Corkwood knitting and crafts

Dyeing with Kenanthrol Acid dyes 

Quantities  of dye and fixative used for 100gms dry weight fabric
Shades                            Acid dye                          Fixing agent       
Pale                    0.1-0.2gms                    6gms Ammonium sulphate or 1/4 Cup of white vinegar   
Medium               0.5-1.0gms                    6gms Ammonium sulphate or 1/4 Cup of white vinegar   
Strong                 1.5-2.0gms                    6gms Ammonium sulphate or 1/4 Cup of white vinegar   
Black                     3.0-4gms                    6gms Ammonium sulphate or 1/4 Cup of white vinegar

Make sure the wool or fabric is clean You need to make sure your material is thoroughly clean
as oils, sizing and other contaminants can affect the efficiency of the dye. I give most fibers a
good soaking in detergent and a good rinse beforehand just to make sure any greasy coatings
have been removed.

Method for dyeing Kenanthrol Acid dye on the stove top for 100g of fibre

1. Measure 3 liters of warm water per 100g of fibre into a heatable pan, preferably stainless steel as other             
metals may affect the dye shade
2. In hard water areas add 3gms Calgon - dissolve
3. Add Fixing Agent (Ammonium Sulphate) - dissolve  or 1/4 cup of  white vinegar per 100g of fabric
4. Weigh out dye powder.In a separate dish add little warm water, mix to paste. Add boiling  
water to dissolve. Add dissolved dye to dye bath 
5. Add damp fabric to the dye bath and stir gently with a wooden, plastic or stainless steel
implement.
6. Raise temperature slowly to 95°C. Continue at this temperature for 15mins (30mins for  
strong shades).
7. Remove from dye bath, rinse in tepid water. Finally wash with detergent and leave to dry.

Dyeing with kenanthrol Acid dyes in a microwave
This is suitable for smaller items

Items you will need -:
1.         Large microwave-able bowl.
2.         Measuring spoons
3.         Measuring jug
4.         Clear malt vinegar

 Method for dyeing wool or fabric in the microwave
1. Take about 100g - 150g of the washed raw fleece and soak in a washing bowl full of hot  
water and detergent. Rinse through with clean water and squeeze dry by hand.
2. In a small measuring jug, dissolve approx 1.5g of dye powder (about 1/3 of a teaspoon) in  
about a tablespoon of warm water and mix to a paste. Add boiling water from a kettle and
fill to 200 ml                 
3.Stir thoroughly until the dye has completely dissolved, then let the mixture cool to room
temperature.
4. Put 1 liter of hot water in to a large microwave-able bowl. (I use one witch holds 3 liters).  
Add the dye mixture, then sprinkle 3g, Approx 1/2 a teaspoon of ammonium sulphate in to                
the solution
5. Give the mixture a good stir so that the particles dissolve. Add two tablespoons of clear 
malt vinegar and then the wetted fleece.  (You may leave out the ammonium sulphate if  
there is none available and use 150 ML of the malt vinegar instead)
6. Place in the microwave and cook on full power for about 12 minutes
7. Allow the fleece to stand in the mixture as it cools down.
8. Rinse thoroughly so any loose dye particles are removed then leave to dry