How to Dye Evergreens

Dye evergreen needles for use in basketry.

Weavers often collect long, dried evergreen needles for basket or mat making. Because natural needles come in a limited range of brown and reddish-brown earth tones, some choose to dye the needles for a more vibrant appearance. You can color dried evergreen needles with commercial powdered dye.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid soap
• Window screen
• Large saucepan
• Strainer
• Dye

Instructions

1. Wash the needles in soapy water, rinse them and set them on a window screen to dry out thoroughly. Set them in the sun to bleach out their natural colors, or in the shade to preserve their pigmentation.

2. Soak the needles for half an hour in warm water just before dyeing.

3. Bring a saucepan of water to simmer over medium heat.

4. Gradually mix powdered dye into the water according to package directions. Use more water for a lighter pigment, and less water for a darker tone.

5. Add the needles to the dye bath and simmer them until the needles are as dark as you like. The needles will lighten after drying.

6. Strain the needles and set them on a window screen to dry. You can save the dye in a glass container for future use.

References

• Heart of Al Manor; Dyeing Pine Needles; Debbie Norton; 1998
• Basket Makers: Pine Needle Basketry