Dyeing for Dummies with Wiltons???

[willowsmama]

I really want to try dyeing but I know nothing. I couldn't pick a circ needle out of a crowd before I started knitting either so I feel there's hope for me yet.

Do I need to wash the eco wool again in baby soap to make sure any oil, lanolin ect is out of it?

What is this pre-wash soak I read about?

Um, anyone have a step by step? I like hand holding for new things.

how can I make sure this doesn't bleed red for the rest of my life?

how can I make sure the pants turn out red and not pink/fuchia?

If I've missed some site post that answers all this just :getu me and post a link please.

[Ruth]

http://woolywonder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=291

there's this thread in the techniques forum which answers most questions :)

[BethyM99]

Pam has great step by step instructions. If you are a "supporting" member, they are in the library. Her instructions are for Kool-aid, but the process is the same for wilton's. Except, use more vinegar. Kool-Aid already has some acid in it, the Wilton's does not so you need more vinegar.

I dyed with Red wilton's once... I think it definitely had a pinkish tone. You can see it in my gallery at www.theknittykitty.com - click on Beth. It's the rainbow colored with the multi color waist band.

As for bleeding, well.... I had pink hands while knitting with it. So I took the whole soaker (once finished) and drowned it in straight vinegar and microwaved it. I think that you can use lots of vinegar, try to make sure it's set, rinse rinse rinse rinse.... but, most likely, it will still bleed some. Maybe one of the professional dyeing mama's will have another tip for that...

Just dive in! If you're scared the first time, try doing it on some Fisherman's or something fairly low investment... have fun with it! I find I do best when I just play with it and not worry about getting a very specific color... then there's less room for disappointment :)

[Susan_WW]

I've found that red is really difficult to get with food grade dyes (such as Kool Aid or Wilton's), but if I recall correctly I think some mamas here have had success.

If you want a true red, I would highly suggest using acid dyes. They are really easy to use. I've found that red will always bleed a little, no matter how well it is heat set and rinsed.

HTH :)

[pmcgary]

I am an anti-red dyer too. I can't get pink to save my soul t hough...I can get lovely shades of coral/peach...etc...all my red stuff has a yellow undertone to it that seems to screw up the color...I don't know what it is either...I have even tried using distilled water thinking it was something in my tap water....

[Susan_WW]

I can't get pink to save my soul though...I can get lovely shades of coral/peach...etc...all my red stuff has a yellow undertone to it that seems to screw up the color...I don't know what it is either...I have even tried using distilled water thinking it was something in my tap water....

Have you tried acid dyes? Jacquard Hot Fuchsia gives a really hot pink (almost neon), not orangey at all. You can also tone it down a bit by adding a little black to it.

[pmcgary]

Oh I gave up long before then...I actually did get a nice pink with the Neon Pink food coloring...
I think for now I will leave the dyeing to someone else....Well except for the Canadian purple KA I got before Christmas....

[ravingcutie]

Reds are very hard dyes to set. I have only acheived red w/ acid dyes. I would go with an acid dye if you don't want to end up with some versions of pink/coral.

The thing to remember is that the food grade dyes tend to bleed a lot more because they're not designed to be fiber dyes. Soaking with straight vinegar won't help the dye set better than a small "glug" in a gallon of water, because the dye should set in a very mild acid solution (under the 4% acidity found in regular vinegar) Heat helps, though.

[meco]

I got this red with Kool Aid, lots of red Kool Aid. I has remained true to color since I knit it 6 or 8 months ago. :pink

http://homepage.mac.com/ecubanyc/Fluff/PhotoAlbum16.html

Here is to hoping!

[pmcgary]

YOu are lucky. What yarn was that? I can't ever get a good red on Lion Brand fisherman's...I gave up. Wiltons wasn't any better...and i think I own every one of their reds...

[mommomrebecca]

I got a beautiful dark red with 8 packets of black cherry kool aid in very little water/vinegar. It has stayed true and never bled either. It was on grey wool.