How to Dye Yarn with Turkey Tail Mushrooms and Wildflowers

Materials & tools you'll need

Step 1 — Gather and prepare your plant material

Gather your turkey tail mushrooms along with your wildflowers — aster, and purple or red clover work well here. Use scissors to cut the blossoms off the aster, keeping the mushrooms and flower material separate, since each will make its own dye bath. Wear a mask and gloves throughout this stage, as recommended whenever you're working closely with foraged plants and dyes.

Step 2 — Simmer separate dye baths

Fill a pot with water for each type of plant material — one for the mushrooms, one for the aster and clover — and place them on the stove to simmer. Let each simmer until it releases its colour into the water, keeping the two baths separate so you can see how each material performs on its own.

Step 3 — Scour the yarn

While the dye baths simmer, tie each skein of yarn so it doesn't come apart during washing. Fill a large pot with warm water and add a few drops of pH-neutral soap or eucalyptus wool wash, then soak the yarn in this soapy water while you finish preparing the dye baths and mordant.

Step 4 — Mordant the yarn and combine with the dye baths

Prepare your mordant by mixing alum powder, cream of tartar, and boiling water, stirring until the ingredients fully dissolve. Rinse the scoured yarn, add it to a fresh pot of water, then pour in the mordant mixture and stir well. Add your plant material — the simmered mushrooms and the aster and clover — into the pot with the mordanted yarn.

Step 5 — Dye, soak, and dry

Allow the mixture to simmer for approximately one hour, then strain out all of the plant material and rinse the yarn thoroughly before the final dyeing step. Let the yarn soak overnight in the dye bath, then wash it out and hang it to dry. Once dry, you'll see the results: the aster and clover blossoms produce a happy green colour, while the turkey tail mushrooms give a finer, more subtle brown tone.

Frequently asked questions

What materials are required for this project?
You'll need turkey tail mushrooms, wildflowers such as aster and purple or red clover, high-quality white yarn (such as Briggs and Little Regal wool in Bleached White), alum powder, cream of tartar, eucalyptus wool wash or a pH-neutral soap, and basic kitchen utensils like a pot, scissors, and measuring cups. Masks and gloves are also recommended.

What is the skill level required for this yarn dyeing project?
This project is suitable for beginners who have some basic knowledge of dyeing and yarn preparation.

Can you explain the dip-dye method used in this project?
In this tutorial, the yarn is soaked overnight in the combined dye bath and mordant mixture before being rinsed and dried, rather than being dipped multiple times — a straightforward way to build up colour from foraged materials.

What safety precautions should be taken when working on this project?
Wear masks and gloves when working with plants and dyes, and stay mindful of any potential allergies or skin irritants that could come into contact with your skin during the process.

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