Reverse Speckling and Direct Application Dye

Base yarn used is 80/20 Superwash Merino Nylon from Ashland Bay

Dyes used are a mix of Pro-Chem, Jacquard and Dharma Trading

Dharma: Flourescent Fuscia, Flourescent lemon, Purple Pop, Berry Crush, Bright Aqua

Jacquard: Spruce, Olive, Brown

Pro-Chem: Brilliant Violet, Jet Black, Turquoise

Citric Acid is used as a mordant (vinegar leaves a smell, is more expensive and doesn't yield great results for really deep color value).

Steamer, dye bottles, pans, double wide plastic wrap and syringes all sourced from Amazon

My own personal recipe for dye stock is: 5 grams dye (Tablespoon), 500 ml water (2 cups), Tablespoon of citric acid mixed with really hot water to dissolve everything. If you want a lighter color value, draw up more water and less dye, for really saturated colors, use pure stock.

Mixing dye stock with citric acid makes the dye "stick" where it lands quickly and cleanly. Only mordanting the base and not the dye can create over mixed, muddied colors. The only downside is that you have to use the dye within 72 hours or dump it. Brilliant blue, peacock blue, Cabernet and most reds will gel/cake/separate or lose color vibrancy within hours. According to the dye manufacturer, unused dye stock without citric acid can be stored for up to six months but that hasn't been my experience. I mix a fresh batch each dye session to ensure the brightest, boldest, most washfast colors possible.

Always steam set your yarn - microwaving it will create scorch spots and uneven colors. Even if you set it to half power and do it in 2 minute increments.