More than 20 years ago when I was a member of the Prince George Fibre Arts Guild, a member of the Potty Dyers taught me this lovely method for multicolor dying. At the time the fashion was to try and replicate what was available commercially, which meant it was important that all of the fiber turned out exactly the same color. The revelation that you could get multiple colors in one diepot was amazing. It’s been a method I’ve been using ever since, to my great satisfaction. The key is to get just the right amount of water. You want just enough that the fiber is wet but not so much that it allows the die to move around easily. The other essential element is to use the dye powder, not the dye mixed into water. This does make it slightly more dangerous but if you’re already mixing your own acid dyes you’ve got the equipment that you need. Commercial acid dyes [the acid being vinegar] are chemicals that are known to cause neurological effects. Always use the appropriate dust mask, Do your dying out doors if you can, and on the windless day. You’d be surprised how far the die powders travel in just a breath of wind.
If you want to try it, soak your wool, put it in your pot, add vinegar and once the water is warm, add your dye powders in a quadrant, and don’t use all three primaries at once because that makes brown. Enjoy!
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