Dye, cream hose, dye!

**Tobus** · 17th March 10, 10:45 AM

I don't wear my cream hose any more. I bought them before I knew any better.

Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience at dyeing white or cream hose to a darker color. I'm going to go with green. This pair of hose is 25% wool, 25% acrylic, 20% nylon, and 30% polyester.

The packaging for the Rit dye says not to use it on 100% polyester or acrylic, I believe, but it doesn't say anything about blends. Do you think this material will take the dye? My only guess would be that it won't take it as well as cotton or other natural fibers, but it might take some. I might end up with light green socks instead of dark green. But I figure it's worth a shot, since the worst that can happen is that they get relegated to boot socks when I'm wearing p***s.

**auld argonian** · 17th March 10, 10:55 AM

I remember that some of the members who are versed in the Fabric Arts have posted about their experience using organic dyes to "help stamp out white hose!". Hopefully one or more of them will chime in on this one.

Best

AA

**thistlelass** · 17th March 10, 11:10 AM

100% animal fiber which also includes silk, will take dye. Acrylics do not take dye very well. You have very little wool fiber in those hose. The acrylic may take some of the dye, but you could get very spotty hose.

**cavscout** · 17th March 10, 12:08 PM

I've dyed cotton with pretty good results. I was shooting for dark brown bUt ended up with "heather" brown. The black pair I tried ended up charcoal. Admittedly, I probably didn't put enough salt in the water so maybe that could account for the results. Here's the brown ones, they were truly cream from HDG (not white) ....

I don't think it's worth the effort to try and dye the hose you have though unless you just want to see what happens. Too much synthetic fiber in them to turn out wearable. But as you say, you can wear them with pants.

**Chas** · 17th March 10, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

The packaging for the Rit dye says not to use it on 100% polyester or acrylic, I believe, but it doesn't say anything about blends. Do you think this material will take the dye? My only guess would be that it won't take it as well as cotton or other natural fibers, but it might take some. I might end up with light green socks instead of dark green. But I figure it's worth a shot, since the worst that can happen is that they get relegated to boot socks when I'm wearing p***s.

That's how it worked for me. I went for navy blue, but ended up with a light/mid blue. I still wear them.

Regards

Chas

**berserkbishop** · 17th March 10, 03:21 PM

I agree with the above posting. I tried to die a bunch of standard kilt hose like you would pick up at USA kilts or any other shop (not the nice expensive hose, the economy priced ones) and found that you will probably have a lighter shade of hose than the package of dye (Rit in my efforts) indicates. I dont know about the synthetic fibers, didnt consider it when I tried to die mine. If you dont mind taking the potential loss of wearable hose, and you dont wear them anyway, I would give it a go. Let us know how it turns out!

Bishop

**Mike in Dayton** · 17th March 10, 05:28 PM

I just received a few pairs of white GoldToe over the calf socks that are 82% cotton. Looking up information on the RIT dye I think these will dye ok. I will find out this weekend. The plan is to dye them to a tan or light brown. I have not obtained the dye yet so I will have to see what is available locally.

My intention is to wear them in warmer weather with my contemporary kilts and the socks pushed down.

Mike

**Dixiecat** · 17th March 10, 08:59 PM

The packaging for the Rit dye says not to use it on 100% polyester or acrylic

Got nothing to lose do you? I used to work for a fabric store and we sold Rit. We put up a display of all sorts of things that were dyed with it. Lace, buttons, interfacing, snaps, etc. Nylon works surprisingly well with Rit. Between the wool and the nylon you're covering 45% of the content. Pick a colour darker than you want and see what happens.

**kennethrmc** · 17th March 10, 09:29 PM

I tea stained a white pair and they turned a nice tan by leaving them in the pot overnight. They were about the same composition of fabrics as yours.

**Riverkilt** · 17th March 10, 09:42 PM

Sorry, I can't believe synthetic fibers are gonna absorb any dye color they're not infused with during their production. Might get some dye to lay on the outside but its not gonna last. That's why Rit says don't do it...

Course, I could be wrong...can't hurt to give it a shot and see what happens. If you weren't using the hose anyway won't matter if it comes out badly.