February 2021
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 &...
From the cabin
Natural Dyes.
The long version — one plant at a time. For the quick tour of what each dye gives on wool, see the dye library.
18 entriesStirling, Ontario
February 2021
Avocado
Avocado: Yields light pinks/peach also greys & light browns Source: Local market - Extracted from skins and pits The fruit tree originates in Mexico...
February 2021
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...
February 2021
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...
February 2021
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...
February 2021
Coneflower
CONEFLOWER: Yields colour from medium yellows to pale greens Source: The garden Coneflowers are easily grown in the garden, self-seed and propagate over time....
February 2021
Cutch
Cutch: Yields browns, yellowish-browns, gray-browns & olive-browns Source: Dried/ground powder from Acacia tree Originally used for centuries in India in alternative medicine as an...
February 2021
Delphinium
DELPHINIUM: Yields deep yellows to pale greens Source: The garden Easily grown in our backyard garden, the flowers produce a beautiful visual and are...
February 2021
Goldenrod
Goldenrod: Produces deep to pale yellows, yellow/olive green Source: Backyard meadows, roadside, along forest paths Goldenrod picked and used fresh in a dye-bath gives wool the...
February 2021
Indigo
Indigo: Produces distinctive blue in shades from pale azure to dark navy, almost black Source: Powder form or chips - Can grow the plant...
February 2021
Logwood
LOGWOOD: Yields deep blue/violet, purples, greys and black Source: Wood chips Logwood has an economical and historical background similar to that of Brazilwood where profit...
February 2021
Madder
Madder: Yields shades of warm reds from crimson-orange, British Redcoat and mulberry wine to purple, rust and browns Source: Crushed powder from the vegetable...