How We Set Our Color in Our Hand Dyed Yarns

When you choose hand-dyed yarn from Mountaintop Yarn, you’re getting color that’s meant to last. Every skein is dyed, heat-set, and thoroughly rinsed by hand to ensure rich, stable color that holds up through years of making and wear.

We use professional acid dyes designed specifically for protein fibers like wool and alpaca. Once the dye is applied, each skein is brought to temperature and held there long enough for the color to fully bond with the fiber. This chemical reaction locks pigment deep into the yarn’s core, creating colorfast, permanent results.

After dyeing, every batch is cooled, rinsed until the water runs clear, and washed in a gentle wool-safe solution to remove any unbound pigment. The yarn is then dried, twisted, and checked by hand before it’s added to the shop.

About Color Transfer and “Crocking”

Even with the most thorough dye process, some colors — especially deep or highly saturated ones — may release a small amount of pigment when first handled, wound, or knitted. This is called crocking and it’s completely normal.

Crocking happens when trace dye particles remain on the yarn surface after setting. It’s most noticeable with dark or vivid shades such as red, navy, purple, and teal. You might notice a slight tint on your fingertips or needles during your first session — this is surface pigment, not a sign of poor dyeing, and it will disappear after the first gentle wash.

If you’re working a project that combines light and dark colors, we recommend knitting a small swatch and giving it a quick soak first to test for any residual surface pigment. A small drop of white vinegar in the water will help balance pH and neutralize the dye.

Caring for Your Finished Project

• Hand wash in cool or lukewarm water with a mild, wool-safe detergent.

• Avoid hot water or harsh soaps — they can loosen dye bonds and damage natural fibers.

• Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight.

• For colorwork or mixed-yarn projects, wash gently the first time to remove any remaining surface dye.

At Mountaintop Yarn, every skein is the result of careful testing, precision, and patience. We dye, rinse, and finish our yarns to professional standards so you can focus on what matters most — turning color into something beautiful.