How to Dye with Alder Cones | Catkins

Foraging from the forest is an amazing way to connect to the land and deepen your bond with nature. Here we dive into the world of foraging and dyeing with tree cones (catkins) to make some brilliant and stable dyes. The steps laid out here can help you with many different kinds of trees which make cones including birch, beech, fig, oak, alder and much more. These can all be foraged from the forest floor which represents a wonderful and sustainable source of eco-friendly colour. The tree used here is the red alder (Alnus rubra) which can be found near water along western North America.

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Yarn for this video was donated in part by Urban Yarns (urbanyarns.com). Much appreciated!

For more in-depth discussion on mordanting, check out my video on dyeing with acorns:    • How to Naturally Dye with Acorns ​⁠@W...  

New to dyeing? Start with this playlist:    • New to Dyeing? Start here!  

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I'm a wildlife ecologist who specializes in management and conservation of endangered species. I'm passionate about exploring the natural world and connecting people with nature through fiber and science. Please never cook using any of your dye equipment and always store your plants, lichens and mushrooms safely. Warning: please use good ventilation when dyeing with this plant as it can be toxic.