Natural Yarn Dyeing with Plants: 10 Gorgeous Colors for Your Handmade Yarn

You love color – but also care about the planet? Then natural dyeing is your thing! This post is a follow-up to my article "Dyeing Yarn at Home – Is It Possible?" and gives you 10 wonderful plants to naturally dye your yarn – complete with DIY instructions, care tips, and a sprinkle of creative curiosity.

🌼 Why Choose Plant-Based Dyes?

Because they are:

• Sustainable – no microplastics, no harsh chemicals

• Unique – every skein is a one-of-a-kind creation

• Natural – like colors straight from a garden journal

🧺 What You'll Need

Basic tools:

• Enamel or stainless steel pot

• Sieve, spoon, bowl

• Gloves

• Thermometer (optional)

• Natural yarn (preferably untreated wool)

• Mordant (e.g. alum or vinegar, depending on the plant)

💡 The more natural the yarn, the richer the result!

🎨 10 Popular Plants for Dyeing

Plant | Color | Special Features:

1. Brown onion skins: Color: Golden yellow to rust red | Vibrant and easy to find
2. Beetroot: Color: Dusty rose to deep red | Warm but slightly less colorfast
3. Avocado skins & pits: Color: Pale pink to brick red | Surprising and trendy
4. Turmeric: Color: Bright yellow | Intense, but sensitive to light
5. Elderberries: Color: Grayish purple | Needs alum for good results
6. Walnut shells: Color: Dark brown | Extremely colorfast
7. Chamomile flowers: Color: Soft yellow | Gentle and floral
8. Nettles: Color: Shades of green | Best when young
9. Hibiscus flowers_ Color: Lilac to pink | Color changes with pH level
10. Red cabbage: Color: Blue to purple | A pH chameleon – reacts to acids/bases 

🧪 How to Dye Your Yarn – Step-by-Step 

1. Prep your yarn:
   Soak in warm water with a little dish soap for 30 min. Rinse well. This helps the dye absorb better.

2. Make the mordant bath (optional):
   Dissolve 10 g alum + 5 g cream of tartar per 100 g of wool in 2 l water. Simmer yarn for 1 hour (don't boil!). Let it cool down in the pot.

3. Create the dye bath:
   Chop or crush your dye plants. Simmer in water for 30–60 min. Strain.

4. Dye the yarn:
   Place the yarn in the warm dye bath. Let it sit for 1–2 hours at a max of 70 °C (160 °F), stirring gently now and then.

5. Rinse & dry:
   Rinse in cool water. Optionally fix with vinegar. Hang to dry in a shaded, airy place.

🧼 Care & Longevity  

• Hand wash only

• Use pH-neutral detergent

• Colors may fade over time – that's part of the natural charm 🌿

💡 My Tip:

Keep a little dyeing diary – note down plant types, quantities, mordants, and results. That way, you can recreate your favorite colors any time!

📣 Have you tried dyeing yarn with plants?
Come share your experience in our Facebook Group or tag me on Instagram!

#strickenimtrend #naturaldyeyarn #plantbasedcolor #sustainablecrafting #ecoyarn #dyeyarnnaturally

Do you dye by youself?

Yours,
Kathrin ☀️🧶