Acid dyes? and colors not blending?

[twouglyducks]

I need to dye some yarn. I have 2 of the colors in acid dyes (i've never used) and one is food coloring. Can I do it all the same way? Do I use acid dyes like others... mix with warm water and vinegar then put onto yarn and cook? Also, how do I avoid colors running together? Like, I don't think lime and fuschia would blend so well. Ick.

[Susan_WW]

I used the acid dyes according to the jacquard directions on their website. Basically, add the dye to warm tap water, add the yarn, bring to almost boiling, then add 1/4 c vinegar (I usually use more for good measure). Let simmer for 30 min, cover the pot, then let the pot cool. If I'm going for a very intense or dark color, I will usually wring out the cooled yarn, soak it in pure vinegar, and steam set for 30 min, then leave the cover on and let cool.

I know I'm probably overdoing it, but I like to make sure my colors are really set well ;)

[twouglyducks]

Well, I would do that for one color, but I need to do 3 colors on one yarn, so I wasn't sure. Thanks though.

[Susan_WW]

You can still do it. I just hang the yarn over the pot so that 1/3 is in the pot and 2/3 hang over the pot. Then when I steam set, I wrap it in plastic wrap and roll it up so the colors won't get too mixed.