Dye Issues

[jumpuphigh]

I just finished a scarf made out of silk sari yarn and when I washed it, the colors bled horribly.  I've handwashed it multiple times and there is still a bit of bleeding.  Any ideas?  I'm having vague recollections of talk about salt setting dyes?  Do we have any dyers in this comm with experience with silk?

ETA: When I was washing it with cold water, it was starting to bleed less.  I've now washed it about 4 times with warm water and the bleeding is almost as bad as the first cold water wash.

ETA2: I seem to be allergic to the dye.  *facepalm*  Guess I'm done fiddling.  It's laid out on towels for drying.

Comments

[sporky_rat]

After a little research (and a call to a person who knows a person who dyes and spins silk) it all depends on the type of dye. Apparently vinegar and salt can help with acid dyes which is used on silk (and other animal fibers), but it has to be done with hot water.

Other than that, just continue washing - but try warm water. It might just be quite a bit of excess dye. Is it fading any?

[jumpuphigh]

The color isn't fading but the bleeding seems to be quite a bit less now. Perhaps I should try another round but with warm water. I was using cold.

Also, thank you so much for the research and effort. I really appreciate it.

[pinesandmaples]

Honestly, how often do you expect to wash this? Or wear it in the rain?

Because if the answer is "Not often", leave it be.

[jumpuphigh]

I'm giving it to someone and I plan on warning for bleeding but she does live someplace where it is very wet. I'd hate for it to ruin her clothing.

[pinesandmaples]

See, the larger issue is that silk saris are not washed very often. They are typically worn no more than 6 times a year, and they are washed 1-2 times a year...if that. So the dyers don't really have to worry about the color running, and the fabric doesn't handle that sort of wear very well at all.

The repurposing of mill-ends is great, but the care issues are...interesting. We're repurposing a fabric and expecting it to perform differently than it would in it's traditional presentation, which will always present some issues.

[jumpuphigh]

Oh the things not talked about when the pitch for this yarn is happening. Erg.

[clare_dragonfly]

Huh. I have a sari silk scarf that I wear pretty often (since I'm allergic to wool, it's my warmest scarf) and I haven't had any trouble with wear. Don't know about bleeding, though, as I've never tried to wash it and I don't think I've worn it in the rain.

[jumpuphigh]

It's funny. I normally don't bother washing and blocking scarves cause I just can't be bothered. However, since this one is a gift, I thought I really should. Thank goodness. I'd hate for it to bleed all over her.

[sporky_rat]

I've got a silk scarf that bleeds a bit just in the humidity - very frustrating.

[jumpuphigh]

This is my first time knitting with silk and while it is gorgeous, if all silk bleeds like this, I won't be using it again. My fingers are starting to feel shriveled from all the washing.

[apis_mellifera]

Not all silk bleeds like that. I have spun dyed silk (and silk blends) with no bleeding. I have knit dyed silk (and silk blends) with no bleeding. I have washed dyed silk (and silk blends) with no bleeding. If the dye is set properly, there should be minimal bleed. I would not let one bad experience turn you off the fiber forever.

[jumpuphigh]

I've used silk/alpaca and enjoyed it. It probably is just the brand or as pinesandmaples said, the fabric. It's just frustrating. I'm nervous about using all-silk yarn again now.

[pinesandmaples]

The key word in this discussion is not silk but sari/saree. The problem is with the dye process, not the fiber.

If you want a difference experience, Reynolds has a very nice silk blend with good hand. Claudia's Silk Lace is also out of this world, but it's very thin. (But for lace, it can't be beat.) Spirit Trail does the best silk blend spinning fiber I've ever encountered; her silk/merino is crisp and grabby without being difficult.

[jumpuphigh]

Thank you for the recs. I'll have to check them out.

[apis_mellifera]

I'm actually currently wearing a shawl made from Claudia's Silk Lace and it really is lovely--and it's a reddish purple and when I blocked it, it did not bleed. If any color is going to bleed, even from a reputable brand, it's going to be something with red in it. :)

Do you have a cite for your assertions about sari silk fabric? I've never heard that before--and I am not doubting you, I'd just like to read some more about the whys and wherefores of the process. My cousin goes to Bangladesh fairly frequently and I was going to ask her to bring some fabric back for me at some point, so I'd like a better handle on the subject.

[neotoma]

If you can get your hands on some, wash it with synthrapol -- it's what a lot of serious dyers use, and it will help get rid of any dye that didn't bond with the fabric.

If you're fortunate, there is a craft store in your area that carries it -- I've picked up small bottles at A C Moore in my area.

Also, pick up some latex gloves for handling fabric that you think will bleed when you wash them for the first time. Some dyes and mordants are rather harsh.

[natf]

This is great info! Thanks!

[jumpuphigh]

Easy peasy - Joann.com is having a free shipping with no minimum order for the next few hours so I ordered a bottle from them and it was on sale!

I have latex gloves. I just didn't think about using them. I will when I do the next wash. Thanks for suggesting it.

[wunnerwmn]

Though I'm a bit late here, as someone mentioned, Synthrapol is good - I wash all my fabric in it before sewing/quilting with it. Retayne is also good for red dyes. Both can often be found in quilt or sewing shops as well as online.

I just got some silk sari yarn and was interested to see this - good to know before I do anything with it.

[jumpuphigh]

I've gotten a lot of information from dwenizens here and I am glad the information is helpful for other people, too. I know that this post is about the problem I'm having with the yarn but I do love how it knits up. Hopefully, the Synthrapol will solve the problem and I'll be able to knit other stuff from it happily.