That's a hose of a different color

[T-Bone]

I am fairly new here but I think the general concensus is cream/white hose are given the cold shoulder. So yesterday I did a search for dyeing wool/wool-blend hose. My main concern was shrinkage as it is recommended to use hot water for the dyeing process. In my search I did not find any adverse shrinkage results so I proceeded to dye my hose. I used Rit brand Royal Blue. I like more subdued colors so this is a little beyond my realm of comfortable colors. What do you fellow kilties think?


T

[EHCAlum]

I did the same on some wool blend cream hose I got from SWK. I used a different dye royal blue dye from Hancock Fabrics, as they did not have Rit. One run through the dye and they turned a heatherish light blueish/purple color, which really works well with my kickball shirt actually. I have a navy pair of hose from Rocky though.

How many times did you do the dye job?

[westy1970]

I dig it and will follow suit. I have a pair of cream colored ones that I have had for years that could use a freshening up.

[T-Bone]

How many times did you do the dye job?

I modified the stovetop directions. I did not want to use any of my cooking pots for this. I used a small bucket filled with hot water, added some salt and half the bottle of liquid dye. I gently stirred the hose for about 30 minutes. I then hand washed them with detergent. Rinse...rinse...rinse...etc until the water ran clear. I think I would have liked them a little lighter or a little darker in color. Since I still have half the bottle left, I might give them another dye bath to get them darker.

T

[EHCAlum]

Thats what I did, except I used one of the bowls of my SS sink and an old plastic tub. Stirred for 15 min straight, then occasionally for 45 min. I'm wearing them tonight at the game and will get a pic.

[JSFMACLJR]

The colour is beautiful! I'd keep them like that.

[artificer]

The colour is beautiful! I'd keep them like that.

I agree,
once they fade a tiny bit, they'll have a lovely Jacobite blue tone to them.

[lethearen]

I rather like the colour they are

Do you know the thread blend in the hose? Higher % of non-natural materials (polyester, rayon, nylon, acetate, whatever) will typically mean the fabric won't hold the dye as well. Natural fabrics will hold dye, artificial typically won't.

How hot was your "hot" water? I don't recall the directions, but I think it's supposed to be boiling or just shy of. If you lowered the temp in deference to preventing shrinkage, it would also lower the efficiency of the dye.

I used simmering water and then carefully restretched the hose afterwards, with no ill effects to the size. Just gently stretch them bit by bit lengthwise, then again crosswise. I don't recall the blend, but the hose took a rich colour with that method.

[denmcdough]

IMHO, I think they're just fine. Set yourself apart from everyone else!

[chewse]

Gentlemen - I'm new to wearing kilts and have noticed on the forum, as mentioned above, a bias against cream/white hose. Without trying to find any pertinent discussion thread on the topic, can you tell me why this is the case?

Thank you.