How to Create Natural Dyes for Wool

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

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Color your raw wool in natural dyes made from herbs, flowers, berries, roots, leaves and bark that you collect yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

  • Baskets
  • Gardening Gloves
  • Raw Wool
  • Stoves
  • Water
  • Chef's Knives
  • Cooking Pots
  • Cutting Boards
  • Kitchen Scales
  • Oven Mitts
  • Stirring Spoons
  • Strainers

Gathering Materials

Step1
Gather fresh herb materials while at their peak. Dried herbs can be used, but will result in less brilliant colors.
Step2
Gather flowers for dyeing when they are coming into bloom.
Step3
Gather berries when they are ripe.
Step4
Harvest roots in the fall.
Step5
Collect leaves and bark in the spring.

Flowers, Fruits or Leaves

Step1
Chop leaves and fruits; separate flower petals.
Step2
Use 8 quarts of flowers, fruits or leaves to dye 1 pound of wool yarn.
Step3
Place in 4 to 4½ gallons of water.
Step4
Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step5
Strain.

Roots, Nut Hulls and Bark

Step1
Chop roots; break up nut hulls and bark.
Step2
Use 1 pound of nut hulls, wood and bark per 1 pound of wool yarn.
Step3
Use ½ pound of roots per 1 pound of wool.
Step4
Soak nut hulls, wood and bark overnight in 2 gallons of water.
Step5
Strain and save the liquid.
Step6
Place roots in another 2 gallons of water.
Step7
Simmer for an hour.
Step8
Strain, and then add the saved liquid from Step 15.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Carefully check a guide to local plants that identify some as poisonous. Check your local library for books on plants and dyes to see what colors you get from different plants and to make sure what you are using is safe.

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eHow Article:  How to Create Natural Dyes for Wool

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