Before we can dye the yarn, it must be prepared to accept the dye. So let’s talk about mordants. A “mordant” is typically an inorganic oxide that combines with a dye to “fix it to the fibers’. This is to acheive the most durable and long lasting colors, which will otherwise fade or wash out.
There are two ways to mordant, pre-mordant the fibers before dyeing, or wait until after you’ve dyed the fibers and post-mordant. You will get different results depending on which you choose. Fortunately, the mordants you’ll need can be found commonly in your kitchen or around the house.
Pre-mordants are Alum and Creame of Tartar. First weigh the dry fibers, and then measure the alum and cream of tartar in proportion to the fiber’s weight. Example: 4 oz. of yarn to 1 1/2 teaspoons of alum and 1 1/2 teaspoons of cream of tartar. Before the mordant bath, soak the dry yarns in clean distilled water for 1 hour. Place the alum and cream of tartar in a cup with boiling water to dissolve. Add the dissolved mixture to the pot with enough water to cover your fiber and stir. Simmer at 180 degrees for 1 hour. Rinse fibers in clean water and hang to dry.
If you choose to post-mordant your yarn you would do so after it is dyed. Make a post-mordant bath by soaking the iron or pennies(copper) in distilled water for several days. After removing the yarn from the dye bath, add it to the post-mordant bath. This will change the color. Baking soda can be added directly to the dye bath. Yarn that’s been mordant can be stored for up to 6 months and still be effective. Next…. on to the dye baths.
