Mordants
Mordants are chemicals that bind the colour to the fibre and help resist fading. When experimenting with small amounts - up to 225 g (8 oz.) - at a dye party, its easier to mordant and dye at the same time using a one pot recipe.
If you want large amounts of yarn ready to dye throughout the growing season, you can mordant your yarn in advance so you are ready to dye at a moments notice. Dissolve the mordant in a large pot of water, simmer pre-wetted yarn for an hour, and leave it to cool in the pot overnight. Label the dry skeins so you dont forget what mordant you used. For dyeing cotton, you must also add tannic acid. See Further Reading for sources of information on using different mordants and for recipes for dyeing cotton and other cellulose fibres.
Safety
To make sure your dye party is relaxing and accident free, pay careful attention to safety. Most dyestuffs are as safe as common cleaning supplies; however, a few dyestuffs such as rhubarb leaves, and mordants such as chrome can be toxic. I do not recommend using these for home dye projects or parties.
- Make sure everyone wears rubber gloves. Even with food dyes, the yarn gets hot!
- When working with hot liquids, wear safety goggles and be careful not to splash.
- When working with powdered dyes and mordants, wear a mask and work in an area with no breeze so you wont inhale any of the powders.
- Make sure your workspace has good ventilation. Work outside if you can, so everyone has room to move around freely and look at all of the different pots.
- Use separate pots and tools for dye projects. Never use those you use for preparing food.
- When youre finished with a dyepot, dispose of the used dyebaths and chemicals according to local regulations.
- Store any unused chemicals safely out of the reach of children and pets.
Most dyes can be used safely with a little common sense and care. Check with your supplier about the safety of any dye or mordant that is unfamiliar, and always read dye recipes and instructions that come with purchased dyes or mordants to check for special safety warnings. If you should get any powders or liquids in your eyes, or if you think you might be having an allergic reaction, wash immediately with water and contact your physician. Bring the instructions from the dye package to your doctor.
Supplies and Workspace
Although you may already have many of these supplies in your kitchen cupboards, resist the urge to use the same pots and utensils you use to prepare food. You should be able to find all of the tools you need for dyeing at your local discount or hardware store.
- A pot large enough to hold 15-20 litres (4-5 gallons) of water. You will also need a lid for the pot.
- A large bucket or tub for soaking and rinsing yarn.
- A small bottle for mixing mordants or powdered dyes. An old plastic water or milk bottle will work fine.
- A scale for measuring dyestuffs. A kitchen scale will work, but the more precise the scale is, the more control you will have over the resulting colors.
- Measuring and mixing spoons.
- A candy thermometer.
- A burner or stove.
- String to tie skeins.
- Pantyhose or cheese cloth to tie up loose dyestuffs.
- A mask, goggles, and rubber gloves.
To make your dye party go smoothly, read through the recipe and collect all of the equipment you will need before you get started. Working in a clean, well-organized area will also make your party more enjoyable for everyone. The workspace should be well ventilated and have easy access to a hose or sink so you do not have to lug heavy tubs of water for long distances - water weighs about 4 kilograms per litre (8 lbs. per gallon).
Preparing, Dyeing, and Finishing Yarn
Wind your yarn into skeins that are 25-50 g (1-2 oz.) each. This will allow the yarn to float freely in the dyebath to take up the dye evenly. If you dont have a skein winder or a niddy-noddy, you can wrap the yarn around the back of a kitchen chair to make skeins.
Tie the two ends of each skein together using a simple knot or a bow. Then tie each skein very loosely in four places with a piece of string wrapped around and through the skein in a figure-eight shape. This will prevent the skein from tangling during washing and dyeing. Before you dye your yarn, wash it in warm water with dishwashing soap or shampoo to remove any finishing or excess lanolin. Treat the yarn gently. Let it soak and swish it around in the water a few times. Rinse the yarn and leave it soaking in clean water so its wet all the way through when you are ready to dye. Use the one-pot recipe below, or select a recipe from the books listed under Further Reading.
After youve finished with the recipe, let the yarn cool off. When it is cool enough to touch with your hands, rinse it in tepid water until it runs clear. If you have wool or any other yarn that might felt, dont put the yarn directly under the running water. Then, put the skeins in a pillowcase and spin out any excess water in your washing machine.
Rinsed Skeins Dyed with Madder Root
No matter how carefully you tied your skeins, theyre sure to look like a tangled mess by now. Do not panic. Put your hands inside the skein and pull them outwards quickly so the skein snaps tight. Do this two or three times, and your skein will straighten itself out. Hang the skeins to dry out of direct sunlight.
Have fun at your dye party!
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Originally published in Fibre Focus magazine, Spring 2004. Copyright (c) 2004 Donna Druchunas, all rights reserved.
