Name: Julie
Message: Hello, Paula---
I'd like to dye a wool fat quarter that is bittersweet color with black dye to get a mottled effect. Is low water immersion appropiate?
Can I use Rit dye or should I use something else? Would Sabraset from ProChem be better? This is for the front of an all wool purse, so washing it will not be an issue. I'd prefer all little felting as possible. I have NO experience dyeing and need this project to be as simple as possible. (This is a Christmas present,)
I'm planning on beginning to dye after the holidays and have found you site to be extremely helpful and have added it to my favorites.
Thank you so much!

The low water immersion technique does seem to be just what you'd want, but you should use a recipe that is written specifically for wool.

Perhaps the best method for you would be dyeing wool at room temperature and heat-setting it in a black plastic garbage bag. Avoiding boiling would make it easier for you, and also greatly reduce the risk of felting.

Pro Chemical and Dye has a recipe for "Garbage Bag Dyeing with Wool using PRO MX Reactive Dyes ", and Eastern Michigan University has a PDF file with instructions for "Cold Batch Dyeing of Wool with Cibacron F Reactive Dyes".

Rit dye works okay when simmered with wool, because one of the two types of dye it contains is acid dye, but these two files of instructions are more reliable. I think it would be wise to follow one of them as closely as possible, and it seems that avoiding the whole heating business might be just what you might be looking for. All of the ingredients in either recipe can be purchased from Prochem.