We all love working with bold, bright colours, but sometimes hand-dyed and even commercially-dyed yarns can experience running or bleeding during their first few washes.
If you are working with bold blues, reds and greens - or notice your project is running when you block or wash it, here’s what to do.
Use Vinegar:
Fill a basin or sink with cool water and add about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of white vinegar. Let your project soak for about 30 minutes, then gently rinse in cool water. Allow to dry, preferably in sunlight.
Use a Dye Catcher:
Add 1 - 3 dye catcher sheets to your initial blocking bath. These handy sheets capture dye as it bleeds, preventing it from running into other colours. These are especially useful when you are blocking a project that combines light and dark colours.
Find Dye Catchers here.
Use Steam:
Can your project skip the soaking step? If wet blocking isn’t strictly necessary, use steam to set your stitches and avoid getting it wet. There are few very projects you won’t want to wash eventually though, so consider loading up on supplies to manage that step when you do.
Avoid Silk:
Silk is especially susceptible to bleeding, so make a note when you plan a project using this fibre. Wash silk projects separately from other fibres, and be prepared to do multiple rinses to get the water to run clear. The result is so worth the effort!
Find silk and silk-blend yarns here.