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Firstly I dyed this yarn in a dish in the microwave. I used three (yes three) bottles of food colouring as I wanted a strong colour. Was this far too much? Tell me straight. It was in just under a pint of water. Was this too much? I did NOT add vinegar because I was unaware I had to. Then, when the dye would not hop it, after a few goes in the microwave, I added vinegar and tried again but it still would not go. I have soaked it several times in cold water and still the dye continues to come out. Last night I decided the pan was the only thing for it, so put it on to cook. As you can see, the water is still not clear. I can carry on soaking it or cooking it if that's what it takes to give me the all clear or am I wasting my time and the dye will never go? I was intending on knitting it with another colour but am worried when washed, the colour will run. Any suggestions?

I've used three bottles of red to 100g of fibre. It doesn't matter how much water you use, the key thing is the amount of dye for the weight of wool. If you've added vinegar and cooked it then it's done. There is only so much dye that the yarn can take up, what you probably have left is the excess dye. It's not going to bond whatever you do, just rinse it well and call it good. If the colour has set (which it should have done with what you've done to it) then what you're rinsing off is the dye that hasn't bonded to the fibres, the leftovers. Once you've rinsed that away then the yarn should be colourfast.

You might be surprised how many professional dye jobs run like stink the first time they are washed. You did need the vinegar by the way.

So, would you be confident to knit a lighter colour with it? I've just rinsed it again now for a long time and still dye is coming out. I've left it to soak again, and can bet the water will still be coloured when I go back. I think I am going to keep rinsing it a while longer.