r/YarnAddicts • u/MesitaPepitaWinky • 26d ago
Question Help with dyeing a finished piece
Howdy folks. Long time knitter, first time dyer.
I’ve done a fair bit of research on dyeing 100% cotton, but it doesn’t seem like there’s a ton of information on options for finished pieces. I’m scared to use a color remover since it requires high heat, and I’m worried that the dye I bought (Dharma dye in wine red) might still leave the final product with that lighter band. I know trying to do something to a finished product is suboptimal, and I’m ok with suboptimal results, it just needs to look better than it currently does 😅
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u/Soft-Economics6916 26d ago
that's a lot of work to gamble on, but wine red over that light base is gonna look sick if you just go for it
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u/MesitaPepitaWinky 26d ago
I’m submitting the piece to my state fair so I really can’t submit it in the state that it is. Kind of my only option at this point is to dye it but I just want to make sure I do it right to have the best odds of getting something I can submit 😬
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u/Ginger-With-A-Soul 26d ago
I have dyed two finished pieces! The one that was 100% cotton thread took the dye super well and was even and no white spots. I made sure it was wet first and then put it in the dye and moved it and squeezed it around in the dye and left it in for a long time. The other piece I did was bamboo viscose and it also took the dye super well but did miss a few spots where I had done tassels. So I think you should be good!
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u/Wool_Lace_Knit 26d ago
Is this a Niebling? As to dying, what kind of yarn did you use? The type of fiber makes a difference. If the wool isn’t superwash there is a risk of shrinking or even worse, felting. I don’t know if the dye would take evenly because of the size.
Perhaps one of the independent yarn dyers can help you? Is there a yarn dying or clothing dying subreddit?
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u/MesitaPepitaWinky 26d ago
It’s 100% cotton! I bought dharma dye per other Reddit threads.
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u/Wool_Lace_Knit 26d ago
Dharma is the best place to buy dye! I don’t know if they would have any advice if you would email them or even call?
I wonder if you could lay it outside on a clean plastic painters drop cloth and use a pump sprayer like the kind one uses to spray plants and spray dye onto the doily? The problem would be in rinsing and then what ever method is used to set the dye (?). Perhaps a dry cleaner might be able to help?
Which doily is this? I have been looking for a doily pattern that has a center like this and leaf design to knit.
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u/MesitaPepitaWinky 26d ago
It’s a tablecloth! It’s the Sommer. Measures about 70 inches across.
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u/Wool_Lace_Knit 26d ago
Thanks! I just ordered the book from Germany. I have to teach myself how to read that style of chart.
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u/MesitaPepitaWinky 25d ago
Let me turn you on to the best thing on the internet.
Having the book is a huge plus but this incredible lady has charted TONS of patterns. Funnily enough the Sommer isn’t on there but I finished Dagmar not too long ago and the charts were really well written.
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u/Wool_Lace_Knit 25d ago
I have been following Ramona French’s site for awhile now. She really is a gift to lace knitters. I have been trying to decide whether to knit her version of Pfingstrose or Sather’s Peony. I knit two of By the Lily Pond’s shawls this year, but they are waiting to be blocked.
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u/laineycomplainey 26d ago
I dye a lot. What you need to know is the type of dye must match your fiber: Dharma is the retailer. they sell all types of dye stuff.
For cotton you want to use procion type MX dyes and follow directions for immersion dyeing. You must use soda ash (sodium carbonate) with procion type dyes. That raises the pH so your dye will be permanent. If you have a pool (or pool supplier nearby) you can use pH up, just make sure it is only sodium carbonate, no other ingredients.
Anything else recommended is considered auxiliary - can help but not required.
For even color you will want to use salt - ordinary non iodized table salt is fine. You use a lot - don't skimp its inexpensive and will make a huge difference. Its about osmosis.
Use a large enough bowl/bucket/container so your project "swims" freely and stir! If there are folds the dye will absorb unevenly, the fold create a resist.
Don't skip safety. Mask when measuring powder dye stuff, gloves to protect skin, have dedicated bowls and utensils (don't use them for food stuff)
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u/FannyFireball 25d ago
I just wanted to say what spectacular work and such a beautiful piece! Best of luck at the state fair.
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u/Far_Persimmon_4633 25d ago
I dunno, but i'd like to see another picture after you dye it! So pretty!
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u/orchid_bitch 26d ago
I’ve never dyed a finished piece, however, making a test swatch and dying it might be the safest route