To think I can successfully dye a hand knitted shawl?

[Flossyfloof]

Waaah! I have just finished a huge hand-knitted shawl, washed it carefully by hand and put it on the electric airer. Forgot to switch it off last night and consequently it is scorched. Some areas are not too bad but it cannot. Be given in this state. I was thinking about trying a Dylon dye, lemon being th obvious choice if they make it. In the olden days we used to dye things a lot - but do you think it wil, take? Is yellow the best choice? (worst scorch marks are quite yellow, better ones are pale lemon. I could cry.

what is the material, wool, or synthetic?

dying stuff is really unreliable on synthetics.

Sadly, it is polyester.

You can't dye polyester!

I am the Queen of Dylon, and can confirm that polyester doesn't take dye, though if it is a mix, the natural fibres will take it.

However, if sequins wouldn't look out of place on the colour and style, you could stitch on some sequins "randomly" in the scorched places and elsewhere to give it a bit of glitter? You can get quite subtle sequins, e.g. translucent, with colour.

Thanks fab idea but the scorch marks are long and very visible, not just little patches.

polyester has to be dyed at higher temps than boiling. it's really rather hard to dye.

i'd be tempted to give it a cold water bath and see if the burnt bits wash away. might help a bit.

Oh I feel for you. Such a lot of work. I'm a knitter too and I remember crying when baby DD's feather and fan stitch cardigan was tumble dried it was 20 years ago but I'm over it now

Have you tried to wash the shawl again?

Perhaps washing it with something like Glowhite would work. Then wash it again in non-bio/stergene/hand wash stuff.

If you were thinking of dying it lemon, I assume it's white? Why not try a bit of diluted bleach?

Picture?

Can you try and get rid of the scorch marks with a bit of white vinegar, OP? Or failing that, a couple of drops of hydrogen peroxide followed by a couple of drops of ammonia. Repeat for the next hour or so (a hydro perox and ammonia combo should get rid of anything).
If all else fails, you can get stovetop dyes for polyester fabrics.

Sorry, pressed post too soon. Try this: www.thedyeshop.co.uk/acatalog/Polyester_Dyes.html

You could try vinegar, dab it with a white cloth, it might work.
Failing that, diluted bleach.
If you have any yarn left, knit up a swatch first and do the bleach
/ vinegar test.
If the yarn has any wool in it, don't use bleach, as it will dissolve it.

If you have any yarn left are you able to knot in, thread through and replace the marked parts?

Thanks so much you clever things, for your ideas. No question of covering the marks. They are long, go up the length of the shawl, about 2/3 of the way up. Less onvious on the other side but still has gone through. I wil try the vinegar but am not hopeful. I might donate it to the dogs' home, Unless anyone fancies a beautiful hand-knitted Orange shawl? Is orange a good colour for babies this year?

I will give the peroxide a go as well, when the hairdresser comes!

uglyswan, thank you for that polyester dye link!

Paula Church is a fount of knowledge when it comes to dyes. Her blog/website is here

you're welcome, pluCa - good luck!