Is there a way to dye hemp so it can look colorful? Do I just rub dye on it?

Hemp contains cellulose and lignin, two fibers which are best dyed with any fiber reactive dye, such as Procion MX dye. Although you can color hemp with an all-purpose dye, such as Rit dye, the color will fade quickly and will bleed whenever it gets wet, so you will be much better off if you use fiber reactive dyes.

To dye hemp with Procion MX dyes, follow any good recipe for tie-dyeing. You will not be able to buy good dyes at the grocery store, but you can find them at any good crafts store. The best way to start is to buy a good tie-dyeing kit, such as one of the kits made by Jacquard, Rainbow Rock, Tulip, or Dylon. Presoak your hemp in water mixed with soda ash, then paint or pour on the tie-dye dye. (Some kits contain the soda ash already mixed in with the dye powder; in that case, just follow the instructions closely.) Allow the dye to react with the hemp overnight in a warm place, then wash out the excess unattached dye by rinsing once in cool water and then washing two or three times in very hot water, 140°F or hotter.

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[This answer was first posted, by me, on Yahoo answers, on September 20, 2008.]