I have dyed with the pits and skins. The first time I got brownish pink. Now I can get a beautiful dusty pink. The ph information is new to me. Thank you. Now I’m going to have to make guacamole a staple again. (I did start out drying pits and skins. Might be why I got brown tones; but with the correct ph you could still get pink. Like you say try it and see what happens. I love over dying for the skins that don’t turn out to my liking. Just found your channel. Saw the one with your mom and the mushroom dye bath. Wonderful video!
Thank you so much for making this video and all your other great videos on natural dyeing. For my first ever dyeing project, I started my avocado pit dye bath on Friday and just now (Tuesday) put my yarn into the dye bath. Your videos helped me easily figure out the scouring and mordant processes! This would definitely not have gone as smoothly had I not had your videos. Thanks again!
Funny thing is I ended up on your channel searching for information on textiles for the D&D campaign I'm currently writing! Next in-person session I'll be sure to bring a bowl of guacamole in your honour 😁
This is so great! I read this comment aloud to my family before we sat down to our most recent, epic, exhausting weekend battle. (So glad we had a lot of left over T'giving pie!)
Thank you for this fabulous video. About to get started. I have two questions please. Planning on dying cotton and linen fabric. Same steps (ph9 bath & alum treatment) for plant fibers?, and second question, If I find that I do not have enough fluid in my dye bath to cover the fabric can I add more water until I do? Thank you.
I've only dyed wool with avocado pits, so I can't say with 100% certainty that the process I use will work the same on a plant fiber. When it comes to amount of fluid - yes- you can add more water to cover the fabric. More water will not dilute the color. I'd be cautious and simmer the dye for a little bit after the addition of new water, so that it's brought to the right temperature, ect. Good luck!
You are fun to watch so thanks! I have a cupboard* full of dry pits that I have been saving up for a class I plan to teach in April. So I really enjoyed the addition of the 4-Day method. I have planned for a 2 day workshop so I will get things started a few days earlier. Again, I love your style. And I am going to start a test of the 4-Day heat and reheat method today. ~Marie P.S. The music was too loud. *O.K. not full, but lots and lots.
I tried a couple of times to dye fiber and also used the same dye on some yarn. The yarn came out great, but the color in the fiber completely rinsed out. I was so disappointed. Not sure why it did that. I may have to get some more avocados and try again. I did use the washing soda and also tried alum.
I don't measure the water. My rule of thumb is that you want enough water for the fiber to move freely in the dye. That usually means pilling the pot 3/4 full.
Thank you so much for the video, I want to do it this way! Do you know if the color will change when I wash it with regular water ph 7? I wonder if it will go back to the original ph 7 tone...
Victoria Andino Pavlovsky - I haven’t noticed a color change when I’ve washed it or when it soaked while I blocked it for a knit shawl. I like this question!
This is such a great video - thank you! However, Im wondering what the reasoning is behind adding the washing soda and worrying about the PH level of the bath? Will the result still be as lovely with the same amount of pits, skins, timing, etc. but omitting the washing soda and PH checks?
Adding washing soda increases the alkalinity of the dye bath. When mixed with a high heat, a high alkaline dye bath can be harsh on the wool (make it rough). The pH checks are helpful for monitoring the bath and for your notes. I haven't made the same tone of pink without an alkaline bath. I hope that helps. Good luck!
Gutsy & Delicious - Good question! I’ve only used washing soda with the avocado dye, therefore I don’t know from experience if baking soda works as well. However, I did once use baking soda (by accident!) on another dye to make it alkaline, and it did change the color.
@@MyraMadeColor I did use baking soda and it worked to shift the ph and the color (I got peachy tones, though, but my dye bath was already not pink to begin with. not sure if it's the type of avocados, the water, the fact that I didn't create my bath over several days but only through a few hours of simmering...)
I know that some dyers use a crock pot (slow cooker). I've only used my stainless steel pots, so I can't speak from experience. Just make sure you don't use it for food after you've used it for dyes! For temperature, keep it under 175. The key is to not let it boil. Good luck!
This video was very helpful 😊 How many figure eight ties, if any, do you use to keep your yarn from tangling? I use figure eight ties with my skeins, but if I add more than one skein of 100g yarn into my 20 qt dyepot, they almost always tangle. Any suggestions?
You don't want it to reach a "high" heat regardless... heat will break down the compounds that are coloring your fiber (especially reds and yellows) and leave you with "boring" greens, greys, and browns... This is applicable to ALL natural dye materials...
You do need to watch the heat of a bath to prevent a boil, which can kill color. Some dyes are especially sensitive to heat. However, I’ve had no issue bringing most dye baths up to a simmer, a term often used in dye books.
Kieran Sartor Yes, I mordant the wool with alum. For light exposure, my color has lasted well for the last few years. (Although, all natural dyes do eventually fade.) For washing, because I use my yarn in knitwear, I don’t wash it often. So I don’t have personal experience, but I’ve heard it holds up well. Hopefully someone else can chime in!
It really depends on the dye material and your goal color. Some dyes are very sensitive to an acidic or alkaline dye, while others are not. With avocado pits/stones, the higher pH pulls out the pinker shades.
Not really the strength of color. They will dye the fiber without shifting the pH. However, the results are more in the mauve family. The alkaline dye bath pulls out the pinker tones creating a brighter, clear pink. I hope that helps!
From what I have seen on other YT channels the pits are more orangey and the skins are more pink. Try switching to only skins, maybe? I haven't tested it myself. If that doesn't work it could be the avocado variety itself that gives orange instead of pink. Apparently different varieties give different hues.
Darn, I'm not sure why. It could be that the dye isn't alkaline enough. The pink color depends on that shift in pH. pH strips are helpful in measuring the the alkalinity of the dye bath, so I recommend using them if you aren't already. . Good luck!
Mine turned out light tan, kind of like a fawn brown. I didn't use washing soda though, and my pits and peels were dried. It's a bit disappointing as my sister wanted pink yarn, not tan.
Michael Rustebakke Tan is disappointing, sorry to hear that! Making the dye alkaline with washing soda (or household ammonia) is an important part of this dye process. I don’t achieve pink without it.
I’ve been saving pits and the skins for months now. I just let them dry and have them in a bag , not in freezer, I, going to try a big pot with pits and skins. Just see what happens. Might be making a mistake, don’t know.
Some people use pits and skins and have great results. I think a lot depends on the seeds themselves. We only have so much control when working with natural material. And hey, I still make mistakes. It’s all part of the process. Good luck!
This is hands down the best avocado dye video I've seen so far. Absolutely the most gorgeous shade of pink ever.
Thanks so much 😊
I have dyed with the pits and skins. The first time I got brownish pink. Now I can get a beautiful dusty pink. The ph information is new to me. Thank you. Now I’m going to have to make guacamole a staple again. (I did start out drying pits and skins. Might be why I got brown tones; but with the correct ph you could still get pink. Like you say try it and see what happens. I love over dying for the skins that don’t turn out to my liking. Just found your channel. Saw the one with your mom and the mushroom dye bath. Wonderful video!
Thank you so much for making this video and all your other great videos on natural dyeing. For my first ever dyeing project, I started my avocado pit dye bath on Friday and just now (Tuesday) put my yarn into the dye bath. Your videos helped me easily figure out the scouring and mordant processes! This would definitely not have gone as smoothly had I not had your videos. Thanks again!
You are so welcome!
im so happy I found your channel. your videos are amazing. hard to come across content like yours on UA-cam. thanks a lot for these videos
Glad you like them!
Worked well Myra, great instructions. Take care.
Glad to hear it! Thanks for sharing.
Amazing video! I think it was the best explained one! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much!
Funny thing is I ended up on your channel searching for information on textiles for the D&D campaign I'm currently writing! Next in-person session I'll be sure to bring a bowl of guacamole in your honour 😁
This is so great! I read this comment aloud to my family before we sat down to our most recent, epic, exhausting weekend battle. (So glad we had a lot of left over T'giving pie!)
Thank you for teaching us!
Okay so she dyes things and she likes DND. I'm in.
Great explanation! Thanks
Thank you for this fabulous video. About to get started. I have two questions please. Planning on dying cotton and linen fabric. Same steps (ph9 bath & alum treatment) for plant fibers?, and second question, If I find that I do not have enough fluid in my dye bath to cover the fabric can I add more water until I do?
Thank you.
I've only dyed wool with avocado pits, so I can't say with 100% certainty that the process I use will work the same on a plant fiber. When it comes to amount of fluid - yes- you can add more water to cover the fabric. More water will not dilute the color. I'd be cautious and simmer the dye for a little bit after the addition of new water, so that it's brought to the right temperature, ect. Good luck!
Thank you so much for your inspiration 💕
You are so welcome!
You are fun to watch so thanks! I have a cupboard* full of dry pits that I have been saving up for a class I plan to teach in April. So I really enjoyed the addition of the 4-Day method. I have planned for a 2 day workshop so I will get things started a few days earlier. Again, I love your style. And I am going to start a test of the 4-Day heat and reheat method today. ~Marie P.S. The music was too loud. *O.K. not full, but lots and lots.
dogsinolga Thank you for the feedback!
Came for the avocado pit dye, stayed for the D&D reference
Always happy to hear that!
I tried a couple of times to dye fiber and also used the same dye on some yarn. The yarn came out great, but the color in the fiber completely rinsed out. I was so disappointed. Not sure why it did that. I may have to get some more avocados and try again. I did use the washing soda and also tried alum.
That sounds frustrating!
I’m excited to try this with wool roving. One question - About how much water did you start with in the pot for simmering the pits?
I don't measure the water. My rule of thumb is that you want enough water for the fiber to move freely in the dye. That usually means pilling the pot 3/4 full.
Is a mordant not necessary? What does it look like with an alum mordant? Great video though!
I do use an alum mordant with this dye.
So good to know. Thank you!@@MyraMadeColor
I love this! Although I’m getting a brown colour in my dye bath 😢
Bummer! Sometimes it's the avocado pits. Also make sure you have an alkaline bath. My dyes sometimes don't work, you have to keep trying. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the video, I want to do it this way! Do you know if the color will change when I wash it with regular water ph 7? I wonder if it will go back to the original ph 7 tone...
Victoria Andino Pavlovsky - I haven’t noticed a color change when I’ve washed it or when it soaked while I blocked it for a knit shawl. I like this question!
Thank you so much! I'm in the second day of simmering the pits right now :) can't wait
Really helpful! Thanks a lot
Does anyone know if this guy will work the same on linen fabric as it does on yarn?
I haven't dyed fabric with avocado pits but I know that a lot of other dyers have. I suggest try it on a sample and see what happens. Good luck!
This is such a great video - thank you! However, Im wondering what the reasoning is behind adding the washing soda and worrying about the PH level of the bath? Will the result still be as lovely with the same amount of pits, skins, timing, etc. but omitting the washing soda and PH checks?
Adding washing soda increases the alkalinity of the dye bath. When mixed with a high heat, a high alkaline dye bath can be harsh on the wool (make it rough). The pH checks are helpful for monitoring the bath and for your notes. I haven't made the same tone of pink without an alkaline bath. I hope that helps. Good luck!
@@MyraMadeColor very helpful. Thank you
Could you use baking soda?
Gutsy & Delicious - Good question! I’ve only used washing soda with the avocado dye, therefore I don’t know from experience if baking soda works as well. However, I did once use baking soda (by accident!) on another dye to make it alkaline, and it did change the color.
@@MyraMadeColor I did use baking soda and it worked to shift the ph and the color (I got peachy tones, though, but my dye bath was already not pink to begin with. not sure if it's the type of avocados, the water, the fact that I didn't create my bath over several days but only through a few hours of simmering...)
starcrossing Thanks so much for sharing, that’s good to know!
Hi Myra, can I use a crockpot to do all my dyeing in? I have a thermometer, just let me know what temp I should get my dye bath to. Thanks
I know that some dyers use a crock pot (slow cooker). I've only used my stainless steel pots, so I can't speak from experience. Just make sure you don't use it for food after you've used it for dyes! For temperature, keep it under 175. The key is to not let it boil. Good luck!
Is it color fast or does it need a mordant?
I always use an alum mordant.
This video was very helpful 😊 How many figure eight ties, if any, do you use to keep your yarn from tangling? I use figure eight ties with my skeins, but if I add more than one skein of 100g yarn into my 20 qt dyepot, they almost always tangle. Any suggestions?
Turtlemelon Crafts Thank you! I like to add four ties to my skeins and try to stir carefully. I hope that helps!
@@MyraMadeColor Thank you! I will do that👍🏾😊
Do you use super wash wool?
Yes - I use super wash and non super wash with my natural dyes.
Thanks for the videos. And THREE CHEERS FOR RPGs.
Yes! Our family has been in an epic battle all weekend! ⚔️
You don't want it to reach a "high" heat regardless... heat will break down the compounds that are coloring your fiber (especially reds and yellows) and leave you with "boring" greens, greys, and browns... This is applicable to ALL natural dye materials...
You do need to watch the heat of a bath to prevent a boil, which can kill color. Some dyes are especially sensitive to heat. However, I’ve had no issue bringing most dye baths up to a simmer, a term often used in dye books.
What about using a mordant? Does the avocado color stay well with washing and light exposure?
Kieran Sartor Yes, I mordant the wool with alum. For light exposure, my color has lasted well for the last few years. (Although, all natural dyes do eventually fade.) For washing, because I use my yarn in knitwear, I don’t wash it often. So I don’t have personal experience, but I’ve heard it holds up well. Hopefully someone else can chime in!
Is there a general ph level to aim for with any natural dye? How does the ph effect the final result?
It really depends on the dye material and your goal color. Some dyes are very sensitive to an acidic or alkaline dye, while others are not. With avocado pits/stones, the higher pH pulls out the pinker shades.
Thank you!!
Nina Lerm- Thank you for watching!
Does ph related to how strong the color will come out ?
Not really the strength of color. They will dye the fiber without shifting the pH. However, the results are more in the mauve family. The alkaline dye bath pulls out the pinker tones creating a brighter, clear pink. I hope that helps!
@@MyraMadeColor interesting... increasing alkalinity gives me more peachy tones instead!
have you noticed a difference in color between using superwash and non superwash wool?
I've dyed both and haven't noticed a big difference. Generally speaking, different types of fiber can dye differently.
I did, and it made a link tone too!
Mine always shifts to more of an orange, despite only using pits, not letting it get too hot, and adding washing soda. Got any advice?
From what I have seen on other YT channels the pits are more orangey and the skins are more pink. Try switching to only skins, maybe? I haven't tested it myself. If that doesn't work it could be the avocado variety itself that gives orange instead of pink. Apparently different varieties give different hues.
Darn, I'm not sure why. It could be that the dye isn't alkaline enough. The pink color depends on that shift in pH. pH strips are helpful in measuring the the alkalinity of the dye bath, so I recommend using them if you aren't already. . Good luck!
From my experience, the pits give the pink and the skins give orange dye.
Mine turned out light tan, kind of like a fawn brown. I didn't use washing soda though, and my pits and peels were dried. It's a bit disappointing as my sister wanted pink yarn, not tan.
Michael Rustebakke Tan is disappointing, sorry to hear that! Making the dye alkaline with washing soda (or household ammonia) is an important part of this dye process. I don’t achieve pink without it.
@@MyraMadeColor It's still a nice color, and it was a good learning experience.
Michael Rustebakke Glad to hear it. Every experience is a learning experience. 😊
I’ve been saving pits and the skins for months now. I just let them dry and have them in a bag , not in freezer, I, going to try a big pot with pits and skins. Just see what happens. Might be making a mistake, don’t know.
Some people use pits and skins and have great results. I think a lot depends on the seeds themselves. We only have so much control when working with natural material. And hey, I still make mistakes. It’s all part of the process. Good luck!