Dyeing Rowan Wool

ZsaZsa

Have any knitters dyed wool? I knitted a cardi a couple of years ago with Rowan wool but I don't like the colour (a beige "rich tea biscuit" coolour) and haven't worn it. I'm annoyed that it's a waste of v v expensive wool, so I've bought a dylon dye today (a handwash dye, it says it is suitable for wool), but I'm a bit apprehensive about using it- the thought of wrecking £60/70 worth of wool is making me feel a bit sick! (Its Rowan Big Wool- 100% Merino)

falady

Could you contact Rowan and ask their advice/ Or contact Dylon and do the same.

I know what you mean about not wanting to waste expensive wool (or the labour that went into knitting the item), but if you are not going to wear it, it is already wasted in a way if you see what I mean? If you don't like the colour its not even worth unravelling it to make something different, unless you could use it for gifts.

So my feeling would be to go for it and dye it :-)

ZsaZsa

falady wrote: »

Could you contact Rowan and ask their advice/ Or contact Dylon and do the same.

I know what you mean about not wanting to waste expensive wool (or the labour that went into knitting the item), but if you are not going to wear it, it is already wasted in a way if you see what I mean? If you don't like the colour its not even worth unravelling it to make something different, unless you could use it for gifts.

So my feeling would be to go for it and dye it :-)

Thanks, that was kind of my feeling, its being wasted at the moment anyway sat in a drawer, but there is that thought that I will still wear it one day..... I think I am going to just go for it though (Im too impatient to wait til mon to phone dylon/rowan, after all these years of the cardi sat doing nothing!!) Gulp...

ZsaZsa

Uh-oh :rotfl:

Not a success. The wool didn't pick up any of the dye, and it also felted the second I put it in the water. I now have a matted, shruken, rich tea biscuit coloured jumper. Next time, I think I'll buy wool in a colour I like!!

valk_scot

Now if I'd read this before you did it, I could have told you that (a) Big Wool felts at the drop of a hat and (b) Dylon is pretty useless for most knitwear but food colouring + vinegar on the other hand works a treat. Also, for future reference the best way to dye knitting yarn is in loose hanks. That way you can dye it using a microwave as the source of heat to set it and minimise the felting risk.

Are you absolutely sure you've felted it btw and that it isn't just looking bedraggled? Even with merino you need to both put it in hot water and agitate it to make it felt. Cold water dye shouldn't have made it felt.

ZsaZsa

valk_scot wrote: »

Now if I'd read this before you did it, I could have told you that (a) Big Wool felts at the drop of a hat and (b) Dylon is pretty useless for most knitwear but food colouring + vinegar on the other hand works a treat. Also, for future reference the best way to dye knitting yarn is in loose hanks. That way you can dye it using a microwave as the source of heat to set it and minimise the felting risk.

Are you absolutely sure you've felted it btw and that it isn't just looking bedraggled? Even with merino you need to both put it in hot water and agitate it to make it felt. Cold water dye shouldn't have made it felt.

Its not proper felt but its v v matted and has shrunk a lot, so much more than a bit bedraggled. I was hoping for a miracle as it dried but no joy. The water was tepid ( the dye said use warm water, washing instructions said cold water, so I went somewhere in the middle!). Maybe I stirred it too much then. The dye said stir lots for 15mins, then regularly for the following 45mins. It must have been too much. Hopefully I wont need to dye again, Im going to stick to colours I like :rotfl:. The vinegar /food dye method sounds interesting, and much more MSE

Fruball

Could you carry on felting it and turn it into a hot water bottle cover? lol

Shame it didn't work out though

ZsaZsa

Fruball wrote: »

Could you carry on felting it and turn it into a hot water bottle cover? lol

Shame it didn't work out though

Actually thats not a bad idea- I hate the thought of wasting it any more!!:idea:

meritaten

I agree with Fruball - carry on felting it and turn it into a stitchable fabric - perhaps you will have enough for a simple cushion cover or hotty botty cover as Fruball suggests, or even a handbag? Felt is very fashionable right now, so you would be right on trend!

ZsaZsa

meritaten wrote: »

I agree with Fruball - carry on felting it and turn it into a stitchable fabric - perhaps you will have enough for a simple cushion cover or hotty botty cover as Fruball suggests, or even a handbag? Felt is very fashionable right now, so you would be right on trend!

Think I'll give it a go. What do I do, just put it back in warm water and carry on stirring?

meritaten

more or less! hotter water should felt it properly - I am really no expert at felting - only done it once by complete accident like you! I left a pure wool cardigan on the bed and put it in washing machine with duvet cover and boiled it! the result wouldnt have fitted a five year old! it did fit around a small cushion so thats what i did! and gave it to my DD!.
I would put the garment into a sink or bowl of quite hot water and just leave it. squeeze as dry as poss then dry flat. hopefully, you will get a fabric that is stichable (or use fabric glue)!
I am sure someone else with more experience will correct me if I am wrong and it should be put in washing machine!