ANNATTO – ORGANIC, NON-ORGANIC & POWDERED

Botanical name: Bixa orellana
Dye colour: Yellow, orange, copper

Wool, silk, cotton and linen can all be dyed successfully with annatto. It yields warm yellows to rich orange tones and combines beautifully with other dyes such as cochineal and madder for extended colour ranges.

We offer three forms of annatto due to availability:
• Organic Whole Seeds – Wild harvested in Côte d'Ivoire
• Non-Organic Whole Seeds – Standard dye grade
• Non-Organic Powdered Seeds – Finely ground for quicker extraction and even application

Colour Range & Combinations

• Use with cochineal and cream of tartar for orange-red colours
• Pre-dye silk with madder, then add to an annatto bath for copper-orange
• Combine with tartaric acid to achieve yolk yellow

The dye is not very lightfast and may need to be refreshed after a few years. However, blending annatto with cochineal improves durability.

Basic Recipe for Yellow

100 g wool or silk, mordanted with 15% alum and 10% cream of tartar
100 g annatto seeds

1. Soak annatto seeds overnight with 10 g soda ash

2. Blend the soaked seeds and simmer for 1 hour

3. Strain through cloth and tie off seeds in a dye bag

4. Add silk to dye bath for 20 minutes at 80 °C

5. Remove silk; simmer wool in the same bath for 1 hour (without dye bag)

6. Return silk for an additional 15 minutes

This bath can be reused for lighter yellow-orange tones.
Pre-soaking wool in a vinegar bath for 10 minutes can enhance the brightness of the final shade.

In a nutshell

• Material: Annatto seeds (whole or powdered)
• Botanical name: Bixa orellana
• Grades offered: Organic, non-organic, powdered
• Dye colours: Yellow, orange, orange-red, copper
• Fibre compatibility: Wool, silk, linen, cotton
• Fastness: Poor to medium
• Best used with: Cochineal, madder, cream of tartar, tartaric acid

German Weld (Reseda luteola) – Dried Natural Dye Plant

Our German Weld offers clear, lightfast yellow for your natural dye projects. With a yellow dye content of 5–8%, this classic botanical dye delivers reliable, vibrant results on wool, silk, and cellulose fibres. Sourced from Germany and carefully dried, it’s a staple for every natural dyer’s studio.

Weld (Reseda luteola) is renowned for producing beautiful yellow shades and for its role in creating historic greens such as Saxon or Lincoln green (achieved by dyeing indigo first, then weld). Consistent, high-quality results every time.

Colour fastness: Excellent

Simple Recipe:
A basic recipe for dyeing wool with Reseda:

• Use 50–100% Reseda (Weld) extract at 80°C for one hour. (Strongest yellow achieved with 100%)

• Add 7–10% soda ash

• Wool mordanted with alum at 10%—leave overnight for best results

Perfect for beginner and experienced dyers alike!

• Sourced from Germany

• 5–8% yellow dye content

• Dried, cut plant material (not powdered)

• Sold by weight (kg)

• Excellent lightfastness

100 % Natural Indigo | Origin: India | No synthetic additives

Harvested and processed in southern India, this true indigo powder delivers the deep, cool blues prized by dyers for centuries. Because indigo is an insoluble pigment (not a dye that bonds with a mordant), no mordant is required—just a reduced (oxygen-free) vat.

Why choose our indigo?

• Authentic & plant-based – Derived solely from Indigofera tinctoria leaves; never synthetic.
• Economical – ≈ 50 g colours 3–4 kg of wool to a strong mid-blue.
• Low-energy process – Vats work at 30 – 40 °C; no hard boiling.
• Versatile methods – Suitable for any indigo vat, be it fructose, mineral or bran-ferment vats, yeast vats, sig vats or quick hydros vats.
• Excellent colour-fastness – Outstanding on deeper shades, good on lighter blues.

Typical yield
• Pale sky blue – 1 g per 100 g fibre
• Medium denim – 5 g per 100 g fibre
• Deep navy – 12 g + per 100 g fibre (multiple dips)

Quick-start options
• Organic Sugar Vat – Indigo + lime + fructose (no fermentation wait).
• Yeast Fermentation Vat – Gentle, long-lasting; see recipe below.
• Hydros Vat – Fast one-hour reduction (includes chemical oxygen remover).

Yeast Vat Recipe (500 g fibre)
9 l water · 110 g sugar · 50 g preservative-free dried yeast
30 g bicarbonate of soda · 40 g indigo (ground)
• Maintain 40 °C (not above 50 °C).
• Reduce for 48 h until liquid turns yellow-green with a copper sheen.
• Dip pre-wetted, unmordanted fibre; oxidise 60 min; repeat for depth.

Storage & safety
Store in a cool, dry place, sealed against moisture. Wear a mask when handling fine pigment and gloves when working with lime, hydros or iron additives. Dispose of spent vats responsibly.

Looking for a complete setup? Our Indigo Sugar Vat Kit and Hydros Vat Kit include all auxiliaries, plus step-by-step instructions.

GLOSSY BUCKTHORN BARK DYE (Frangula alnus)
Dye Colour: Golden Yellow, Pinks, and Reds | Country of Collection: Bosnia

Glossy Buckthorn Bark is a pH-sensitive natural dye, wild-collected in Bosnia. Historically valued for its versatile colour range, it delivers golden yellow tones at a neutral pH, shifts to pink and red at higher pH levels (10–11), but it is unstable; and can yield green with the addition of iron. This bark’s gentle fragrance and good colour fastness make it a favourite among natural dyers and paint makers alike.

Colour Fastness: Good

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio

• 65g Buckthorn Bark per 100g Fibre
  Produces a spectrum from golden yellow at neutral pH to rosy reds at alkaline pH (unstable), with iron modifying towards green.

Basic Recipe for Dyeing

Ingredients: 65g Buckthorn Bark, 100g Mordanted Wool (approx. 13g Alum)

1. Soak bark for 2 days.
2. Simmer the bark in water for 2 hours; strain through cloth.
3. Add wool/fibre (along with the bark in a dye bag if desired) and simmer 1 hour.
4. Rinse well and allow to dry.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences, join courses and get support from fellow growers and dyers.

COCHINEAL DYE ~ Dye colours red, pinks to purples

Origin: Canary Islands, Spain. Organically farmed and processed by Canaturex 

I am so delighted to have finally found some organic Cochineal. Lorenzo is one of the very first offering fully traceable Cochineal grown to organic principals.

Cochineal, a powerful dye sourced from tiny insects that feed on cacti, produces stunning shades of purple, red and pink. With just one dye bath, this incredible insect can create a range of hues, from deep, rich reds to delicate, fairy-like pinks. It is derived from the Dactylopius species of insects, and its body contains 19-22% carminic acid.

*To make one kilogram of cochineal dye, it takes about 80,000 to 100,000 insects. 

Excellent colour fastness is guaranteed.

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Recipe for Wool Fibres: Downloadable PDF

Recipe For Plant Fibres: Downloadable PDF

Basic recipe:

6% Cochineal
Wool yarn mordanted with Alum 10%


Soak Cochineal in Water overnight
blend using a stick blender

Add dye to dye bath
Bring to a simmer
Remove any black tar like bubbles

Strain through a cloth and keep to the side
Add yarn to bath simmer for one hour.

Add dye bag to second and any following dye baths.

Organic European Solidago
Dye Colour: Yellow, Orange, and Green | Organically Grown in Poland

Our Organic Solidago, also known as Goldenrod, is carefully grown and harvested in Europe, specifically Poland. Solidago is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family, with species found across meadows, prairies, and savannas, and is native to North America. This beautiful plant produces vibrant yellow, orange, and green hues when used for natural dyeing, making it a versatile addition to your dyeing projects.

Colour Fastness: Medium - Good

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio:

• 25% WOF Dye (Solidago): Produces a soft, pale yellow hue.
• 50% WOF Dye (Solidago): Yields a deeper, vibrant yellow.
• 100% WOF Dye (Solidago): Results in a rich, golden yellow with orange undertones.

Basic Recipe for Yellow:

• Ingredients: 100% Solidago, Wool (Alum Mordant 10%)
• Instructions:
  • Soak the Solidago leaves for 1 day or overnight.
  • Boil the soaked leaves for 1 hour and drain.
  • Simmer the yarn in the dye bath for up to 1 hour.
  • Rinse and dry to reveal a stunning yellow hue.

Unlock the potential of this naturally vibrant dye and enjoy the rich colours it brings to your fabrics and yarns.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

Organic Ground, Cut, or Whole Hibiscus Flowers
Vibrant Pink & Purple Hues for Dyeing | Cultivated in Egypt

Hibiscus flowers are an excellent choice for natural dyeing, offering stunning shades from light purples to deep pinks and even greens, depending on the mordant used. Ground Hibiscus produces a lighter purple hue on wool, while cut or whole flowers yield more vibrant tones. This pH-sensitive dye is perfect for hobby dyers and children’s activities, as it offers interesting colour shifts - from green to purple to pink -  and an experimental approach to dyeing.

Dyeing Tips:

• Ground Hibiscus: Use 50% of the dye weight relative to the fabric for a light purple hue.
• Cut or Whole Hibiscus: Use 75-100% of the dye weight relative to the fabric for deeper tones.
• pH Sensitivity: Hibiscus dye is pH-sensitive, meaning colour can shift, creating fun and unique results—perfect for those who enjoy experimenting.

Colour Fastness: Poor (colour may shift with pH changes)

Basic Hibiscus Dye Recipe:

1. Mordanting: Use Alum (10-15%) for dyeing wool.
2. Dye Ratio:
   • For mordanted fabric or yarn: Use 50-100% Hibiscus dye relative to the weight of the dry fibre.
3. Dyeing Process:
   • Soak Hibiscus flowers or powder in water and simmer.
   • Add mordanted fabric and simmer until the desired colour is achieved.

A delightful and experimental natural dye, perfect for adding beautiful, ever-changing shades to your projects!

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences and get support from fellow growers.

OAK BARK DYE (Quercus spp.)
Dye Colour: Golden Beige and Browns | Country of Collection: Poland

Oak Bark is a tannin-rich, natural dye source used for centuries to achieve warm, earthy tones on wool and silk. Thanks to its high tannin content, no mordant is strictly necessary, but will result in better colour fastness. Experimenting with iron and adding oak galls can deepen or modify your results. Lighter beige tones emerge with lower pH (around 5), and deeper browns develop under higher pH (around 8), though iron is a more stable solution for darker tones.

Colour Fastness: Good

Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio

• 50–100% WOF Oak Bark
  Produces a range of golden beige to medium browns, with the flexibility to go darker by adjusting the pH or boosting tannins with oak galls.

Basic Recipe for Dyeing

Ingredients:

• 50–100% Oak Bark (by weight of fibre)
• Wool or Silk (mordant not strictly necessary due to high tannin content)

Instructions:

1. Soak the oak bark overnight in water.
2. Simmer the soaked bark for 2 hours, then strain through a cloth.
3. Add wool or silk to the dye bath.
4. Simmer gently for 1 hour.
5. Cool & Rest: Allow the fibre to soak in the dye bath overnight to deepen the colour.
6. Rinse & Dry: Rinse the dyed fibre in cool water and hang to dry.

Embrace the rich tradition of oak bark dye and bring timeless, organic hues to your fibre projects—perfect for both beginners and seasoned natural dyers.

Join The Natural Dyers & Growers Academy to share your experiences, join courses and get support from fellow growers and dyers.

Dried Organic Walnut Shells
Rich Golden & Dark Browns for Dyeing | Wild-Harvested in Croatia

Walnut shells are a natural dye source, producing beautiful golden to deep brown hues. While fresh green husks yield the richest browns, dried shells provide an accessible and effective alternative—perfect for wool and silk dyeing.

Dyeing Tips:

• Mordanting: Tannins in walnut shells assist in dyeing, but a mordant can enhance colour depth.
• Soaking: Pre-soak the shells overnight for better colour extraction.
• Dyeing Methods: Can be used with or without a mordant—experiment to find your preferred shade.

Colour Fastness: Good – Excellent

Basic Walnut Shell Dye Recipe

(Adjust quantities as needed for different shades.)

Ingredients:

• 100% walnut shells by weight of fibre
• Wool (mordant optional)

Instructions:

1. Soak walnut shells overnight.
2. Simmer for 2 hours, then strain through cloth.
3. Add wool to the dye bath and simmer for 1 hour.
4. Let cool and leave in the dye bath overnight.
5. Rinse and dry.

A sustainable and traditional way to achieve rich, earthy browns in your fibre projects!

POMEGRANATE PEELS ~ CUT & GROUND ORGANIC ~ can be used as Tannin and as yellow dye

The pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, that grows between 5 and 10 m tall. The pomegranate originated in the region extending from Iran to northern India and has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region.

 Colourfastness: good - excellent

Recipe:

For how to mordant your Cellulose fibres, please see my blog post 

 How to mordant linen and cotton fabrics successfully – AppleOak FibreWorks

If you are using protein fibres, a simple 10%Alum bath will do for mordanting, but protein fibres can also be dyed without a mordant when using Pomegranate peel due to its tannin content.

Once mordanted:

Add 100% pomegranate peel to 80degrees Celcius Water for one hour. (100% of the dry Weight of your Fibre/Fabric) If using powder, stir regularly or it will burn the bottom of your pan.

After an hour, switch of the heat and add the fabric/fibre. Leave to up to 3 days, until desired depth of colour. 

Wash, rinse, dry.

 Pomegranate Powder can also be used as a tannin and for printing when combined with Alum and Guar Gum.

ORGANIC IRISH WELD ~ Homegrown in Co. Clare, Ireland

(Reseda luteola / Dyer’s Weld)

Bring a piece of Ireland’s dye heritage into your studio with our homegrown Weld! Grown in Co. Clare from our own carefully saved seed, we follow organic standards and sustainable practices throughout the growing process—though we are not organically certified (yet). Every plant is tended by hand, using eco-friendly, regenerative methods from seed to harvest.

We love closing the loop: spent dye plants from our studio are transformed through our worm composting system, returning as rich compost to nourish the next generation of Weld. It’s a full-circle, regenerative approach that brings even more life to our fields and colours to your work.

This listing is for dried Weld plants, shredded for your convenience. Stock is limited each year according to our small-scale approach.

Why Weld?

Weld, or Dyer’s Reseda, is one of the oldest sources of brilliant, lightfast yellow for natural dyeing. From the Mediterranean to Irish fields, this plant has coloured textiles for thousands of years. Over-dye with indigo to create historic Saxon and Lincoln greens—the legendary colours of Robin Hood’s band!

We trialled our homegrown Irish Weld against both German Weld and our standard imported Weld, and the results were clear—our Irish-grown Weld produced the strongest, most vibrant colour of all. We’re delighted to share the best results from our fields with you!

Weld is the base for many of our favourite greens. The clear yellow it yields is prized for its clarity, vibrancy, and excellent colour fastness.

Product Details

• Grown in: Co. Clare, Ireland

• From our own saved seed

• Grown to organic standards (not certified)

• Regeneratively grown using our own worm-composted dye matter

• Hand-harvested, shredded, and dried

• Sold as: Shredded dried Weld

• Limited stock

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A simple Recipe

A basic recipe for dyeing wool with Reseda:

• 50-100% Reseda (Weld) extract at 80C for one hour. (The strong yellow on the felt was  achieved with 100%)

• Add 7-10% Soda Ash

• Wool (mordanted with Alum @10%) - leave overnight.

Perfect for beginner and experienced dyers alike!