ALDER CONES – Alnus glutinosa
Natural Dye Material | Rich in Tannins | Origin: Europe

Alder cones, much like alder bark, are rich in natural tannins that yield soft, earthy shades of brown, beige and warm yellow. Depending on the concentration and modifiers used, they can produce both gentle golden hues and deeper nut browns with a pleasant, organic tone.

Naturally high in tannins, alder cones offer medium to good colour fastness and can be used alone or as a tannin base before other plant dyes.

Dyeing Properties

• Colour range: yellow–brown to warm chestnut tones
• Tannin level: moderate to high
• Colour fastness: medium to good
• Use for: wool, silk, cotton, linen and paper

Iron modifiers darken the colour, shifting it towards greys and warm browns.

Basic Recipe

Mordant: Alum 10–15% WOF (weight of fibre)
Dyestuff: Alder cones 100–200% WOF

1. Pour boiling water over the cones and allow to steep for 24–48 hours.

2. Simmer gently for about 2 hours, then strain.

3. Add the pre-mordanted fibre to the dye bath and leave until the desired shade is reached, or soak overnight for stronger results.

4. For deeper tones, add a small amount of iron modifier at the end of the dyeing process and/or leave out the Alum mordant.

In a Nutshell

• Botanical name: Alnus glutinosa
• Form: Whole cones
• Origin: Europe
• Use: Natural dye / tannin source
• Colour fastness: Medium to good
• Storage: Keep dry, cool and away from direct sunlight

An earthy, versatile tannin source producing warm, natural tones — ideal for both standalone dyeing and tannin-rich underlayers.

We are stepping away from paper prints and will send out the recipe for this kit by pdf

MADDER NATURAL DYEING KIT FOR PLANT FIBRES ~ This Kit contains everything you need to dye 100-300g of Yarn/Fibre/Fabric.

DYE COLOURS: Red, Orange, Brown

Most natural dyes aren't immediately exhausted and you can continue dyeing several more pieces. Each new dip will result in a paler colour.
_____________________________

Don't want a Kit, but just the recipe? Click here for a downloadable PDF!


SUITABILITY

Over the past year, I have noticed that many crafters use natural dye kits to dye Cotton, linen and other plant based fibres. Unknown to them, the mordanting instructions used for Wool or Silk are unsuitable for plant based fibres and often will result in pale, short lasting colours.

We have remedied that with our collection of ever growing dye kits and stand alone dye recipes. You can now choose the dye kit according to your fibre needs  ~ protein (wool & other animal fibres) or plant based fibres (linen, hemp, cotton)

****************************

The DYE Kit makes a lovely present too - well packaged in recyclable cardboard, the dyes come in resealable stand up bags and the recipe is printed on strong booklet paper, which can be reused again and again.


What you will receive in this Kit:

Full and reusable Dyeing instructions

How to care for your plant dyed things care card

200g Madder cut, 100g Alum, 30g Soda Ash, 50g Oak Gall ground ~ all packaged in resealable stand up bags

MADDER NATURAL DYEING KIT FOR WOOL & SILK ~ This Kit contains everything you need to dye 100-300g of Yarn/Fibre/Fabric.

DYE COLOURS: Red, Orange, Brown

Most natural dyes aren't immediately exhausted and you can continue dyeing several more pieces. Each new dip will result in a paler colour.
_____________________________

Don't want a Kit, but just the recipe? Click here for a downloadable PDF!

SUITABILITY

Over the past year, I have noticed that many crafters use natural dye kits to dye Cotton, linen and other plant based fibres. Unknown to them, the mordanting instructions used for Wool or Silk are unsuitable for plant based fibres and often will result in pale, short lasting colours.

We have remedied that with our collection of ever growing dye kits and stand alone dye recipes. You can now choose the dye kit according to your fibre needs  ~ protein (wool & other animal fibres) or plant based fibres (linen, hemp, cotton)

****************************

The DYE Kit makes a lovely present too - well packaged in recyclable cardboard, the dyes come in resealable stand up bags and the recipe is printed on strong booklet paper, which can be reused again and again.


What you will receive in this Kit:

Full and reusable Dyeing instructions

How to care for your plant dyed things care card

100g Madder roots, 30g Alum, 30g Cream of tartar ~ all packaged in resealable stand up bags

RHUBARB NATURAL DYEING KIT FOR PLANT FIBRES ~ This Kit contains everything you need to dye 100-300g of Yarn/Fibre/Fabric.

DYE COLOURS: Golden Dark Yellows, Beige

 Most natural dyes aren't immediately exhausted and you can continue dyeing several more pieces. Each new dip will result in a paler colour. 
_____________________________

Don't want a Kit, but just the recipe? Click here for a downloadable PDF!

SUITABILITY 

Over the past year, I have noticed that many crafters use natural dye kits to dye Cotton, linen and other plant based fibres. Unknown to them, the mordanting instructions used for Wool or Silk are unsuitable for plant based fibres and often will result in pale, short lasting colours. 

We have remedied that with our collection of ever growing dye kits and stand alone dye recipes. You can now choose the dye kit according to your fibre need ~ protein (wool & other animal fibres) or plant based fibres (linen, hemp, cotton)

****************************

The DYE Kit makes a lovely present too - well packaged in recyclable cardboard, the dyes come in resealable stand up bags and the recipe is printed on strong booklet paper, which can be reused again and again.


What you will receive in this Kit:

Full and reusable Dyeing instructions

How to care for your plant dyed things care card

200g Rhubarb Roots, 100g Alum, 30g Soda Ash ~ all packaged in resealable stand up bags