Talk to me about dying merino jumpers

[maybemyrtle]

I bought this jumper in the sales and although I love the style and shape, I'd get more use out of it if it were a different colour. The care label says I can machine wash at 30 so I guess Dylon hand dye would be fine. Has anyone dyed a merino jumper, how did it go, do I still need to think about stitching...?

I was thinking of a sort of beige/camel/tan or perhaps grey. Something boring and neutral but slightly more practical.

I've dyed merino a few times with Dylon hand dye. They're more of a faff than machine dyes cos you can't walk away and leave them. Some have turned out really well but as you say, sometimes the stitching doesn't dye, leaving that two tone effect. I doubt whether Zara would use wool stitching so that's quite likely to happen.

I only do it with things I'm unlikely to wear again so there's nothing to lose and I just dye a couple of tones darker in case the stitching doesn't take. It's good fun though - I quite enjoy not knowing how it's going to come out!

I agree a pale shade would be best. My feeling though is that it's too nice to ruin, so I wouldn't personally risk it.

Why not look out for one a similar shape but an everyday colour.

Hmm good point, thanks. Perhaps something like Dylon Pebble Beige then - have you tried that one?

It is lovely but it was a bit of a steal in the sale, and I bought it with the idea of dyeing it so I'm prepared to ruin it give it a whirl. Famous last words!

I've not tried Pebble Beige but I think I know the one you mean. Yes I'd say that one or perhaps a very pale grey, if they do one. Hope it turns out!

I am a serial dyer of cashmere, I did 4 items in the last few weeks. IME the colours tend to come out quite muted, but I generally go for darker colours. My favourite of the last batch is a cream jumper that I dyed with red and ended up a gorgeous muted raspberry red.

I'd say you'll be safe with a lighter colour

Thanks Flo. I'm wondering whether I could dilute Antique Grey to make it dye lighter but I don't want it to come out patchy. Pebble Beige is probably the safer bet.

Oh you are braver than me with the cashmere Milkthistle. Do you get any shrinkage?

No shrinkage. I use the hand dye, then rinse and slowish spin in the machine then dry flat on a towel. Make sure you have a decent sized container, i use a large shallow plastic box that usually houses lego! If the container is too small the jumper could be patchy.

I mix dyes to get the colour I want, pink and red gave me a deep pink, two shades of green to get the colour I was after, etc..

My all time favourite died at the end of last year. It was technically murder (perp was a moth). But think I'm on the wrong thread?

Milkthistle that's really useful re the container size, I'd not have thought of that. Thank you!

Wool usually dyes lighter than cotton, so whatever colour you use will be more muted than it shows on the packet, which is the colour on white cotton. I've used pebble beige, it's quite a peachy beige - fine if you like that kind of thing, but it's well to be prepared (I had to overdye, can't bear peach).

Milk - so clever, I love a little DIY on the clothing front.