If you’ve ever wanted to add rich, earthy color to your yarn or wool without reaching for synthetic dyes, nature has you covered! From kitchen scraps to garden plants and even wildflowers, there are so many beautiful, natural sources of dye all around us. Natural dyeing is not only fun and rewarding—it’s also a gentle, eco-friendly way to bring unique color to your fiber projects. In this post, we’ll explore a variety of plants and natural materials you can use to dye wool or yarn, many of which you may already have at home or growing nearby.
Red: Autumn leaves, madder root, coreopsis
Orange: Paprika, onion skins, marigolds
Yellow: Turmeric, thyme leaves, pomegranate skins, eucalyptus, acorns
Green: Willow bark, spinach, yerba mate, privet berries
Blue: Cooked black beans, hyacinth, red cabbage, huckleberries, woad
Purple: Grape juice, elderberry, cedar root
Pink: Avocado pits, rose petals
Brown: Tea bags, coffee grounds
Gray: Dried black beans, walnut hulls, carob pods, rosemary
Start Experimenting!
Do you have some of these things around the house? If you're inspired to try it out, scroll down to see our selection of undyed wool and yarn to get you started on your pigment journey.
