Battle of the Violet Dyes - who does it best? Dharma v. Pro-Chem v. Jacquard

In this video, we're pitting Dharma Trading's Electric Violet against Jacquard's Violet against Pro-Chem's brilliant Violet to see whose is the closest to Pantone's 2018 color of the year. Here's the copy from their website extolling the virtues of this shade:
"A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.
Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.
Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.
Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection."
Hope this helps you to make some rad purple shit this year!
Love,
Nic

[@erininglis6387]

I love purples no matter what shade. I have these Jacquard and Dharma colours already, but I definitely need to add the ProChem Brilliant Violet to my dye collection. It is gorgeous! 💜

[@judichristopher4604]

I love your video... Great information... but I love reading your writings in the description box!!! So True... So True...

[@ChulaRegal]

Love this video :)

[@ooohlaa13]

does it matter how much water is in the dye bath, you don't mention the ratio i love that you are showing on full screen here, thanx you have much expertise to share

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

BarbaraL Lowell no, it does not. The proportion of dye to the weight of fiber is the ratio that matters. 1% degree of strength (d.o.s.) is a pale shade , 2.5% d.o.s is medium and 4% + is a deep shade. For example, a 100 gram Skein dyed to a pastel shade would need 1 gram (1%) of dye. Medium would be 2.5 grams (2.5%) and deep would be 4 grams (4%). The dye/citric acid/fiber amounts are clearly explained on the dye manufacturers website (Dharma Trading, Pro Chem and dye) as well as pburch.net

[@ooohlaa13]

thanks I couldn't quite grok that because many dyers say how much water they are using, and I thought that the water diluted the color ... excellent info, thanx

[@judichristopher4604]

I forgot to ask... Is the Por Chem also good for Silk paintings... That is what I'm looking for GREAT Vivid Colors for Silk Painting... I have heard of Dupont French Dyes... Maybe you should do another comparison and throw that dye in there too.

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

I don't paint silk fabric but I do dye raw silk all the time (for a couple thousand examples you can check my instagram @frostyarn ). I have only heard mediocre to abysmal things about dupont dyes and it's been less stellar since they reformulated in 2014. Aside from the fact that it's sold as liquid stock and nearly quadruple the cost of powder - plus a way shorter shelf life.

[@rosamunda4713]

a huge help! Thank you - I don't like pinky purples at all and would not be happy with that middle sample. How did you know you wanted a 4% dye? Obviously I am a newbie .... if one of the catalogs has a good explanation page you can send/link me there.

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

Rosamunda 1% is pastel, 2.5% is mid-tone and 4+% is a deep shade. Go to pro-chem and dyes website, Dharma trading website or www.pburch.net to read up on how the chemistry behind dye works and answer those basic technical questions.

[@oldestbinda]

So my electric violet from Dharma keeps bleeding I think I heat it for 2 hours the last time so maybe longer?

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

If your acid is right and the water isn't well water with a ton of sediment, then it's a poor quality dye. Unless you used too much dye (for that color, over 2% is too much). Dharma has serious mill quality issues. I'd recommend 1.5% pro chem brilliant violet for a clean, well absorbed color.

[@oldestbinda]

@@NicoleFrostYarn I used 200 grams of sock yarn and 2 grams of dye. 2 percent would have been 4 grams I think. I don't have well water but our water softener has had some issues so I will need to get that checked out. Thank you for the reply!

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

@@oldestbinda you should get a jug of distilled water and do a side by side batch with your tap at 2%. If there's any difference in dye uptake, then it's your water. If there isn't, you got a bad batch.

[@moonrosejazz]

At Prochem’s website, they state that brilliant violet has poor light fastness. What is your experience with this?

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

moonrosejazz i have not ever seen that particular warning. And it's not true. 10 years I've been using this color in almost every colorway i make, and it's the brightest, boldest, and least leaky of all the colors. Maybe if you left it in the sun for ten years we could verify that statement.

[@moonrosejazz]

Nicole Frost Good to know! In case anyone else mentions it, this was my source: prochemicalanddye.net/index.php/downloads/dl/file/id/191/product/0/pro_washfast_acid_dyes_pure_colors.pdf As you can tell, I’m new at this. Since it has been your “go to” violet dye for ten years, I figured you’d have better insight. I love the color...I’ll put it on my next order! Thanks for your quick reply and insight.

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

moonrosejazz id also recommend turquoise and rhodamine red. You'll love the colors, since dharmas turquoise bleeds and jacquard is so lackluster

[@moonrosejazz]

Nicole Frost Thanks! Rhodamine red had that same warning regarding lightfastness, so I didn’t purchase it, but you’re not the first person to recommend it. I got the PROChem turquoise. That turquoise to teal spectrum is my favorite to begin with, and the reading I did suggested it was the best choice for a cyan.

[@blankmandastankman]

Is this dye different from procion? I heard u mention heat setting, and citric acid...2 steps id never heard mentioned before when researching procion dye for cotton tees

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

1988 this is acid dye, meant for protein fibers, aka wool/silk and anything animal based. Totally different dye/process than cotton, which needs a basic ph through soda ash to set the dye and it’s cold set.

[@blankmandastankman]

Nicole Frost then that would explain my perfect state of confusion from watching your video. Thanks!! Great video btw, that pro mix purple was incredible. Any advice on how to get it that rich through procion dyes aside from soda ash?

[@LizCanKnit]

First?

[@NicoleFrostYarn]

First what. First place? Pro chem for sure. The other two aren't as vivid and aren't really violet either