Dye Stock Solutions

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Dye stock solutions are useful when you want to mix colors or dye small amounts of fabric or yarn. Accurately measuring the small amounts of dye powder needed can be difficult --how easy is it to measure 1/64th of a teaspoon? Thinning out the dye in a larger amount of water will allow you to measure out those small amounts of dye. Take a look at this table:
Amount of Stock Solution contains this much dye powder
1 cup (227 grams) = 9 grams or 1 Tablespoon
1/2 cup (114 g) = 4.5 grams or 1/2 Tblsp
1/3 cup (76 g) = 3 grams or 1 teaspoon
1/4 cup (57 g) = 2.25 grams or 3/4 teaspoon
1/8 cup or 2 Tblsp (28 g) = 1.125 grams or 3/8 teaspoon
1 Tblsp (14 g) = .56 grams or 3/16 teaspoon
1 Tsp (4.7 g) = .187 grams or 1/16 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon (2.4 g) = .09 grams or 1/32 teaspoon
1/4 teaspoon (1.2 g) = .046 grams or 1/64 teaspoon

As you can see, mixing up a stock solution of dye powder and water enables you to use a 1/4 teaspoon to measure out 1/64th teaspoon of actual dye. This increases the accuracy of your dyeing and makes the colors you dye repeatable, though I strongly recommend that you dye the all the fabric or yarn you need at one go. Even when you pay close attention to all the details of your dyeing, one dye lot will still look a little different from another dye lot.

Another reason I like to use stock solutions for my dyeing is that it is safer for the lungs. Dye powder is a strong lung irritant. Once the dye powder is mixed with water it can't float around and get into the lungs. Many dye mixes can be made up without having to put on a dust mask every time I mix.

Using Procion MX-- Stock Solution Recipe

Most colors: 18 grams dye powder (2 Tablespoons) + 2 cups water

Colors containing Turquoise, marked with (T), and some dark colors, marked with(*), will need double the dye powder:
36 grams dye powder + 2 cups water

Blacks and a few dark colors (**) require 4 times the dye:
72 grams dye powder + 2 cups water

(Dyes needing stronger solutions (T), (*), and (**) are so marked in the Dharma Trading catalog. Jacquard also produces Procion MX dyes and they also indicate which dyes need stronger solutions.)

Always wear a dust mask or respirator when mixing dry dye powder. Mix a small amount of the water with the powdered dye in a plastic or glass container until the dye is disolved.Add the rest of the water, stir, and store in a glass or plastic container with a tight lid. Keep container in a cool dry place. Dye will be good for at least a few weeks, but the colors will loose their brightness over time. Only mix as much dye stock solution as you feel you can use in a few weeks. The dye solution can last a little longer if placed in the refrigerator.