Swatching Acid Dye Powders on Yarn, Part 2

I love to dye yarn with dry acid dye powder. I love the subtle or vibrant speckles, and the soft control I can get without dissolving the dyes first.  There is one small issue, it is hard to know looking at a dye color name or swatch online to see how it will speckle.  Therefore, I dye crude swatches with acid dyes!  I like to take a little bit of the dye powder and put it on wet yarn to compare to other colors.  This way I know when I pick colors for speckles I am picking colors that will look different from one another.  

This post is part 2 from a post I wrote almost two years ago sharing photos of crude acid dye swatches on yarn through April 2021. This post is going to be very similar - I will have the swatch images plus a caption with the acid dye brands and names below so you can search this post to find the colors you're interested in comparing.  I have also linked the videos where I made the swatches so you can see how the dyes perform in a YouTube video.  

Are there any other colors you would like me to swatch? I'm already planning on doing more in 2023! 

Swatching all of my purple acid dyes across multiple brands. Key: PC - PRO chemical and dye, D - Dharma acid dyes, J - Jacquard Acid Dyes, PF - Paradise Fibers acid dyes and GS - Greener Shades.  Dharma Purple Pop, Dharma Plum Dandy, Dharma Eggplant, Dharma Amethyst, Greener Shades Amethyst Purple, Dharma Espresso Bean, Dharma Berry Crush, Dharma Antique Mauve, Dharma Twilight Gray. Dharma Intense Iris, Dharma Lilac, Jacquard Lilac, Dharma Electric Violet, Jacquard Violet, Jacquard Purple, Dharma Royal Purple, Dharma Deep Purple, Jacquard Periwinkle, Dharma Hyacinth, Dharma Delphinium Blue. 

Swatching all of my pink acid dyes across multiple brands. Key: PC - PRO chemical and dye, D - Dharma acid dyes, J - Jacquard Acid Dyes, PF - Paradise Fibers acid dyes and GS - Greener Shades.  Dharma Tangelo, Dharma Peach Blush, Jacquard Salmon, Dharma Pink Orchid, Jacquard Pink, Dharma Fluorescent Fuchsia, Jacquard Hot Fuchsia, Paradise Fibers Magenta, Dharma Deep Magenta. Dharma Valentine Blush, Dharma Ballerina Pink, Dharma Flamingo Pink, Dharma Plum Dandy, Dharma Berry Crush, Dharma Amethyst, Jacquard Chestnut, Dharma Antique Mauve, Jacquard Burgundy, Dharma Cabernet. 

Swatching all of my Blue acid dyes across multiple brands.  Key: PC - PRO chemical and dye, D - Dharma acid dyes, J - Jacquard Acid Dyes, PF - Paradise Fibers acid dyes and GS - Greener Shades.  D. True Turquoise, PF Turquoise, Jacquard Turquoise, Dharma Caribbean Blue, Dharma Frozen, Pro Chem Sea Breeze. Greener Shades River Blue, ProChem Brilliant Blue, Jacquard Brilliant Blue, Jacquard Sapphire, Dharma Sapphire, Paradise Fibers Blue, Dharma Peacock Blue, Jacquard Sky Blue. Dharma Dkar Navy, Dharma Blued Steel, Jacquard Navy Blue, Jacquard Gun Metal. Paradise Fibers Green, Dharma Teal Green, Jacquard Teal, Greener Shades Coral Reef Aqua, Dharma Bright Aqua, Dharma Sea Spray. Jacquard Royal Blue, Dharma Extreme Blue, Dharma Indigo Blue, Dharma Alpine Blue, Dharma Baby Blue Eyes, ProChem Cornflower Blue, Dharma Electric Violet, Jacquard Violet, Dharma Delphinium Blue, ProChem Violet, Dharma Intense Iris, Dharma Twilight Gray, Jacquard Periwinkle. 

Swatching all of my Blue acid dyes across multiple brands, class blue collection.  Close up on Greener Shades River Blue, ProChem Brilliant Blue, Jacquard Brilliant Blue, Jacquard Sapphire, Dharma Sapphire, Paradise Fibers Blue, Dharma Peacock Blue, Jacquard Sky Blue. 

Swatching all of my Blue acid dyes across multiple brands. Close up on bright blues. D. True Turquoise, PF Turquoise, Jacquard Turquoise, Dharma Caribbean Blue, Dharma Frozen, Pro Chem Sea Breeze. 

First Look at ProChemical and Dye Pro Washfast Acid Dye Line - 340 Poppy Red, 367 Watermelon, 119 Sun Yellow, 490 Brilliant Blue, 845 Lilac, 818 Violet, 672 Jet Black, 502 Chocolate Brown, 412 Cornflower, 408 Sea Breeze, 228 Saffron, 826 Deep Orchid, 370 Rhodamine red

First Look at Paradise Fibers Acid Dyes in Brown, Gray, Black, Navy, Blue, Green, Turquoise, Soft Yellow, Yellow, Orange, Red, Magenta, and Violet.  

First Look at Greener Shades Acid Dyes - Coral Reef Aqua, Amazon Green, Sunrise Yellow, Sunset Orange, Ruby Red, Flame Red, Midnight Black, Amethyst Purple, River Blue

Crude Swatches of 12 Red Acid dyes from Dharma and Jacquard: Dharma Acid Dyes - Cherry Bomb, Fire Engine Red, Poinsettia, Cayenne Red, Chinese Red, Oxblood Red.  Jacquard Acid Dyes - Fire Red, Crimson, Cherry Red, Russet, Scarlet, Vermillion. 

1% Depth of Shade of Reds in Dharma and Jacquard Acid Dyes - In Solution.  Dharma Acid Dyes - Cherry Bomb, Fire Engine Red, Poinsettia, Cayenne Red, Chinese Red, Oxblood Red.  Jacquard Acid Dyes - Fire Red, Crimson, Cherry Red, Russet, Scarlet, Vermillion. 

1% Depth of Shade of Reds in Dharma and Jacquard Acid Dyes on finished dry yarn. Dharma Acid Dyes - Cherry Bomb, Fire Engine Red, Poinsettia, Cayenne Red, Chinese Red, Oxblood Red.  Jacquard Acid Dyes - Fire Red, Crimson, Cherry Red, Russet, Scarlet, Vermillion. 

1% Depth of Shade of Reds in Dharma and Jacquard Acid Dyes on finished dry yarn. Dharma Acid Dyes - Cherry Bomb, Fire Engine Red, Poinsettia, Cayenne Red, Chinese Red, Oxblood Red.  Jacquard Acid Dyes - Fire Red, Crimson, Cherry Red, Russet, Scarlet, Vermillion. 

ChemKnits Dye Along, October 2022. Dharma acid dyes in Dark Navy, Amethyst, Plum Dandy, Cabernet, Teal Green, Emerald, Forest Green, Muck Green, Electric Violet, Royal Purple, Intense Iris, Exterme Blue, Midnight Blue

Does Heat influence the swatching? Dyepot PS #51 (Short answer is Yes! for some colors) Dharma acid dyes in Sage Leaf, Sea Spray, Hyacinth, Dark Navy, Twilight Gray. ProChem Lilac, Violet. 

July 2022 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong: Dharma acid dyes in Teddy Bear Brown, Pecan Brown, chocolate brown, and spearmint breeze.

2022 Chanukah Night 6 - Dharma acid dyes in Duckling, Bright Aqua, Sea Spray, Deep Purple, Pink Orchid

2022 Chanukah Bonus Night 9 - Dharma Acid Dyes in Pink (pink orchid?), hyacinth, electric violet, indigo, eggplant, deep magenta, berry crush, frozen, and spearmint breeze.

Dyepot Weekly #324 - Liquid dye stocks from Dharma acid dyes in Dark Navy, Indigo, Sapphire Blue, Baby Blue Eyes, Sea Spray, Radioactive, and Flamingo Pink. 

Chanukah 2021 Night 4 - Sunset Colors Dharma acid dyes swatches in Fire Engine red, blazing orange, peach blush, honey mustard, brilliant yellow, sunflower yellow, golden poppy, tangelo, cherry bomb, flamingo pink, pink orchid. 

July 2021 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong livestream - Watermelon yarn! Dharma acid dyes in poinsettia, Chinese red, cayenne red, oxblood red, cherry bomb, fire red, amethyst, fluorescent fuschia, flamingo pink, pink orchid, peach blush, chartreuse, sour apple, radioactive, emerald green, kelly green, forest green. 

Mixing all 40 Jacquard Acid Dyes together, what color is the muk liquid?  The muk color came from a combination of all 40 jacquard acid dye powders.  The swatches are all powders unless otherwise noted.  Jacquard acid dyes in - Chestnut, Brown, Burgundy. Dharma acid dyes in Cabernet, espresso bean, antique mauve, auburgine, teddy bear brown, twilight gray, pecan brown. 

May 2021 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong Blue Jays! Dharma acid dyes in Sea Spray, Frozen, Caribbean blue, baby blue eyes, alpine blue, sapphire blue, twilight gray, platinum gray, true black, teddy bear brown, pecan brown, sand dune. 

March 2021 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong.   Dharma acid dyes in Sour Apple, Chartreuse, Lichen, moss Green, honey mustard, teddy bear brown, true black, and silver gray.

In this photo you can see the swatches fromt eh dharma swatch card along with the colors of the dyes.  note how some of the colors look much closer with dry dye powder than they do on the containers. (Note: I cut up a poster and taped the swatches to the tops of the containers, they don't come this way. 

2021 Summer Mini Skein Mini Series Night 1 - Dharma acid dyes in Avocado, Golden Poppy, Brilliant Yellow, Pecan Brown, Golden Straw, Sunflower Yellow, Honey Mustard, Sour Apple, Emerald Green.

Swatching My Green Acid Dyes (Video coming February 2023) - Dharma Forest Green, Jacquard Spruce, D. Emerald, J. Emerald, PF Green, D. Kelly Green, J. Kelly Green, G.S. Amazon Green, D. Chartreuse, J. Chartreuse, D. Radioactive, D.Lichen, D. Sour Apple, J. Olive, D. Olive Brown, D. Tobacco Leaf.  D. Moss Green, D. Avocado, D Sage Leaf, D. Pistachio, D. Spearmint Breeze, D. Sea Spray, PC Seabreeze, D Bright Aqua, J teal, D Teal green, J. Spruce, D Muck Green, and ??? TBD - Jacqaurd Alligator Green

Swatching My Green Acid Dyes (Video coming February 2023) - Dharma Forest Green, Jacquard Spruce, D. Emerald, J. Emerald, PF Green, D. Kelly Green, J. Kelly Green, G.S. Amazon Green, D. Chartreuse, J. Chartreuse, D. Radioactive, D.Lichen, D. Sour Apple, J. Olive, D. Olive Brown, D. Tobacco Leaf.

Swatching My Green Acid Dyes (Video coming February 2023) - D. Moss Green, D. Avocado, D Sage Leaf, D. Pistachio, D. Spearmint Breeze, D. Sea Spray, PC Seabreeze, D Bright Aqua, J teal, D Teal green, J. Spruce, D Muck Green, and ??? TBD - Jacqaurd Alligator Green

Swatching My Orange and Yellow Acid Dyes (Video coming August 2023) - D. Golden Straw, D. Fawn, D. Tobacco Leaf, J. Salmon, D. Peach Blush, D. Tangelo, D. Persimmon, J. Deep Orange, J. Burnt Orange, D. Saffron Spice, J. Fluorescent Orange, D. Fluorescent Safety Orange, P.F. Orange, D. Blazing Orange, J. Pumpkin Orange, G.S. Sunset Orange.

Swatching My Orange and Yellow Acid Dyes (Video coming August 2023) - D. Champagne, D. Vanilla, J. Ecru, D. Ivory, D. Golden Poppy, J. Aztec Gold, P.C. Saffron, D. Honey Mustard, J. Golden Ochre, J. Golden Yellow, P.F. Soft Yellow, D. Sunflower Yellow, D. Duckling, P.F. Yellow, J. Bright Yellow, D. Brilliant Yellow, P.C. Sun Yellow, J. Sun Yellow, G.S. Sunshine Yellow, J. Fluorescent Yellow, D. Fluorescent Lemon

Swatching My Orange and Yellow Acid Dyes (Video coming August 2023) - D. Golden Straw, D. Fawn, D. Tobacco Leaf, J. Salmon, D. Peach Blush, D. Tangelo, D. Persimmon, J. Deep Orange, J. Burnt Orange, D. Saffron Spice, J. Fluorescent Orange, D. Fluorescent Safety Orange, P.F. Orange, D. Blazing Orange, J. Pumpkin Orange, G.S. Sunset Orange. D. Champagne, D. Vanilla, J. Ecru, D. Ivory, D. Golden Poppy, J. Aztec Gold, P.C. Saffron, D. Honey Mustard, J. Golden Ochre, J. Golden Yellow, P.F. Soft Yellow, D. Sunflower Yellow, D. Duckling, P.F. Yellow, J. Bright Yellow, D. Brilliant Yellow, P.C. Sun Yellow, J. Sun Yellow, G.S. Sunshine Yellow, J. Fluorescent Yellow, D. Fluorescent Lemon

Swatching My Orange and Yellow Acid Dyes (Video coming August 2023) - Dharma Fluorsecent Safety Orange, Jacquard Fluorescent Orange.

Swatching My Orange and Yellow Acid Dyes (Video coming August 2023) - J. Ecru, D. Vanilla Cream, D. Champagne, D. Ivory. 

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Don't forget that the color intensity of a given brand and color can vary based on the amount of dye I added onto the swatch.  So a color like Teddy Bear Brown may look different in different images.  But pay attention to the hue and temperature of the colors as they compare to the others on the swatch. 

Want to see all of the swatches in one video?  Check them out here: 

This post includes crude swatches I've done from May 2021 - December 2022.  See The following post for crude acid dye swatches done prior to April 2021. 

Swatching Acid Dye Powders on Yarn

I love to crudely swatch acid dye powders on yarn to quickly get a feeling for the relative intensities and hues of different colors.  

Why? Acid dyes come in a wide range of colors and potency, from premixed pastels to super pigmented dark colors.  Almost all of the colors can be very intense when you dye directly with the dry powder - and therefore look very different from how they might look at a 1% DOS on a swatch card.  (DOS = grams of dye / 100 g of fiber.  A 1% DOS is 1 gram dye / 100 g yarn.)  

This quick method of swatching lets me see if colors might break with speckling and how different colors within one family compare to one another.  I've included a lot of these "swatch cards" in my videos, but I wanted to share these images as an easy reference since I look at the again and again.  The conditions vary in each example so it is best to compare colors within one image, but hopefully this can give you a rough feel of what you can get with different colors. 

I am going to add captions with all of the dye names below each of the images so you can easily search this page for the color you want to see. You will find all 40 Jacquard Acid Dye colors and most of the Dharma Acid Dye Collection. The video featuring the swatch is linked below each image so you can hear more about the colors and see how the final yarn from the swatch photo turned out! If I made the swatches in a livestream I linked to the recap so you can see the finished yarn and a summary of the project.

Color Swatching Dharma Acid Dyes - Cool Tones; DHARMA  Deep Navy, Toner Black, Silver Gray, Twilight Gray, Electric Violet, Frozen, Deep Purple, True Black

Color Swatching Dharma Acid Dyes - Warm Tones; DHARMA  Espresso Bean, Tangelo, Fluorescent Fuschia, Fire Engine Red, Cherry Bomb, Fluorescent Safety Orange, Jacquard Brown

Swatching Dharma Acid Dyes: Greens, Blues, and Purples;  DHARMA Emerald Green, Teal Green, Delphinium Blue, Avocado, Sage Leaf, Purple Pop 

Swatching 17 Dharma Acid Dye Colors - 5/21/19 Livestream Recap; DHARMA  Sapphire Blue, Caribbean Blue, Bright Aqua, True Turquoise

Swatching 17 Dharma Acid Dye Colors - 5/21/19 Livestream Recap; DHARMA  Sapphire Blue, Caribbean Blue, Bright Aqua, True Turquoise, Lilac, Radioactive (Fluorescent), Sour Apple, Blued Steel, Berry Crush, Deep Magenta, Platinum

Swatching 17 Dharma Acid Dye Colors - 5/21/19 Livestream Recap; DHARMA Fluorescent Lemon, Fawn, Sand Dune, Golden Poppy, Saffron Spice, Pecan Brown

Swatching All 40 Jaquard Acid Dye Colors on Yarn - 6/25/19 Livestream Recap; JACQUARD Sky Blue, Royal Blue, Brilliant Blue, Sapphire Blue, Gun Metal, Jet Black, Silvery Gray, Purple, Periwinkle, Turquoise, Violet, Lilac, Navy 

Swatching All 40 Jaquard Acid Dye Colors on Yarn - 6/25/19 Livestream Recap; JACQUARD Russet, Crimson, Cherry Red, Fire Red, Vermillion, Burgundy, Bright Scarlet, Hot Fuchsia, Pink, Chestnut, Ecru, Brown, Burnt Orange, Salmon, Deep Orange

Swatching All 40 Jaquard Acid Dye Colors on Yarn - 6/25/19 Livestream Recap ; JACQUARD Golden Ochre, Aztec Gold, Golden Yellow, Pumpkin Orange, Sun Yellow, Kelly Green, Chartreuse, Bright Yellow, Teal, Spruce, Emerald, Olive

August 2019 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong JACQUARD - Brown, Chestnut, Aztec Gold, Ecru

DHARMA - Fawn, Sand Dune, Pecan Brown, Espresso Bean, True Black, Silver Gray

September 2020 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong; DHAMRA Tobacco Leaf, Fawn, Olive Brown, Golden Straw, Champagne, Avocado, Moss Green, Lichen, Chartreuse, Radioactive, Sand Dune

October 2020 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong; DHAMRA Cabernet, Honey Mustard, Golden Poppy, Blazing Orange, Saffron Spice, Forest Green, Pecan Brown, Teddy Bear Brown, Eggplant, Espresso Bean, Berry Crush, Plum Dandy

Dyepot PS #32 - Swatching Dharma Acid Dyes On Yarn; Rough Swatches with New To Me Colors; DHAMRA Antique Mauve, Hyacinth, Midnight Blue, Indigo Blue, Extreme Blue, Alpine Blue, Baby Blue Eyes, Sea Spray, Spearmint Breeze, Plum Dandy, Cabernet, Aubergine (Eggplant)

Dyepot PS #32 - Swatching Dharma Acid Dyes On Yarn; Rough Swatches with New To Me Colors; DHAMRA Oxblood, Chinese Red, Ponsettia, Cayenne Red, Blazing Orange, Peach Blush, Valentine Pink, Ballerina Pink, Flamingo Pink, Antique Mauve, Pink Orchid

Dyepot PS #32 - Swatching Dharma Acid Dyes On Yarn; Rough Swatches with New To Me Colors; DHAMRA Teddy Bear Brown, Olive Brown, Tobacco Leaf, Chartreuse, Lichen, Moss, Kelly Green, Ivory, Champagne, Golden Straw, Sunflower Yellow, Duckling, Honey Mustard 

Video TBD! DHAMRA Avocado, Golden Poppy, Brilliant Yellow, Pecan Brown, Golden Straw, Sunflower Yellow, Honey Mustard, Sour Apple, Emerald Green

March 2021 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong DHAMRA Sour Apple, Chartreuse, Lichen, Moss Green, Honey Mustard, Teddy Bear Brown, True Black, Silver Gray

February 2021 #ChemKnitsDyeAlong DHAMRA Valentine Blush, Ballerina Pink, Flamingo Pink, Tangelo, Peach Blush, Antique Mauve

This post includes all of the crude swatches I've done through April 2021.