Why should the wool people have all the dyeing fun? Fiber reactive dyes are specifically designed for dyeing plant fibers: cotton, linen, rayon, hemp, ramie, bamboo - even rattan and nettle. The dyes are safe, light and color-fast, come in a huge rainbow of colors, and can dye anything that originally came from a plant.
Fiber reactive dyes are also referred to as cold-water dyes, because they do not require high temperatures to make the dyes permanent: no microwaves or boiling water required.
Unlike acid dyes, these dyes react in an alkaline environment, and so require the addition of a base instead of an acid to activate the dyes. My base-of-choice is soda ash (sodium carbonate). It's best to buy soda ash in its pure form from a dye supplier. However you find it, make sure it is pure and has no additives or anti-caking agents.
Dyeing the Yarns
Different fibers take dyes in differing amounts. Linen will dye a slightly different color than cotton, even if they are originally the same color. Rayon takes dye vigorously and will dye up in saturated colors. If you're trying to dye a fiber a particular color, experiment first.
The final color also depends on the original color of the yarn. Remember yellow plus blue makes green? If your original yarn is red and you dye it with blue, the yarn will become purple. Cream-colored yarn will always dye a little duller than white yarn. If you are looking for very bright colors, start with a bleached white yarn.
