How to Create Natural Dyes for Wool

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

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

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

Gathering Materials

1. Gather fresh herb materials while at their peak. Dried herbs can be used, but will result in less brilliant colors.

2. Gather flowers for dyeing when they are coming into bloom.

3. Gather berries when they are ripe.

4. Harvest roots in the fall.

5. Collect leaves and bark in the spring.

Flowers, Fruits or Leaves

6. Chop leaves and fruits; separate flower petals.

7. Use 8 quarts of flowers, fruits or leaves to dye 1 pound of wool yarn.

8. Place in 4 to 4½ gallons of water.

9. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

10. Strain.

Roots, Nut Hulls and Bark

11. Chop roots; break up nut hulls and bark.

12. Use 1 pound of nut hulls, wood and bark per 1 pound of wool yarn.

13. Use ½ pound of roots per 1 pound of wool.

14. Soak nut hulls, wood and bark overnight in 2 gallons of water.

15. Strain and save the liquid.

16. Place roots in another 2 gallons of water.

17. Simmer for an hour.

18. Strain, and then add the saved liquid from Step 15.

[woolit]

on 5/16/2009 Would like to learn from some one who lives near Winsted Conn. of this fine art.

[Slauri]

on 10/11/2008 I have used many plants to dye wool for my hooking. I love the brown I get from my black walnuts, hulls and all. Beets make a great red color, also asparagus makes a wonderful green, its easy and fun. I cook the beets and asparagus first, then save the water. This way I kill two birds with one stone. Water can be put in the fridge for about a week. Then I boil it again as it works better to dye in hot water. Add viniger to set the color. Opps almost forgot goldenrod, make a nice yellow.Have fun.

The wool hooker in Illinois

[dyer]

on 7/18/2008 This "project" is ridiculously general, as though one can get dye from any plant one chooses from the garden. As the previous poster points out, care should be taken to see that appropriate plants are chosen. Dyeing is a craft that has been practiced for thousands of years and can be very enjoyable, but also has its dangers. Dye plants and safe practices are also well documented in any number of reputable books. The "editor" who wrote this should try reading one or two.

[dyer]

on 7/18/2008 This "project" is ridiculously general, as though one can get dye from any plant one chooses from the garden. As the previous poster points out, care should be taken to see that appropriate plants are chosen. Dyeing is a craft that has been practiced for thousands of years and can be very enjoyable, but also has its dangers. Dye plants and safe practices are also well documented in any number of reputable books. The "editor" who wrote this should try reading one or two.

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.