Natural Dyes – Cabin Boy Knits

Alkanet

Alkanet: Produces soft greys, mauve to purple and lavender Source: Dried/ground root powder Native to the Mediterranean region, grows wild in fields, pastures & pine forests throughout Europe, Central Asia and North Africa. The blackish dark red root is blue-red...

Avocado

Avocado: Yields light pinks/peach also greys & light browns Source: Local market - Extracted from skins and pits The fruit tree originates in Mexico and ranges from Costa Rica, Columbia and Peru to Ecuador. Later introduced to the U.S. in...

Black-eyed Susan

BLACK-EYED SUSAN: Yields vibrant yellows to sage greens Source: Dye garden, scattered in backyard, fields & along roadsides This flower's bloom period from early Summer till early Fall makes it easily available for dying wool all Summer long. They are plentiful...

Brazilwood

BRAZILWOOD: Yields crimson red, pinks to violet/purple Source: Powdered wood chips Used as a textile dye from as far back as the 2nd or 1st Century BC to the 3rd Century AD, the trade in Brazilwood flourished in Europe through...

Cochineal

Cochineal: Produces bright reds to fuchsia, pink and purples Source: Dried/crushed insects Cochineal is extracted from the female insect found on the prickly pear cactus native to Mexico & Central/South America producing the crimson coloured dye. From the French "cochenille",...