Organic Heather cut
Heather flowers rubbed

HEATHER DYE ORGANIC ~ Yellows and green

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199 in stock

ORGANIC HEATHER DYE (Calluna vulgaris)
Dye Colour: Golden Yellow and Green-Brown | Country of Collection: Croatia

This organic heather dye (Calluna vulgaris) is wild-harvested in Croatia and includes the aerial parts of the plant—stems, leaves, and remaining flowers—making it a strong and versatile botanical dye. Traditionally used for colouring wool and tweed, it produces rich golden yellows and green-browns, especially when modified with iron.

Due to its natural tannin content, this heather dye is perfect for creating deeper, earthier tones that reflect the plant’s native landscape.

Colour Fastness: Poor - Medium


Colour Outcomes by WOF Ratio

  • 100–200% Heather Dye (WOF) → 
  • Produces golden yellow tones
    • Add 3% Iron for olive green or green-brown hues

Basic Recipe for Dyeing

Ingredients:
• 100–200% Heather (by weight of fibre)
• 10% Alum (for mordanting)
• Optional: 3% Iron

Instructions:

  1. Mordant the yarn: Dissolve alum in hot water, add yarn, and leave overnight.
  2. Extract the dye: Simmer heather in water at 85°C (185°F) for 1 hour. Strain.
  3. Rinse mordanted yarn.
  4. Add yarn to dye bath and heat to 85°C (185°F) for 1 hour or leave overnight.
  5. Rinse and dry.

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