How to Calculate Dye Amounts for Various Fibre Weights

Once you’ve weighed your fibre, it’s time to calculate how much dye you’ll need for the desired colour. This step ensures that your results are consistent and predictable.

Dye Solutions

Muffs Merino uses a standard 1g of dye powder + 100ml water ratio. This is called a dye solution. You don't have to make dye solutions to measure your dye. Alternatively you can measure your dye amounts directly from the dye powder using a micro weigh scale. 

Calculating How Much Dye you Need

To calculate the amount of dye needed:

1. Determine the weight of your fibre in grams.

2. Determine the colour, shade, dye recipe or intensity you want to dye your fibre. For example you can find dye recipe amounts in all Muffs Dye Recipe Colour Collections. You can find all the shade dye recipe amounts for Dharma Acid Dyes in Muffs "Ultimate Bundle Dharma Dye Collection". 

Alternatively you can use a dye calculation to chart to estimate an approximate shade for various weights of fibre. Available here and in Muffs Etsy shop. Get the Dye Calculation Chart or Get it on Etsy

If you are a beginner, you can also determine how much dye you need by using 1g of dye as a starting point. Once you experiment with different dye colours, you will get a good idea of how much dye you need for that colour to obtain various shades. Once you have decided how much dye you will use, calculate using the formula below.

3. Use the following formula to calculate:

 

Fibre Weight x Dye Amount % = Dye Amount Needed. 

 

Example:

Use grams:

100g (yarn) x 1% (1g of dye) = 1g of dye powder.

Use mls:

100g (yarn) x 100% (100mls of dye solution) = 100mls of dye solution.

If you want to dye various fibre weights for various dye shades, you can use the same formula:

Fibre Weight x Dye Amount % = Dye Amount Needed. 

 

Example:

Use grams:

34g (yarn) x .75% (.75g of dye) = .25g of dye powder.

Use mls:

34g (yarn) x 75% (75mls of dye solution) = 25mls of dye solution.

 

If you’re dyeing multiple skeins or batches, double the recipe etc. Repeat this calculation for each batch. This helps maintain consistency across your entire project.

The more often you calculate, the more often the formula will become second nature. 

If you want to see more examples, you can download this free PDF snapshot that goes along Muffs Dye Calculation YouTube video:
How to Calculate Dye Amounts for Various Fibre Weights.

Watch YouTube Video Here:

How to Calculate Dye Amounts for Various Fibre Weights

 

 4. Use a precise micro weight scale:

Weigh your dye powder or measure your dye solution precisely to avoid over or under dyeing. Use small, calibrated scales for accuracy.

By following these calculations, you’ll have the exact amount of dye needed to achieve the perfect colour every time, ensuring even coverage across your fibre.

This step will help you create vibrant, consistent colors and maintain control over the depth of shade for your dyeing projects!

Watch YouTube Video:

How to Calculate Dye Amounts for Various Fibre Weights

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments of the YouTube video and I will be sure to get back to you. 

Happy Calculating! Lori