The Muffs Letter
September 20, 2024
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Do you love dyeing with Neons? I’ve mixed up some colors, bold and so bright, with Jacquard Blacklight Blue that glows in the night! And Dharma neons, oh, what a sight— they shimmer and shine, both day and night!
But wait, there’s more! Two bonus sets too: Neon with Retro Vibe, and some cool Dharma Hues! Just download the PDF, dye the recipes and see, all the dazzling colours as bright as can be.
For beginner dyers, it’s a journey to start, learn to dye wool with fun and with heart! Mixing neons made easy, the basics are clear, your dyeing adventure begins right here!
Hot Tip! Use bleached white yarn vs natural white yarn to obtain the brightest most neon hues.
The Muffs Neon Bundle is finally launched! Get it on Sale now! >
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Dye Disaster to Colour Confidence: Step by Step Dye Calculations
I struggled with measuring the right amount of dye for the right amount of yarn from the very first day I started using Dharma Dyes. This challenge went on for years. Eventually, I began writing down the dye amounts and created many recipes, so I no longer had to worry about calculating— I could just follow the recipes. The more I used them, the more I noticed recurring patterns, and I found myself learning how to calculate like a pro from the inside out! You can do it too. There are only a few key things to understand, and once you grasp them, you’ll never have to worry about dye calculations again. They will become second nature.
I want to help you achieve this, so I’ve honed in on how to make dye solutions and how to calculate the necessary dye amounts, whether in milliliters or grams. This step-by-step guide will walk you through making dye stock solutions, with repeated examples to help solidify the process for different fiber weights.
The best way to learn how to calculate dye amounts is by working backwards. Start by using pre-made dye recipes frequently, and over time, you’ll begin to notice repetitive patterns. As you use them more, you’ll naturally start to understand the calculations without even realizing it.
Note: Muffs dye recipes use 1% solutions and are always based on 100g of fibre. This streamlines all dye recipes and collections. I also dye small yarn samples using a diluted .1% dye solution. 1g of dye + 1000ml of water. Or, .1g of dye + 100ml water. Or, .05g + 50ml of water. In order to convert this small amount for say 100g of yarn, move the recipe amount over by one decimal place. Once you get the hang of this, you can test your recipes in seconds like a champ. Although quite comprehensive, there are only three parts:
Step 1: Make Dye Solutions or Don't Make Dye Solutions
Millilitres - Make dye solutions first. Then measure your recipe amounts in mls. You still need to weigh your dye powder in grams to make your solution. This amount is generally universal. Muffs uses a 1% dye solution: 1g of dye + 100ml of water. This amount never changes. (useful for storing ready to use dye, hand painting yarn or pouring dye for low immersion colourways).
Grams - Directly weigh the exact dye powder you need for your recipe in grams and add it directly to your dye pot, however big or small your pot will be. (Useful for dyeing solid yarn in a dye pot).
Step 2: Weigh your fibre
Step 3: Measure your dye recipe amounts (based on the amount of fibre) from either the 1% dye solution in mls or weigh your dye powder recipe amounts in grams and add it to the pot. Alternatively you can make exact dye solution amounts from the weighed powder. If your recipe is .2 grams of Caribbean Blue. You can weigh out .2 grams on your weigh scale, then add 20ml of water to it. I use this method because I don't dye large amounts of yarn using the same colours all the time.
Example:
For a dye recipe that is 1g Fluorescent Fuchsia dye powder use:
100g fibre (Weight of Fibre)
1g of dye + 100ml solution = 100ml needed for 100g of yarn. (100 x WOF 100%)
1g of dye + 1000ml solution = 1000ml needed for 100g of yarn. (1000 x WOF 100%)
1g of fibre (Weight of Fibre)
1g of dye + 100ml solution = 1ml needed for 1g of yarn. (100 x WOF 1%)
1g of dye + 1000ml solution = 10ml needed for 1g of yarn. (1000 x WOF 1%)
This is an example of a dye solution made for the exact 1g recipe amount needed. For example you could make a solution that is 2g of dye + 200ml of water and only use 100ml of that solution to create the Fluorescent Fuchsia 1g dye recipe.
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Materials
Micro digital scale (that can measure to 0.01g)
Calculator
Dye powder
Yarn, wool, silk or nylon fibre
Measuring cups or graduated cylinders
Boiling Water & warm water
Stirring stick or spoon
Clear container for storing dye stock solutions
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How to Make 1% Dye Solutions (1g dye powder + 100ml water)
Weight out Your Dye Powder
A 1% dye solution is a prepared dye mixture that you will measure recipe amounts from. You can make any amount you like depending on how much approximately you think you will need for your project. Use a micro digital scale to weigh out your dye powder. You will need 100ml of water for every 1 gram of dye.
Common Examples:
.5g dye powder + 50 ml water
1g dye powder + 100 ml water
2g dye powder + 200ml water
5g dye powder + 500 ml water
10g dye powder + 1000 ml water
How to Make .1% Dye Solutions (.1g dye powder + 1000ml water)
Weight out Your Dye Powder
A .1% dye solution is a prepared dye mixture that you will measure small recipe amounts from. You can make any amount you like depending on how much approximately you think you will need for your project. It's common to use this for measuring smaller recipe amounts. Use a micro digital scale to weigh out your dye powder. You will need 1000ml of water for every 1 gram of dye.
Common Examples:
.01g dye powder + 10ml water
.05g dye powder + 50ml water
.1g dye powder + 100ml water
.5g dye powder + 500ml water
1g dye powder + 1000 ml water
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Combine the Dye and Water
Add a small amount of boiling water to your dye powder and mix. Depending on how clumpy your dye is, wait 5 minutes to half hour to dissolve. Then add the remaining water amount into your measuring cup. If you used 1g of dye, you will need a total of 100ml water.
Stir Thoroughly
Use a silicone meat baster, brush or stirring stick to mix the dye and water thoroughly. Stir until all the dye particles are completely dissolved. There should be no lumps or undissolved powder at the bottom.
To Store or (Not to Store Dye Stock Solution) (optional)
You don't need to store your dye solutions if you're occasionally dyeing.
You don't need to store your dye solutions if you're solid dyeing large amounts of fibre. It can be much cleaner, easier and consistent to weigh out your dye powder in grams as you need it and place it right into your pot. No water measurements or solution required. (Your dye powder amount will completely absorb into your fibre no matter how much water is used. Keep in mind its recommend to use enough water so your fibre moves freely. This is very important for solid fibre dyeing.
You don't need to store your solutions if you're using colours only once or a few times now and then.
Storing your Solutions
Store your dye solutions if you're measuring out the same colour recipes all the time for example fibre colourways (Where you need water to hand pour or paint your yarns.
Store your dye solutions if you're often using the same colours for small weights of fibre or small 1g samples.
When I began dyeing, I didn't store at all. I used only what I needed. It became tiring making new solutions all the time. After I began making only 1g yarn samples, I went back to making only what I needed in that moment.
Storage Containers
Pour the dye solution into a preferably clear, clean and wide mouth plastic container with measurement increments. This way you can make your solutions right in the container without having to transfer it from a measuring cup. The wide mouth I found to be extremely beneficial in measuring various amounts for different projects.
Label your Solutions
Make sure to label it clearly with the dye concentration (and preferably the date made).
Example: 1% Solution (1g + 100ml) FF (Fluorescent Fuchsia) 09/27/2024
Example: .1% Solution (1g + 1000ml) FF (Fluorescent Fuchsia) 09/27/2024
Muffs Style Format:
Example: 100ml FF 09/27
Example: 1000ml FF 09/27
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Dyeing Yarn for various Fibre Weights
Recipe Example:
Caribbean Blue .5g dye powder or (use 50ml Caribbean Blue dye solution)
Fluorescent Lemon .2g or (use 20ml Fluor. Lemon dye solution)
Here are the amounts you will need for various fibre weights.
Muffs recipes are all based on 100g of yarn. If you want to dye 200g of yarn, double the recipe. If you want to dye 50g of yarn, cut recipe in half. Alternatively, get to know this one calculation and you can dye any amount of fibre using any dye recipe:
Simple Calculations Using 30% Weight of Fabric Example:
Caribbean Blue (50ml)
5g wool = 20ml × 5% (5g wool) = 1ml
10g wool = 20ml × 10% (10g wool) = 2ml
25g wool = 20ml × 25% (25g wool) = 5ml
50g wool = 20ml × 50% (50g wool) = 10ml
75g wool = 20ml × 75% (75g wool) = 15ml
100g wool = 20ml × 100% (100g wool) = 20ml
150g wool = 20ml × 150% (150g wool) = 30ml
200g wool = 20ml × 200% (200g wool) = 40ml
300g wool = 20ml × 300% (300g wool) WOF = 60ml
500g wool = 20ml × 500% (500g wool) WOF = 100ml
Fluorescent Lemon (20ml)
5g wool = 50ml × 5% (5g wool) = 2.5ml
10g wool = 50ml × 10% (10g wool) = 5ml
25g wool = 50ml × 25% (25g wool) = 12.5ml
50g wool = 50ml × 50% (50g wool) = 25ml
75g wool = 50ml × 75% (75g wool) = 37.5ml
100g wool = 50ml × 100% (100g wool) = 50ml
150g wool = 50ml × 150% (150g wool) = 75ml
200g wool = 50ml × 200% (200g wool) = 100ml
300g wool = 50ml × 300% (300g wool) WOF = 150ml
500g wool = 50ml × 500% (500g wool) WOF = 250ml
Now that you know how to make dye solutions or measure your dye powder in grams, you’re ready to apply the dye to your fiber! There are countless techniques for adding dye to your yarn, and I hope you’re feeling more confident and prepared to start. Stay tuned for a detailed fiber dyeing tutorial!
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Still having trouble? Let's try reading it in Muffs whimsical tale style (Inspired by Dr Suess). Made with the help of AI.
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When creating dye solutions, there are several potential struggles and learning curves involved in calculations, handling dye solutions, and managing the weight of fibre. However, with practice, these challenges can be overcome. Here are some common issues and strategies to handle them:
#1 Calculating Percentages
Calculating the right amount of dye for different solution percentages can be confusing, especially for beginners. Mistakes often occur when scaling up or down dye amounts, especially with small or non-round numbers.
Learning Curve
You need to become comfortable with percentages, ratios, and conversions between grams, milliliters, and different units of measurement.
Overcoming
Use a consistent formula and stick to it. For example, a 1% solution is always 1 gram of dye per 100 ml of water, and a 0.1% solution is 1 gram of dye per 1000 ml. Using a digital scale and calculator can help avoid errors. Practicing smaller batches before moving to larger ones can also reinforce understanding.
#2 Measuring Dye Accurately
Accurately measuring small amounts of dye powder can be difficult due to the sensitivity of the scale or even environmental factors like static or moisture in the air.
Learning Curve
Precision is key, and developing the skill of carefully measuring dye takes time, especially when dealing with very small amounts (e.g., 0.1 grams).
Overcoming
Invest in a high-quality digital scale that measures to 0.01 grams. You can also make larger dye stock solutions that reduce the margin for error (e.g., making a 10% dye stock to dilute later instead of measuring tiny amounts of powder).
#3 Understanding Weight of Fiber and Water Ratios
Knowing how much dye to use based on the weight of the fiber (e.g., wool, cotton) can be tricky. The ratio between the dye and fiber weight (often called “Weight of Goods” or WOG) is critical in dyeing but is sometimes overlooked.
Learning Curve
Beginners often misunderstand how much dye to use for a given amount of fiber. For instance, to dye 100g of yarn, you need to calculate how much dye is required from your dye stock (1%, 0.1%, etc.), taking into account the fiber's absorbency and desired color intensity.
Overcoming
Follow basic WOG formulas like: if you want to use a 1% dye solution and dye 100g of yarn, you would need 10 ml of dye solution. Keeping a dyeing log to track what works for different fibers helps build confidence.
#4 Achieving Colour Consistency
Achieving consistent results between batches, especially when working with different fibers, is one of the biggest challenges. Factors like fibre type and dye absorption can lead to variations in shade.
Learning Curve
It takes practice to understand how different fibers and environmental factors affect the final color.
Overcoming
Keep detailed records of every dyeing session (fiber type, dye concentration, water temperature, time) and follow a controlled process for each batch. Over time, you’ll understand how to tweak variables to maintain consistency.
#5 Stirring and Dissolving Dye
Dissolving dye completely in water can be difficult, especially for larger amounts or certain dyes that tend to clump.
Learning Curve
If the dye isn’t dissolved completely, you might get speckling or uneven colour
Overcoming
Practice with smaller amounts of dye to understand its behavior before scaling up. Using warm (but not boiling) water helps dissolve dye powders more effectively, ensuring a smoother solution. Always dissolve dye powder in a small amount of water first, stirring until fully dissolved, before adding it to a larger dye bath. Use consistent and gentle stirring to ensure even dissolution and avoid clumping or sediment at the bottom. For extra precaution, strain the dissolved dye through a fine mesh or cloth to remove any undissolved particles. Track your mixing ratios and process to troubleshoot and refine your technique over time.
Go to > How to Dye Yarn at Home - Stories & Tales
Go to > Dyeing Yarn with a Splash and a Twist - You Won't Want to Miss!