired, then wrap the whole thing in plastic and
steam or nuke
for about 8 minutes total (my 1200w microwave). You *can*
use a
zipper bag, but I've had one too many blow up so I now use
plastic
wrap. I also use those big disposable plastic containers
(the ones
that say GLAD or ZIPLOC) on 'em) for soaking/nuking wool
or yarn in a
dyebath.


They melt in my microwave


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Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.525 / Virus Database: 322 - Release Date:
10/10/03

wrote:

One there was no way we could lift the darn thing
and two....which is really number one it was incredibly expensive. But
what a neat pot it was.

Reminds me of one of the funniest foot-in-mouth sayings I ever heard -- at a
crowded party, a man with a rather large belly was standing next to the
fireplace, by which was also a lovely large pottery bowl or vase. A woman
walked in and said to the hostess, while apparently looking straight at the
portly gentleman, "Ellen, what a magNIficent POT!"

--Helen

Yarn for dyeing does not even have to be really white - the yarns that I
dyed and my wife likes so much started as two ply yarns with one ply of
natual black and one ply natural oatmeal colored. When knit, the overall
effect was a boring gray. After dying, the final color was one ply plum
colored and one ply deep blue-black and the overall effect when knit is a
nice "blackberry".

I got the yarn on clearance and it was very inexpensive.
Aaron

"SlinkyToy" wrote in message
...
I'm not Monica, but here goes...

On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 19:32:01 -0700, "Myka KS"
wrote:

Even though I'm not really *in* this conversation (since I haven't
learned
how to spin yet and am not ready to think about dyeing), I really found
your
suggestions interesting, Monica. A few questions, though:

1) It sounded like you have a separate microwave just for dyeing. Is
that
necessary?

Use of food colors, Easter Egg pills (food color in dry, concentrated
form), or Koolaid doesn't require a separate microwave or separate
dyeing containers. These are all food-grade dyes and won't harm you
(well, I have doubts about the reds, but that is a different
conversation). Commercial textile dyes contain all sorts of chemicals
and heavy metals that you don't want near your food.

So yes, a separate microwave for use with COMMERCIAL textile dyes and
separate tools and containers for same is indeed necessary.


2) You talked about dipping skeins in the dye, letting them soak for 2-3
minutes and then zapping them in the microwave (as opposed to zapping
them
in the dye solution). You suggested using a plastic bowl designated for
dyeing or heavy-duty plastic wrap. Would a Ziploc bag (or any resealable
plastic bag) work just as well?

This is generally called dip-dyeing. For example, one can hang a
skein of yarn from a string over an upper cabinet handle and let the
end soak in a bowl of dye solution. Squeeze out the excess, turn the
skein, put a fresh section of yarn in a new color. Repeat as
needed/desired, then wrap the whole thing in plastic and steam or nuke
for about 8 minutes total (my 1200w microwave). You *can* use a
zipper bag, but I've had one too many blow up so I now use plastic
wrap. I also use those big disposable plastic containers (the ones
that say GLAD or ZIPLOC) on 'em) for soaking/nuking wool or yarn in a
dyebath.

You can ALSO wind the skein as large or small as you like, soak it in
clear water, squeeze, and spread it out on plastic. Add dye, wrap or
roll up, and nuke or steam.


3) How long do they need to be zapped? Did you say half the normal time?
What is the normal time?

6-8 minutes seems to be usual. If you do as Monica suggests and turn
or stir the fiber/yarn after half the time, you should really add a
minute or so to the second nuking session. Most textile dyes are
heat-set, which means that the dye won't be permanent until the
processing container has reached some certain temperature. There are
exceptions, but better to be safe than sorry.


Thanks again for all the great suggestions. I will save your post and it
will give me something to look forward to when I start spinning my own
yarns!

Why wait until you start spinning? You can find plenty of white wool
yarn to play with...


Blessings,
Myka

In article ,
(H Schinske) wrote:

wrote:

One there was no way we could lift the darn thing
and two....which is really number one it was incredibly expensive. But
what a neat pot it was.

Reminds me of one of the funniest foot-in-mouth sayings I ever heard -- at a
crowded party, a man with a rather large belly was standing next to the
fireplace, by which was also a lovely large pottery bowl or vase. A woman
walked in and said to the hostess, while apparently looking straight at the
portly gentleman, "Ellen, what a magNIficent POT!"

--Helen

Love that Pot story.....of course with the word "pot" you can get all
kinds of smiles right.....

--
I have added a trap for spammers......niet.....

In article , "Agres"
wrote:

Yarn for dyeing does not even have to be really white - the yarns that I
dyed and my wife likes so much started as two ply yarns with one ply of
natual black and one ply natural oatmeal colored. When knit, the overall
effect was a boring gray. After dying, the final color was one ply plum
colored and one ply deep blue-black and the overall effect when knit is a
nice "blackberry".

I got the yarn on clearance and it was very inexpensive.
Aaron

Hi Aaron, it gets fun when you go off the beaten track and do your own
thing......

Els

--
I have added a trap for spammers......niet.....