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home | the sheep | Chanticleer Shetlands | project photo gallery | our fiber
Lanaset Rainbows | fiber exchange notebooks | links

Lanaset Dyes
from Sheep Hollow Farm and Fiber

Sock Knitter's Dye Kit | Lanaset Dye Kit | Lanaset Dye Kit - II | Individual Dyes | Using Lanaset Dyes

What's in a name? In the late 1980s Lanaset dyes were concurrently sold as Telana Dyes by Cerulean Blue (a company no longer in business). Today they are sold as either Lanaset or Sabraset dyes, both are names for the same dye product.

Lanaset dyes produce jewel like colors on protein fibers with results that have excellent light fastness and wash fastness. (To see a small sampling of colors achieved using these dyes, look at the Lanaset Rainbows page or Our Fiber page.) Lanaset dyes are unique in that they are a combination of woo fiber reactive and acid dyes. They are safe and easy to use. The dye powders are non-toxic and the dye bath is as acidic as salad dressing.

The home dyer's approach to dyeing with Lanaset dyes can be very simple. Yet, if desired, a more technical approach may be used. If repeatable colors are preferred, follow the technical method being as precise as you feel necessary. Both approaches are discussed in length under Using Lanaset Dyes.

Sock Knitter's Dye Kit

Our Sock Knitter's Dye Kit has been developed for dyers using Lynne Vogel's book, The Twisted Sisters Sock Workbook. The book is published by Interweave Press, 2002, ISBN 1-931499-16-0 and is available on line and at fiber stores and booksellers.

The Sock Knitter's Dye Kit contains the basic set of eight colors Lynne suggests. The dyes are packaged in quantities used for preparing the stock solutions as described in the book. The kit contains: 4 level teaspoonfuls of yellow; 3 level teaspoonfuls of scarlet; and 2 level teaspoonfuls of each of the following - gold, red, violet, blue, turquoise and black.

Yikes, another postal rate hike, as of May 11, 2009. The kit price hasn't change and is still $16.00 plus $2.58 USPS first class shipping, $1.75 for insurance and $.80 for delivery confirmation: this is a total of $21.13. Please write or email for international shipping charges. Orders must be prepaid and in U.S. funds. Send checks or money orders, made payable to Julie Owens, to the address below. Credit card or cash payments may be made through PayPal <http://www.paypal.com>. We try to ship orders within twenty-four hours of receipt of payment or notification by PayPal, unless it is a weekend or holiday, when our local post office is closed.

email inquiries to: jkowens2001 at gmail dot com
please include "Sock Knitter's Dye Kit" in the subject line

Lanaset Dye Kit -- I

email inquiries to: jkowens2001 at gmail dot com
please include "Lanaset Dye Kit" in the subject line

Lanaset Dye Kit -- II

In August, 2005, PRO Chemical and Dye company introduced eight new Lanaset colors. We've created a new kit which has the new colors plus the two Lanaset colors not included in our first Lanaset Dye Kit.

Our Lanaset Dye Kit contains 1/4 ounce each of ten different Lanaset dye powders (Bright Orange, Pumpkin Spice, Denim, Chartreuse, Rust, Green Gold, Spearmint, Iris, Deep Violet and Orange). This is enough to dye 11.7 pounds of protein fiber a medium depth of shade. The kit also includes dyed yarn samples (dyed a medium depth of shade) and instructions for both the easy and the scientific dyeing methods.

Yikes, another postal rate hike, as of May 11, 2009. The kit price hasn't change and is still $26.20 plus $2.58 USPS first class shipping, $1.75 for insurance and $.80 for delivery confirmation: this is a total of $31.33. Please write or email for international shipping charges. Orders must be prepaid and in U.S. funds. Send checks or money orders, made payable to Julie Owens, to the address below. Credit card or cash payments may be made through PayPal <http://www.paypal.com>. We try to ship orders within twenty-four hours of receipt of payment or notification by PayPal, unless it is a weekend or holiday, when our local post office is closed.

Make checks or money orders payable to:.	Julie Owens
Mail to:.	Julie Owens Sheep Hollow Farm and Fiber 24551 S. Metzler Park Road Estacada, OR 97023

email inquiries to: jkowens2001 at gmail dot com
please include "Lanaset Dye Kit" in the subject line

Individual Dyes

Due to the cost of the various materials comprising each color, Lanaset dyes are not all priced the same. All dyes listed below are in 1/2 ounce put ups. (See colors below chart.)

To Order Dyes

To order dyes, total the cost per half-ounce unit. Insurance is $1.75 for up to $50 and $2.25 for up to $100, tracking is $.80. Postal rates are zip code based, so email for correct postage rates. Parcels under one pound will go out first class. Heavier parcels can go either priority or parcel post. Shipping rates are only slightly lower but delivery times longer when shipped parcel post. Orders must be prepaid and in U.S. funds. Send checks or money orders, made payable to Julie Owens, to the address below. Credit card or cash payments may be made through PayPal. Orders are shipped within twenty-four hours of receipt of payment or notification by PayPal, unless it is a weekend or holiday, when our local post office is closed.

email inquiries to: jkowens2001 at gmail dot com
please include "dyes" in the subject line

Using Lanaset Dyes

Accessory Chemicals | The Simple Approach | The Technical Approach

Before You Start

As powders (dyestuff or otherwise) are irritants when inhaled, it is advised that a dust mask be worn while handling dyes in the powdered state. Use rubber gloves to keep your skin it's normal color. All dye utensils should be used only for dyeing, do not use them for cooking. Work in a well ventilated area, the dye pot vapors are acidic and may irritate nasal passages. Dyers who are sensitive to fumes or are frequently dyeing might want to wear a vapor respirator.

Lanaset dyes work at their optimum in a dye bath with a pH of 4.5. If the pH goes above 5.5 (not acidic enough), dye take up stops and the dye bath will not exhaust. This can be corrected by adding more acid. If the dye bath is too acidic, dye is very rapidly absorbed by the fiber, uneven take up will result and the fiber may take on a harsh feel. The pH can be measured with pH test papers, these are available in a wide variety. For Lanaset dyes, use a narrow range of acid test paper which reads from about pH 3.5 to 6.5.

NOTE: Water sources differ world wide, from community to community, from well to well. Local chemicals in the water may affect the pH of the water, some being more acidic or basic than others. It is therefore helpful to use test papers whenever you change water sources.

Use a dye pot that is big enough to hold the fiber without crowding. Remember that shocking many animals fibers with sudden temperature changes may cause felting. The temperature of the dye bath at the time of fiber immersion should be close to the temperature of the pre-soak water.

Accessory Chemicals for Lanaset Dyeing

Albegal SET -- a leveling agent used to help achieve an even color by slowing the rate at which dye molecules attach to the fiber which aids in dye exhaustion. It also helps the dye penetrate the fiber strands. Used at 1% Weight Of Fiber (WOF x 0.01) to be dyed.

Glauber's salt (sodium sulfate) -- a leveling agent used to help achieve an even dye color. With Lanaset/Sabraset dyes, it is used with Albegal SET. Level dyeing of pale colors (lower Depths of Shade) is more difficult to achieve and more Glauber's salt is needed (10% of weight of goods to be dyed - WOF x 0.10). On the other hand, for very deep values, no salt is needed.

Sodium Acetate -- a pH buffer. In some waters and under some conditions, the pH of a dye bath may drift from the original 4.5 up toward neutral (pH 7) at the end of dyeing. If it rises as high as 5.0, I would add sodium acetate in subsequent dye baths to hold the dye bath in range. It is used at a rate of 2 grams per liter or in "The Simple Approach" below, use from 1/2 to 1 ounce for 3 1/2 gallons of water. Used at 2% WOF.

Acetic Acid -- is available in many concentrations: glacial acetic acid is 100%, the most common acetic acid is 56%, but strengths of 28% and 14% are also available. Household distilled white vinegar is the same acetic acid at 5%. If you are following a recipe that calls for 56% acetic acid, vinegar can be substituted, using 11 times the amount called for and reducing the water volume accordingly. Acetic acid is a harsh chemical and the stronger concentrations can cause burns. Unless you do an enormous amount of dyeing, use vinegar. It is safer and easier to come by, but in the long run, more costly. At Sheep Hollow, we find that even though we do large amounts of dyeing, we prefer to work with the distilled white vinegar. We just buy it at Costco by the case..

The Simple Approach

This recipe will dye 1 pound of fiber, yarn or cloth a medium shade and calls for the following:

1 pound fiber
3 1/2 gallons water
1 scant tsp Albegal SET (1 tsp = 4.9 ml - need 4.5 ml) (optional)
1 cup Glauber's salt or non-iodized table salt (either is optional)
2 tsp Sodium acetate (if needed)
2 teaspoons dye powder
2 cups distilled white vinegar

For darker shades, use more dye powder; for lighter shades, use less. For smaller amounts of fiber, reduce the amounts of dye and salt; for more fiber, increase water, vinegar, salt and dye.

NOTE: Here we don't use Albegal SET, salt or sodium acetate. Most often we are dyeing wool locks and have not noticed any uneven dyeing unless we don't follow our own instructions. When dyeing yarns or yard goods, make sure that there is plenty of room in the dye bath for the fiber to swim in. Also, when tying the hanks of yarn, make fairly loose figure-eight ties in several places to help prevent unnecessary tangling.

1) Pre-soak the fiber so that it is thoroughly wet. Dry spots in the fiber will cause uneven dyeing.

2) Make a paste of the dye by dissolving it in a tablespoon of hot water in a small container. Then slowly add a cup of hot water to the paste while stirring.

3) Optional: add the Glauber's salt and sodium acetate and stir to dissolve.

4) Put the 3 gallons water in a 4 gallon non-reactive (stainless steel or enamelware) pot, add the vinegar. (Optional: test for pH and adjust as necessary.) NOTE: If you use more water, you need to add more vinegar proportionately.

5) Add the dissolved dye and stir.

6) Add the wetted fiber to the dye bath. Slowly raise the temperature to simmer, for silk do not raise above 190°F as fiber damage may occur at higher temperatures. Take 30 to 45 minutes, gently stirring every 5 minutes or so. Once the desired temperature is reached, hold for 30 to 45 minutes, gently stirring from time to time.

7) Remove from heat and allow to cool in dye bath for 30 or more minutes. Remove from dye bath while warm.

8) Gently wash the fiber in warm soapy water; rinse in water of the same temperature; air dry.

When dyeing is complete, the dye bath should be almost clear. A 95-98% exhaustion is possible with most Lanaset colors. Before discarding dye bath water, neutralize it with about a half cup of washing soda or about 2 cups Regular Household ammonia.

The More Technical Approach
(using metric measurements for ease in math calculations)

Stock Solutions

Why stock solutions? Stock solutions are easier to measure than dye powders especially in small quantities. Some color recipes call for three or more colors in varying quantities. If you are dyeing multiple batches, it is easier to reproduce the same color when measuring fluids.

Lanaset dyes are often sold in 1/2 ounce quantities. This makes mixing a stock solution fairly simple as no measuring of powder is necessary. However, it is advisable to wear at least a dust and pollen mask for protection while handling the dye in powder form.

Stock solutions are expressed as a percentage such as a 1% stock solution. This figure is based on the weight of the dye powder and the volume of the water it is dissolved in. For example, a 1% stock solution is 1 ounce of dye powder dissolved in 100 ounces of water or 1/2 ounce of dye powder dissolved in 50 ounces of water. Most sources of dye recipes use a 1% stock solution. Here at Sheep Hollow, we use a 2% stock solution as it takes less storage space. the 1/2 ounce of dye powder is dissolved in only 25 ounces of water and recipes are adjusted accordingly. The smaller volume permits the use of quart sized mason jars for stock solution storage.

The manufacture of Lanaset dyes states that the stock solution will be good for six months and the powders good for four years. It has been our experience (and that of many other dyers as well) that if stored in a cool, dark place, stock solutions will last considerably longer. They should not be allowed to freeze.

How to Make a Stock Solution

It is best to use either glass or stainless steel when working with dyes as neither substance will react to the dye or the acid. Utensils used for dyeing should not be used for food preparation.

These instructions make a 1% stock solution. Place 1/2 ounce dry dye powder in a half gallon, non-reactive, heat proof container. Fill a 1 quart measuring cup with 25 ounces of boiling water. Pour just a little of this water on the dye powder and make a paste. When the dye powder is thoroughly wetted, slowly pour in the rest of the water while stirring the paste. Add an additional 25 ounces of water (this need not be heated). You now have 50 ounces of water in which 1/2 ounce of dye powder has been dissolved ... a 1% stock solution.

If you are using 1/4 ounce of dye powder (as from the Lanaset Dye Kits), you follow the above procedure using a one quart container, 12 ounces boiling water and 13 ounces additional water, to produce a 1% stock solution.

Depth of Shade

In dyeing, the depth of shade (DOS) expresses the lightness or darkness a color. The DOS determines how much stock solution is needed to dye a specified weight of fiber.

0.1% DOS very pale 0.5% DOS light 1.0% DOS medium 1.5% DOS medium dark

2.0% DOS dark 3.0% DOS very dark 5.0% DOS very, very dark (used to get jet black)

Amount of Glauber's Salt Needed (if using)

0.1% DOS - 10% WOF 0.5% DOS - 5% WOF 1.0% DOS - 3% WOF 1.5% DOS - 2.5% WOF 2.0% DOS - 2.5% WOF over 2.0% DOS, none needed

Percentage of Color and Formulas

Percentages of color are used to insure that you can reproduce a given color repeatedly ... like dyelots in yarn. A 100% of color uses only one stock solution. For example: 100% red. To create an orange you may need 75% yellow and 25% red. (Think of it as a recipe, the whole finished product is 100% but the ingredients were 3/4 C of ingredient "A" and 1/4 C of ingredient "B".) Keep dye records and snippets of finished fiber for a handy reference tool.

Dye formulas are just recipes. Most sources of dye formulas start with the assumption that to dye one pound (450 gm) of fiber a medium color (1% DOS) you need to use 450 ml dye stock in a 1% stock solution. All of the recipes below start with this premise as well.

For example: one dye formula for "brick red" is 90% R (red), 5.5% YG (yellow gold) and 4.5% RB (royal blue). How do we use this recipe? For 450 gm (1 lb) fiber, creating a 1% DOS (medium color), 450 ml dye is needed. 90% of the dye is to be R (405 ml), 5.5% is YG (24.75 ml) and 4.5% is RB (20.25 ml). The following tables show three recipes for "brick red".

COLOR: brick red DOS: 1.0% Fiber: wool Fiber Wt.: 1 pound Dye Colors Percent ml of dye Yellow Gold 5.5 % 24.75 Red 90.0 % 405.00 Royal Blue 4.5 % 20.25 Totals 100 % 450 mls

COLOR: brick red DOS: 1.0% Fiber: wool Fiber Wt.: .75 pound Dye Colors Percent ml of dye Yellow Gold 5.5 % 18.56 Red 90.0 % 303.75 Royal Blue 4.5 % 15.19 Totals 100 % 337.5 mls

COLOR: brick red DOS: 1.5% Fiber: wool Fiber Wt.: 1 pound Dye Colors Percent ml of dye Yellow Gold 5.5% 37.13 Red 90.0% 607.50 Royal Blue 4.5% 30.37 Totals 100 % 675.0 mls

Technical Recipe

This recipe will dye 1 pound (450 gm) of fiber, yarn or cloth a medium shade and calls for the following:

3 1/2 gallons water (see note below)
450 ml dye (1% stock solution) (achieves a 1% DOS, or medium color)
9 gm Glauber's salt (2% of the weight of fiber) (optional)
4.9 ml Albegal SET (optional)
9 gm Sodium acetate (if needed ) (optional)
500 ml distilled white vinegar (test with pH papers and adjust to reach a 4.5 pH)
12.5 to 25 gm sodium acetate (see Accessory Chemicals above)

1) Pre-soak fiber so that it is thoroughly wet. Dry spots in the fiber will cause uneven dyeing.

2) Put the 3 1/2 gallons water in a 4 gallon non-reactive (stainless steel or enamelware) pot.

3) Add the Glauber's salt and sodium acetate (if using), stir to dissolve.

4) Add the vinegar and test for pH, adjust as necessary.

5) Add the pre-measured dye and stir.

6) Add fiber to dye bath. Slowly raise temperature to simmer, for silk do not raise the temperature above 190°F as fiber damage may occur at higher temperatures. Take 30 to 45 minutes, gently stirring every 5 minutes or so. Once desired temperature is reached, hold for 30 to 45 minutes, gently stirring from time to time.

7) Remove from heat and allow to cool in dye bath for 30 or more minutes. Remove from dye bath while warm.

8) Gently wash fiber in warm soapy water; rinse in water of the same temperature; air dry.

When dyeing is complete, the dye bath should be almost clear. A 95-98% exhaustion is possible with most Lanaset colors. Before discarding dye bath water, neutralize it with about a half cup of washing soda or about 2 cups Regular Household ammonia.

NOTE: If you use a larger dye pot and more water, additional acid is needed to reach the pH of 4.5 as diluting the acid with more water will change the pH.

home | the sheep | Chanticleer Shetlands | project photo gallery | our fiber
Lanaset Rainbows | fiber exchange notebooks | links