A Beginner’s Guide to Dyeing Wool With Natural Dyes

By Sarabeth Paraido

As we head into the fall and holiday season, many will start to handcraft their gifts for loved ones.   For those who raise their own fiber animals,  this is a wonderful expression of their creativity and love for both their animals and the ones they are gifting their items with.  One of the most magical parts of working with fiber is watching wool transform—from a soft, creamy fleece to vibrant yarn full of depth and life. Natural dyeing is a craft of tradition, yet it’s wonderfully accessible for beginners. With just a few simple tools and a handful of natural elements, you can create stunning, earthy colors from your own fields.

Whether you’re a spinner, knitter, or dyer curious about trying something new, this guide will walk you through the basics of dyeing wool using materials you can find in your kitchen or backyard.

Why Natural Dyeing?

Natural dyes offer colors that synthetic dyes simply can’t replicate—soft, nuanced shades that shift beautifully in the light. Even better, the process connects you directly to the land, the season, and the materials around you. Onion skins, goldenrod from your field, black walnuts from an old tree, avocado pits, marigold petals, even coffee grounds—nature really does supply a rainbow.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need fancy equipment—just a few dedicated tools and your dye materials.

Supplies

• 100% wool yarn or roving

• A large stainless steel pot— avoid copper or aluminum- more on that below

• Warm water

• A mild dish soap or wool wash

• Natural dye materials (ideas below!)

• Alum for mordanting

• A strainer or old mesh bag (optional)

Choosing Your Natural Dye Ingredients

Here are some easy, beginner-friendly dye materials:

• Onion skins (yellow or red): yellows, golds, terra-cotta

• Black walnut hulls: rich browns

• Avocado pits & skins: blush pinks

• Goldenrod: bright sunny yellows

• Marigold flowers: warm yellow-orange

• Tea or coffee: soft tans and browns

• Red cabbage: blues and purples (with pH shifting!)

Step-by-Step: How to Dye Wool Naturally

1. Prep Your Wool

Fill a bowl or sink with lukewarm water and a tiny bit of wool wash. Gently let your wool soak for 20–30 minutes. Tip: Avoid letting water temp fluctuate too much to prevent felting.

2. Mordant the Wool

A mordant helps the color bond to the wool and stay vibrant.  Dissolve 1 tablespoon alum per 100g wool in a warm pot of water.   Add your wool and simmer gently (do not boil) for 45–60 minutes.  You want to use a stainless steel pot as aluminum and copper will also act as a mordant while you dye and can dull or alter your intended colors.

Let the wool cool in the mordant bath and then remove and dispose of mordant water.

3. Prepare the Dye Bath

Place your dye materials in the pot and cover with water. Simmer (again, be careful not to boil!) for about 30–60 minutes until you see the water take on deep color.

Examples:

• A few handfuls of onion skins

• 5–8 avocado pits

• 2 cups crushed walnut hulls

Strain the plant material if you want a smoother dye bath.

4. Add the Wool

Gently place the wet, mordanted wool into the dye bath. Slowly heat it back up to a simmer—never boiling—and hold it there 30–60 minutes.

The wool will gradually “drink in” the color. Stir gently every 10-15 minutes and watch the magic happen.

5. Let It Cool

Turn off the heat and allow the wool to cool completely in the dye bath, even overnight. This deepens the color and helps it set.

6. Rinse and Dry

Rinse the wool gently in cool water until the water runs clear. Hang or lay flat to dry.

Results You Can Expect

Your color will vary depending on:

• How much plant material you use

• The temperature of your bath

• How long you let the fiber steep

• The pH of your water

Natural dyeing is full of surprises—in the best way! Each batch is beautifully unique.

And of course—experimenting with wool from your own flock is extra rewarding!

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Sarabeth Parido, is the Director of the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival and The Kentucky Fiber Trail. She raises her own small flock of sheep in Clark County, Kentucky along with

her husband and four sons.