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It’s that time of year when reality hits indie yarn dyers: where am I going to put all that new yarn I ordered? That means it’s time for a sale on Flora Adora Fibers naturally-dyed yarns!

The Flora Adora Fibers sale collection has some out-of-the-ordinary choices, such as heritage breed Tunis Chunky and soft Targhee Polypay Silk DK. All items in the Sale Collection have been further reduced (no code needed). Here’s what you’ll find there:

Meadow Rustic Sport — Flora Adora Fiber’s best-selling yarn and rarely on sale. There were just too many different colors to manage, so some have been discontinued. Two skeins, one of each color is all you’ll need for the mosaic-stitch Pines and Needles shawl or the modular-knit Manty Wrap.

Heritage breed Tunis — A rare-breed, chunky-weight, woolen-spun yarn in naturally-dyed colors. One skein is enough for a Gathering Hat.

Mountain Sport — Made from springy and soft American Rambouillet, just two skeins will make the slip-stitch Springvale Cowl or classic Leipziger Hat.

Targhee Polypay Silk DK — Only four skeins left of this woolen-spun yarn, made at now defunct Zeilinger’s Woolen Mill in Michigan. One skein makes an eye-catching Gro Hat.

Peaceful Worsted — An Aran-weight mix of U.S. Rambouillet and Mohair, one skein of this soft, slightly fuzzy yarn makes two Elisbeth Headbands, or one Classic Ribbed Hat.

Coopworth DK — Grown in Wisconsin and spun in Michigan, this Coopworth yarn is undyed, highlighting its natural gray-brown shade, slight halo, and sheen. It has a wonderful drape, making it perfect for a Sophie Shawl or First Rhythm Wrap.

Take advantage of this sale and experience naturally-dyed yarns at super prices. All yarns are naturally dyed or undyed, and non-Superwash.

Where do natural dyes come from? Natural dye sources are all around us. But they may be invisible until they flower or set seeds. Black walnuts are an example: invisible until they drop from their trees and make a smashed mess along the roadside.

Black walnut hulls — the coverings around the actual nut (and the mess makers) — are great natural dyes, providing lovely browns. Reusing the dye bath (exhaust dyeing) provides a range of browns and tans. Here’s a sampling:

The darkest brown, Russett (on Donegal Tweed DK), comes from the first and strongest dye bath. It’s a gorgeous, slightly reddish brown. In the middle, on Meadow Rustic Tweed-Black Walnut, from the second dye bath. A nice brown brown. And finally, Latte (again on Donegal Tweed DK), from the last bath. The color strength is lessening so the yarn dyes a soft tan.

Natural dyes take a lot of time to prepare — collecting, cooking, etc. — so it only makes sense to get your money’s worth from each batch! And sometimes, exhaust dyeing is the only way to get certain colors. For example, there’s no Latte unless you dye Russett and Black Walnut first!

Hope you enjoyed learning more about where natural dyes come from. Use the link to shop yarns dyed with Black Walnut and other botanicals.