Ashford Acid Exhaust Dyes (Hot Method)

You will need:

Steps:

1. Thoroughly soak the wool in warm water with 1/4 teaspoon of dish wash soap for 20 minutes in a basin.
2. Fill the dyepot with enough water to cover the article to be dyed and allow circulation.
3. Mix the dye powder to a paste in a small container with a little cold water. Then add sufficient warm water to dissolve it. Add this dye concentrate to the dye pot.
4. Stir in to the dyepot two tablespoons of white vinegar for every 200 grams of wool.
5. Add the wool to the liquid in the dyepot. Turn the wool gently so it soaks up dye evenly.
6. Slowly raise the temperature of the dyepot liquid to boiling point. Turn the wool gently from time to time to avoid uneven color.
7. Simmer for 30-40 minutes.
8. If dye liquid remains highly coloured, add a little extra white vinegar 5 minutes before finishing.
9. Allow the dyebath to cool before handling.
10. Remove the wool from the dyebath.
11. Rinse in warm water.
12. Rinse in cool water and dry.

Notes:

• 10g of dye powder with 10 tablespoons of white vinegar will dye 1kg of wool to full shade. For smaller quantities one level teaspoon of dye powder with two tablespoons of white vinegar will dye 200 grams of wool. For a lighter colour add less dye powder.
• When dyeing coloured wool or fabric results will be different from colour chart.
• Before you throw away the dyebath liquid add 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda to the liquid to neutralize the acid in the water: it is nicer to the environment.
• The Ashford Book Of Dyeing is packed full of information on different methods and ideas of all kinds. Chapter Three will teach you more about how to use chemical dyes.

For Your Safety:

1. Keep containers tightly closed and out of children's reach.
2. Wear gloves.
3. Wear a dust mask when handling dry dye powder. Avoid breathing fumes.
4. Keep dye pots and utensils for dyeing only.

Click here to purchase dyes and dyeing supplies.

Ashford Acid Exhaust Dyes (Cold Method)

This is an exciting way to apply original dye combinations directly onto a hank of yarn with a pastry brush!

You Will Need:

Steps:

1. The Dye Solution (3 colours) - Put 2g packs dye powder in each jar. Add a little cold water to dissolve the granules, then 500ml warm water and stir well. This thickens the liquid to a consistency that will flow onto the yarn without running; this thickening medium is called a Padding Mixture.
2. Padding Mixture (500 ml) - Place the 150g urea in the jar - pour on 250ml boiling water - stir well until dissolved - add cold water to make 500ml. Add 1 teaspoon of methylated spirits (rubbing alcohol) - sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons of polycell paste into the mixture stirring vigorously. Add 2 drops dish washing liquid - add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Leave 30 minutes. Seal until needed. If there are lumps in the mixture put the mixture through a sieve.
3. Soak the Hank of Yarn in Warm Water - with 2 drops of dish washing liquid.
4. Add Dye to Padding Mixture - Pour about 50ml of padding mixture into a container, add 1-2 teaspoons of dye solution. Less dye for pale shades.
5. Now Everything is Ready - PAINTING TIME! Towel dry the hank of yarn. Lie the yarn on the kitchen wrap. Paint your design on the yarn. Fold the kitchen wrap over the yarn. Try to seal it to exclude air.
6. To Set the Dye - Some form of heat is necessary. Take your dyed hank home. Place it in a sunny room on a window sill, in a hot water cupboard, or sleep on it under your sheet on your water bed. Takes approximately 24-48 hours. Hint: Winter-Time Oven Method: Slit open an oven bag, paint the yarn fold the bag to seal. Place in oven 1/2 hour at 100 degrees C.
7. Washing - Soak hank in cold water for 10 minutes. Wash the hank gently 2 or 3 times in warm water and detergent. Rinse in warm water. Dry in a shady place.

For Your Safety:

• Wear rubber or plastic gloves.
• Use dye equipment for dyeing only. Label all dyes and solutions and lock away.
• Cover all surfaces.

Click here to purchase dyes and dyeing supplies.