heather plant seeds HEATHER DYE ORGANIC ~ Yellows and green – AppleOak FibreWorks

heather plant seeds HEATHER DYE ORGANIC ~ Yellows and green – AppleOak FibreWorksORGANIC 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 plantstems, leaves, and remaining flowersmaking 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

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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