[lesliesara63]

In all the posts I've read the instructions all call for the microwave. Can you just heat them on the stove? We own way more stock pots than glass bowls! Plus I think the colour would be more even in the bigger pots.

 

[alegna]

yep.

Works fine.

-Angela

 

[Momalea]

We don't have a microwave so I've always dyed them on the stove top with no problems. It works great the only drawbacks are that it probably takes longer and you just can't get the cool tye-dye effect.

 

[lesliesara63]

How long do they need to simmer? Same amount of water? I have a lot to do for gifts, maybe I'll have the stove and microwave going.

 

[alegna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesliesara63 How long do they need to simmer? Same amount of water? I have a lot to do for gifts, maybe I'll have the stove and microwave going.

I use more water on the stove. They don't need long to simmer- 5 minutes?

-Angela

 

[SleeplessMommy]

I use (empty) yogurt containers in the microwave. (the large ones) That way if you have 5 colors, you can use 5 yogurt containers.

 

[RollerCoasterMama]

Ooh! Stove top can be pretty. Check this one:
https://flic.kr/p/3047496694
It was just simmered for a while with a bunch of boring old tea bags! I adore the color (it's wet in the picture--not really that shimmery) and I am planning on doing a couple more to use as window hangings in our play area!

I keep trying to think of other organic things to simmer on the stove top. Until then it's koolaid.

 

[Momalea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesliesara63 How long do they need to simmer? Same amount of water? I have a lot to do for gifts, maybe I'll have the stove and microwave going.

I simmer until the silky has absorbed most or all of the dye from the water. I use enough water so that the silky is totally covered. I couldn't say exactly how long it takes per silky to dye them, it seems to me it depends on how hot the water is/how much dye is in the water and how long it takes for the dye to be absorbed.

Have fun! We've got a box full of silkies in all shapes/sizes/colors. We have also given many as gifts and they are all happily received.

 

[colleengun]

if you have not done them yet, these were the instructions from another thread that i followed. it worked great! I streamlined them by skipping the cooling and first soak. just right in the pot with dye vinegar and water, then once it was quite hot i let it sit till it was the desired color.
http://www.pieknits.blogspot.com/200...icing-dye.html

 

[lesliesara63]

I did some tonight and they turned out great. The only thing I didn't do was rinse them. Some sites said to rinse and others not. I guess I'll see what happens if I have to wash them.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...i/IMG_1180.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...i/IMG_1182.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...i/IMG_1181.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...i/IMG_1183.jpg

 

[Momalea]

Beautiful!

 

[jennica]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momalea We don't have a microwave so I've always dyed them on the stove top with no problems. It works great the only drawbacks are that it probably takes longer and you just can't get the cool tye-dye effect.

I got the tye-dye effect by placing 3 canning jars into a stock pot full of water on the stove. That way I could do three different colors with one pot, and the tye-dye effect was a fortunate side effect.

Also, I tried the crock-pot and that worked great (on high, heated up for about an hour before dying). Even better then the stove top because the temp was stable the whole time and I didn't have to worry about it at all. Next I'll try putting the canning jars in the crock pot and see how that works.

 

[sanguine_speed]

I do ours on stovetop:

While setting up dye, put silk into a large pot with 2 or so cups of vinegar.

In another pot, fill with hot water, add 2 cups vinegar, and food colouring or KoolAid packets. Add silk, and constantly move it around. I like to use tongs so I can 'unfold' parts that overlap when dyeing larger silks. Once most of the colour is absorbed (you can tell since the water becomes more and more translucent until it stops changing), remove from pot and rinse under cold water in the sink until it runs clear (doesn't take long).

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s...d/DSC_4638.jpg
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s.../dyedsilks.jpg