Does anyone know how to dye hemp twine. I have a ball of plain twine and would like to dye a few feet of it. What natural dyes would work well? I would prefer a good black or red, but only need a color that contrasts strongly with the undyed color. Thanks
natural dyes are subtle, for the most part. I'd go with analine dyes. THe hemp takes just like cotton, maybe a bit stronger (but not appreciably, in our experience, esp on non-white material.) pull off a few feet, up to 2 yards. Get a ziploc or a ready to be tossed sealable container. put in half a cup of dye and the cord use soda ash (activator) in a soak or in the dye. Make sure it gets used somewhere or this will be for naught. in the bag , squish it around for 20 min or so (shake a rigid container), then dispose of the dye. you can use the same container for the cure, 24 hours at 70 degrees or above. wash, hang dry and use.
I recognize the term "analine dye" from woodworking, but I don't know cloth as well as wood. Are you talking about Rit dye?
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rit is like the chipboard of teh dye world. You really don't want to use it! Procion MX www.dharmatrading.com
Rit is an intergalactic life form dedicated to dissolving fibers and leaving only pastel in its wake! really! my Procion dye told me so!
hello! i'm in exactly the same situation as u MikeE. I have't done anything yet but am going to try out an onion skin natural dye. boil some water and then chuck in lots of brown onion skins. (only the dry brown outer bits) boil it up, chuck some hemp in and leave it to steep. i don't remember what colour dye onions make but i'm sure that it is prolly fairly mild GOOD LUCK!!
