I dye in small batches using all natural materials including flowers, roots, and insects. 

Standard Colors

These are colors that are part of the permanent palette of The Dye Smith’s yarns. While the recipes from lot to lot will be the same, colors will vary! If you need more yarn than is available to ship, consider a custom order. 

Indigo Extract - Indigo vats like to be kept warm, which is difficult in my town that can experience up to 9 months a year of winter weather. I live in what is referred to as an “old Leadville house,” which means it can be difficult to keep warm! As a result, I have struggled to maintain an indigo vat. This breaks my heart because blue is my favorite color! However, I have found a liquid extract that creates beautiful shades of sky blue - while I can’t achieve the intense classic indigo blues, I still get some very pretty colors. 

Marigold flowers - When I pull this yarn out of the dye pot, it looks like pure gold. Marigold flowers have been used for fiber dyes and sacred ceremonies for thousands of years; and it’s no wonder, it does seem to have magical properties!

Cochineal - I have come to love working with this fascinating dye. It comes from a scale insect (Dactylopus coccus) that feeds on cactus in arid areas throughout the Americas. With this dye I can achieve reds, ranges of pinks and fuschias. 

Madder root - this wildly versatile dye stuff comes from the root of a shrub that is not nearly as impressive at the colors it produces! A wide range of deep reds and pinks can be achieved with this dye.