Dyeing

Ready Made Dyes - Chemical
Dyeing with Gaywool Dyes

Natural Dyes
Plants
Mordants

Dyeing with Gaywool Dyes

Gaywool dyes are crystalline pebbles which eliminate the mess of using powders. They are simple, complete, quick and fun. The dye is formulated specifically for raw or spun wool and is excellent on wool, cashmere, mohair, silk, nylon and fur (but not on other synthetic fibers) and for re-dyeing light colored manufactured garments. The formulation includes the mordant and dyebath acidifier and thus, all that is necessary to produce true-to-type, colorfast dyeing.

Instructions:

All dyeing of handspun wool should be done in skeins tied loosely in at least 4 places. It is also essential that they have been washed in a normal laundry detergent sufficiently to remove all trace of greasiness. We recommend using Fiber Master Wool Wash.
You need a container suitable for heating and large enough to cover the wool with water. The exact quantity of water is not important but should be sufficient so that it is easy to turn the wool over while dyeing is taking place. For every 1 skein or 108g of wool, take one level plastic capful of dyestuff, dissolve in a small quantity of hot water and add to the dyebath.
Heat the dyebath to boiling. Take the skeins of wool and wet in warm water with a little detergent before putting in dyebath. Keep dyebath on or near boiling for approximately 30 minutes. Please note: 80% of the dyeing reaction takes place in the first four minutes. Consequently, it is most important to gently turn the wool over at regular intervals or lift wool clear with a wooden spoon, drain liquid slightly and replace. Wool then takes up a new mixture of water and dye. This helps to keep the dyeing even.
Remove wool, rinse thoroughly in warm water, wring and hang to dry. For more professional finish for your yarns, use a yarnblocker. A yarnblocker is the only way to dry your skeins of handspun for a consistent twist in your yarn.

Rainbow Dyeing Fleece with Gaywool Dyes:

Raw fleece may be dyed washed or unwashed. Place fleece in container, fill with water 3/4 the way up the wool (do not cover the wool or the dyes will run together). While bringing the water up to boiling point, sprinkle the dyes at random over the fleece, using compatible colors. Gently poke the fleece into the water, do not stir; boiling for approximately 30 minutes. Several colors can be used together, i.e. Raspberry and Logwood, Cornflower and Indigo, or just one color using different strengths. For more muted colors, instead of sprinkling the powder, dilute the powder in boiling water first. Pour or spray. Note: Keep water level even, add more water if necessary by pouring down the side of the pan; make sure the wool does not catch on the bottom.
Wool in hanks can be dyed using the above directions.

Rainbow Dyeing in the Oven or Microwave:

Balls of wool may be wet in warm water with a little detergent and "injected" with a syringe filled with dye powder and water (approximately 1 capful or less of dye powder to 108g of wool). Place in a microwave for 8 minutes on high, cover with a film of plastic or in an oven bag and in the oven on medium for 20 minutes
Hanks or Staples of wool may be dyed using the above method. Wet wool, place in an ice cream bucket, sprinkle or spray with dye powder at random, using several colors if desired, or paint-dip and place in microwave for 8 minutes, cover with a film of plastic or in an oven bag and in the oven on medium for 20 minutes.

Cold Water Dyeing with Gaywool - for large amounts of rainbow dyeing, cold water dyeing is easy to do outside:

Raw Wool, Hanks, Sheepskins, etc., can all be done by this method. Wet wool. For every liter of water needed, you will have to add 40g of Urea (nitrogen) and 6.5cc Acetic Acid (white vinegar). Mix the desired dye powder with hot water; for example, three colors and divide your liter of liquid between them, then simply dip hanks, paint strands (over a log for example) or pour dye so it runs down the hank or spray (with a spray bottle), wring out excess if very wet. For sheepskins: If you want the same color all over, work dye and liquid into skin to saturation point with your gloved hands. After wringing out excess, simply cover with plastic and roll up and leave for 24 hours (less time in summer). After 24 hours, rinse out excess dye and dry.

Safety Instructions:

Always be careful with boiling water, wear gloves and avoid breathing fumes when handling chemicals, especially Urea. Make sure to use separate pots, pans, utensils, etc. for dyeing. Never use for cooking food once you have used them for dyeing. If you are dyeing indoors, always work in a well ventilated area (preferably in a separate area other than where you prepare food) and clean all chemicals from surfaces.

To purchase Gaywool Dyes, click here.

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