Why white and bright colours don’t always get along (and what you can do about it)

Why washing hand-dyed yarn often raises questions

I completely understand it.
You’ve spent weeks (sometimes months) on a project, you love the colour combination, and then comes that moment: the first wash. That’s usually when I receive emails with a hint of panic between the lines 😉

Let me start with something important: in my studio, I rinse all yarn very thoroughly, until the water runs clear.
But — and this is a big but — that does not guarantee the yarn will behave exactly the same months later, in a different environment.

That’s not a mistake.
That’s simply the nature of hand-dyed yarn.

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Deep and bright colours are beautiful — and sometimes stubborn

Some colours are dyed using a high percentage of dye to achieve deep, intense shades.
Think of:

• strong reds

• dark blues and greens

• bright, saturated colours

• and especially fluorescent shades

Even if the rinse water is clear after dyeing, a skein can still release colour during a later wash, especially after resting for some time in a different environment.

That doesn’t mean anything is “wrong” with the yarn.
It just means that wool and colour sometimes have a mind of their own.

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Combining white and bright colours? Possible — but never without care

This is probably the most important part of this blog.

Combining undyed, white or very light yarn with a bright colour is always a risk.
Not necessarily a disaster — but something that requires extra attention.

I often use this example in workshops:
Would you wash a red T-shirt together with white towels?
You can probably imagine the result.

With wool, it’s exactly the same.

👉 Does this mean you can never combine white and red?
No, it often works just fine.
👉 Does it mean you should always test first?
Yes. Always.

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The swatch: boring, but absolutely worth it

I know. Nobody enjoys knitting yet another swatch.
But trust me: this is the swatch that can save your project.

Knit or crochet a swatch using all the colours of your project.
Wash it the same way you plan to wash the finished piece.

• Everything stays clean? → great

• Colour bleeding appears? → then you know to proceed carefully

Think of it as a small rehearsal before the real performance.

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How I wash a “risky” colour project (step by step)

If you know or suspect that colours may bleed, this is how I do it:

1. Use really cold water

Not lukewarm. Truly cold.
The warmer the water, the more easily dye is released and absorbed by lighter areas.

2. Several baths, no soaking

Prepare several buckets of cold water.
Submerge your piece, keep it gently moving, and don’t let it rest.

3. Use colour catchers

I always add 1–2 colour catchers to the first bath.
They absorb released dye before it settles elsewhere.

If you see colour bleeding:

• remove the piece immediately

• gently squeeze out excess water

• move on to the next bath

In most cases, one or two baths are enough.

4. Add soap only when safe

Only when no more colour is released do I add a small amount of Eucalan or Soak to the final bath.
Do not soak. Rinse in time.

5. Give your work space

No folding, no squeezing.
The more space the piece has, the smaller the chance of stains.

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What about loose dye particles?

With speckled yarns, you may occasionally notice small pigment particles.
They often show up:

• on your hands while knitting

• or settling at the bottom of the wash water

Especially certain yellow and ochre shades behave this way. Usually, they cause no problems.

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An honest note: once a stain is there, it stays

I wish I had a miracle solution here.
But I don’t.

Once a colour stain has formed, it cannot be removed.
My honest advice: see it as part of the handmade nature of the piece. Often, you’re the only one who ever notices.

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In closing

Hand-dyed yarn sometimes asks for a bit more care, but it gives so much in return: depth, vibrancy and character.
Be especially cautious when combining light and bright colours, test beforehand, and trust what you observe.

And if you’re ever unsure — you know where to find me.