There are close to one hundred different natural dye yielding materials found in nature ranging from dyeing materials from the kitchen, the garden, and as gathered materials. Additionally, natural dyes that are not readily grown or gathered can be purchased as powders and extracts. These dyes are indicated by (*) in the list below.

In my own dye practice I use approximately 15 different natural dye sources most of which I grow in my dye garden or gather in the wild. As you’ll see in the listing below, the dye plants will often yield a range of colors depending on the acidity of the dye bath, the yarn bases used, the freshness and amounts of plant material, etc. These are some of the reasons for each skein being a one of a kind and not easily repeated color.

Avocado: Pinks and browns
Black walnut: Browns
Dyer’s Coreopsis: Oranges and browns
Goldenrod: Yellows
Hopi Red Amaranth: Pinks
Indigo (fermentation vat): Blues
Indigo (fresh): Blues and turquoises
Lobster Mushroom: Yellows and pinks
Logwood*: Blues and purples
Madder Root*: Reds and oranges
Marigolds: Yellows and oranges
Osage orange*: Yellows
Phragmites australis: Greens and yellows
Red onion skin: Greens and yellows
Sulphur Cosmos: Oranges
Yellow onion skin: Yellows