Kool-aid dyeing question

[TanyaS]

I've dyed a set of playsilks once with kool-aid and they turned out great. I am going to do some more tomorrow, and I have a question. Last time, I dumped the water/vinegar mixture each time and started from scratch. Do I have to do that or can I just add more kool-aid to the mixture once the dye has been absorbed?

[alegna]

You don't need to add vinegar for koolaid. There's enough acid in there already.

-Anglea

[TanyaS]

I followed these directions and it said to use a cup of vinegar (I followed reeseccup's no microwave method). The last ones turned out great, but I was just hoping to save a step.

[Kodachrome]

Yeah, no need for the vinegar. But... if you personally feel it is aiding in the end results... I say stick with it.

Have you tried what you're asking in regard to just dumping more dye (kool-aid) into the water/vinegar mixture yet? If I were you, maybe drop a swatch of yarn in there to check it out. Kind of a toughy since you are working with silk, and there's no real way to test it.

Just throwing out some ideas... but interested to hear if it works or not.

[TanyaS]

I think I'm going to start with lighter colors and work my way up. If it doesn't work, then my kids just have some funny colored playsilks! I think I'll try it without the vinegar this time, too.

[eepster]

I'd keep the vinegar, I here it makes the silks more color fast. Your idea for just adding more dye stuffs sounds good.

[blastomom]

I just tried it, and it worked out well. I started with the bright blue, then did bright green, then red, then purple. Purple is muddy, but I think that's just how purple turns out. Oh, and I used vinegar. Better safe than sorry...