Rit dying wool?

[Covey]

I was wondering how you guy's do this? it say's to use hot water but that ain't gonna work! a little advice from all you dedicated wool guy's would be great! Thank's, Jason

[lpcjon2]

I have done this with other clothes an I dont use very hot water the whole key is the salt.FYI I made asat type pattern with black liquid shoe polish and it worked great.

[jcar315]

I use Rit dye mixed with alcohol to dye wood shafts....no clue if it would work on wool but at least it's not water.

curious to see where this one leads myself. Good question.

[Follower]

You can use the powder or the liquid.  I do it in the sink using hot water - have not had a problem.  Once you dye it, block it with towels and lay it out to dry - may take a few days depending on the weather and humidity.  The tighter the weave of the wool, the longer you need to leave it in the dye.  You can take ragg wool knit and dye it in just a few minutes.  I dyed my KOM blowdown and it just barely took enough dye to tone down the lightest color in the camo pattern to just a shade more brown which works well here in Alabama where we never hunt in any snow.  If you are going to do something big and expensive, I recommend you test it on a corner before doing the whole garment.

I've never tried to do any patterns.  I wonder if using the tye-dye method would work with two colors.

[Fletcher]

If you are concerned with shrinkage, the hot water won't do it.  Agitation and a quick change to cold water will.  Follow the directions, let it cool slowly in the water, wring it dry or spin it out in the washer and you will do fine.

[wollelybugger]

Go to Dharmas Trading Co., They sell special dyes for dying wool. They even have a line where they will help you with the process and tell you what you need.

[Stone Knife]

I have tried it and had decent results, I did a beige sweater that I wanted black to wear in my blind. It turned out kind of dark purple. If I do it again I would use a box and a half of dye let it soak most of the day wear rubber gloves and agitate it on occasion. Use cold water in a wash tub outdoors, rinse in cold water, I put a little vinegar in mine I'm not sure if that helped at all. I put a broomstick through the arms and hung it up like that.