This page contains a brief description of each natural dye that we have used (we’ll add more as they are used in future batches).
This is where it all starts … with the natural color of the fleece …
Acorn
Live Oak acorns native to Texas. Available in the fall. Yields a light golden tan. Texas settlers used it for flour and coffee.
Brown Eyed Susan
Texas perennial that blooms in the summer. Bright yellow flowers with brown/black centers. Part of the sunflower family. The flower is used to produce a sage green.
Cochineal
A Texas native insect that lives on prickly pear cactus. The red or carmine color has been used for centuries to dye clothes, as paint and as food coloring.
Dandelion
The dandelion plant is a Texas native that creates a lovely butter yellow. The flower, stalk and leaves are used to dye.
Loquat
The loquat is not native to Texas, but it thrives here! The leaves of this tropical fruit tree produce a light peach dye, much like the color of the fruit.
Pomegranate
Fruit of the small tree or large scrub is used to create a deep gold dye color. The fruit is normally ripe in Texas around September. We eat all we can and dye with the rest.
Rosemary
Rosemary is not native to Texas but, it thrives here! This aromatic plant produces a lovely yellow that changes to a pretty sage green with an iron mordant.
Sumac
Flaming Sumac, a small tree that flourishes in the limestone outcroppings of the Hill Country of Texas. All parts of the tree will produce a strong gray dye but, the fall berries are the best.
Texas in My Hands™ 