Need advise from experienced yarn dyers

[Kaydee]

I bought some bare yarn from KP that I wanted to try to dye myself this weekend. I'm planning on using Kool Aid, but I've looked at a few online tutorials some of which say you need vinegar, and some that say you don't. Can any of you experienced dyers tell me if I do need it or not?? And any tips I should know?

ETA: Some also say not to use aluminum pots, so is this a big no no then?

I've never used vinegar, and the few things that I've dyed (KP's Bare mostly but I also overdyed some Malabrigo at one time) turned out just fine.




Can't remember if I used aluminum though...

[kemp]

Instructions here: http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/drinkmix.shtml This site is a great resource for all dye questions.

[psammeadred]

I've never used vinegar, and the few things that I've dyed (KP's Bare mostly but I also overdyed some Malabrigo at one time) turned out just fine.




Can't remember if I used aluminum though...

Preeeeeetttttyyyy...

[tab]

I'm not -that- experienced, but here's my $0.02 CAD.

I've dyed wool with kool-aid before. Patons Classic Merino, to be exact, but it doesn't really matter. I didn't use vinegar. I felted a little bag I made with the first stuff I dyed, and there was a bit of the colour in the water but no noticeable fading on the actual bag. You don't really need vinegar for kool-aid because it has a fair amount of acid already in it, but it won't hurt to add a glug.
As for the pot... ours was probably stainless steel, so I can't say anything for sure there. Being careful doesn't hurt, though.

[Kaydee]

Thanks for the suggestions. psammeadred your yarn is beautiful. I'm hoping to dye mine this weekend so I'll post some pics when its done.

[cando]

Instructions here: http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/drinkmix.shtml This site is a great resource for all dye questions.

Thanks, kemp, for posting that link! There's a lot of useful info in there.

[psammeadred]

Thanks for the suggestions. psammeadred your yarn is beautiful. I'm hoping to dye mine this weekend so I'll post some pics when its done.

Friskums did it! (The only KoolAid dyeing I've done so far turned a formerly neon yellow wool-acrylic mix into radioactive carrot.)

[CarmenIbanez]

I have also used kool-aid without vinegar and been just fine.

[Kaydee]

Originally Posted by Kaydee

Thanks for the suggestions. psammeadred your yarn is beautiful. I'm hoping to dye mine this weekend so I'll post some pics when its done.

Friskums did it! (The only KoolAid dyeing I've done so far turned a formerly neon yellow wool-acrylic mix into radioactive carrot.)

oops! that's right. well, friskums it's beautiful!