Materials & tools you'll need

Half-sprouted onions, for their skins (yields approximately 5–6 skins per onion) · A pot · Water · Yarn for dyeing, preferably a natural fibre like wool or cotton · Mild detergent, for scouring · Optional mordant such as alum or copper, for pre-mordanting · Gloves and a protective mask are recommended, and work in a well-ventilated area

Step 1 — Scour your yarn

Soak your yarn in a solution of warm water and mild detergent for at least 30 minutes. This removes any oils or impurities on the fibre that could interfere with dye absorption. Rinse thoroughly and let the yarn dry completely before moving on.

Step 2 — Pre-mordant the yarn (optional)

Soak the scoured yarn in a mordant solution, such as alum or copper, for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and let it dry. This step is optional but recommended for best results — the mordant helps the dye bond more effectively to the fibre for a longer-lasting colour.

Step 3 — Prepare the onion skin dye bath

Peel the skins from your half-sprouted onions and add them to a pot filled with water. Older onion skins tend to produce a deeper, more orange shade, so don't hesitate to save skins over time if you're aiming for a richer colour.

Step 4 — Simmer the dye bath

Bring the pot up to just below a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for an extended period — several hours. The longer you simmer the dye bath, the more intense and vibrant the resulting colour will be, so be patient if you're after a deep, rich shade.

Step 5 — Cool the dye and add your yarn

Strain out the onion skins and let the liquid cool before adding your pre-mordanted yarn. Adding yarn to a hot dye bath can cause felting in wool, so give the liquid time to come down in temperature first.

Step 6 — Dye and rinse the yarn

Stir the yarn gently in the dye bath for 15–20 minutes, then remove it and rinse with warm water until the water runs clear. Work carefully and in a well-ventilated area, and consider wearing gloves and a mask throughout the dyeing process.

Step 7 — Dry and finish your yarn

Hang the dyed yarn to dry. The colour will lighten slightly as it dries but will still retain a vibrant hue. Once fully dry, give it one more rinse with warm water until the water runs clear, then let it air dry again. If desired, block the yarn to even out any irregularities in size or shape before using it in your next project.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to simmer the onion skin dye bath to achieve vibrant colours?
To achieve vibrant colours with onion skin dye, allow the mixture to simmer for an extended period — several hours. The longer you simmer the dye bath, the more intense the resulting colour will be.

Does onion skin dyed yarn lighten as it dries?
Yes, onion skin dye lightens slightly as the yarn dries but still retains a beautiful, vibrant hue. This makes it a great choice for creating dynamic, subtle shades in your yarn dyeing projects.

Enjoyed this tutorial?

Find 60+ free tutorials on YouTube. Grab a pattern from the Etsy shop, or go deeper with a community membership.

Free tutorials on YouTube →    Shop on Etsy →    Join the community →