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ClaireUK · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Coventry, UK

If I try to dye my BFL rovings will I have to re-card?

I have bought a bag of undyed from P & M Woolcraft and would like to have a go at dying some, but I'm nervous that all the beautifully smooth fibre will fall apart.

Any suggestions please?

Claire UK

cledry yarner · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 176

You can rainbow dye them as rovings or dye them one colour in a pot and they won't need re-carding. Depends what end reuslt you want really. Do you want them all to be the same colour?

ClaireUK · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Coventry, UK

I am thinking of different colours, variagated, not solid.

Claire UK

cledry yarner · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 176

I'll tell you how I do it. I fill a bowl with warm water and a big glug of vinegar then carefully lay the fibre in it and let it take up the water - maybe give it a small poke to make it go under - then I leave it overnight. Next day I carefully lift it out and give it a squeeze to get rid of the water, then I lay it out onto some cling film which I've already put onto the worktop (if I'm doing 100 g I split it into 4 x 25 g before I put it into soak) I gently spread it out so it's lying nice and even and then apply the prepared dyes in the colours/sections I want. I use a variety of techniques from stencil brushes to syringes to foam brushes and occasionally plant spray bottles. It's important not to completely soak the wool as that can make the colours run into each other too much and go muddy. When I've applied the colour I let it sit for a bit to absorb and then fold it up in the clingfilm and roll it up like a swis roll. Then I pop it in the microwave for 7 - 9 minutes each packet (I've got a dedicated microwave for dyeing but I have to admit to doing one or two in the kitchen one at first Embarassed

) When it pings I let it cool down - sometimes I leave it to sit overnight again - and then I rinse it in the sink until it runs clear. Mostly all the dye has been taken up into the wool so there isn't any run off anyway. Then I hang it somewhere to dry.

It's possible to do it in a pan or in the sink as well. I think ashford do a 'how to' sheet - I'll have a look.

Here's someone doiong it with ashford dyes but the princip0le is exactly the same with all the acid dyes

http://www.knitting-and.com/spinning/rainbow-dyeing.html

ClaireUK · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Coventry, UK

Thanks, I'll give it a go - sounds straightforward Confused

I like the idea of using a microwave instead of steaming it for an hour.

Claire UK

hellomango · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 49 Location: Hull, UK

I love dyeing, it is so much fun! Don't worry about the end result too much or you will drive yourself mad! Can't wait to see what you come up with!
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ClaireUK · Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Coventry, UK

Success:

It was Merino wool and my first attempt was a bit paler than I expected

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But my 2nd attempt was better.
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Thanks for the help Very Happy

Claire UK

natalie · Posted: Tue Sep 05, 2006 7:34 pm Post subject:

What gorgeous soft colours, these are really pretty.
n
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cledry yarner · Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 176

Very nice Claire Smile

Straightforward once you try it isn't it?

hellomango · Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 49 Location: Hull, UK

They are great Claire, easy and fun isn't it?

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