Small studio dyeing varies greatly from day to day, influenced by the minerals in the water, the dye measured, how wet or dry the yarns or fibres are and a short list of additional influential factors, including the creative energy and hand of the dyer. That’s what makes each skein unique.
Because of these variables, yarns pick up dye differently each session. We recommend that you buy enough of one dye lot to complete your entire project. Unfortunately, while we can redye your colourway, it won’t be the same as your original purchase.
Hand dyed yarns will exhaust some dye, some colours will run more than others. This will not change the colour of your garment. The colour is set and it is wash fast. But there can be dye particles trapped inside the fibres that will release over a number of washes. For this reason it is best to hand-wash all your hand-dyed finished objects, or wash with like colours.
We do a touch test on a sampling of 75% of our skeins each session. We put them down on a piece of white fabric and see if they leave behind any colour. If they do they will be re-rinsed until nothing is left behind. It is time consuming but we want you to be happy with your purchase.
Hand washing is best as it does not aggravate the fibres and will help to keep your hard work looking gorgeous longer. I’m a mom so I have decided to dye a range of superwash yarns. I want easy-to-care-for fibres in gorgeous semi-solids and variegated yarns, not just in kiddie colours. Even though they are superwash we do recommend gentle care – put an item in a laundry bag, turned inside out, to lessen wear and tear in the washing machine. Lots of water and a gentle cycle will limit friction and extend the life of all hand-knitted items. Avoid extremes of temperature so you don’t felt your work. And we always recommend laying it flat to dry.
If you have something that has stretched out a lot, you can try throwing it into the dryer. Use a warm or cool temperature setting and put it in with other knitted items. I have a sweater that is unwearable unless I toss it in the dryer. I half-dry it in the dryer so it shrinks back to my size, then finish by drying it flat.
Email if you have questions. You can email info@rockymountaindyeworks.com or use our secure contact form in the “Contact” page.
