An evergreen perennial with long, dark green spreading stems and small, star-shaped yellow flowers appearing in July and August, followed by green berries which turn red then finally black. The roots are a source of red dye and the plant is still cultivated in parts of Europe for use as a medicinal dye

Dye colour: Red

Dye source: Roots

Flowering: July - August

Other common names: Dyer's madder

How to extract the dyes: 

• Place the premordanted yarn in a pot with 8 L lukewarm water. Allow to soak thoroughly.

• Add the madder roots into the same pot.

• Heat the dye bath to +55 °C, to obtain the brightest red colours.

• Or heat to +80 °C to acquire deeper red hues.

• Stir the skein occasionally in the dye bath for an even colouring.

• Leave the yarn to cool down in the pot with the roots.

• After dyeing, gently shake off the roots from the wet yarn.

• Rinse yarn thoroughly with water

For more information about the dyeing process:

Natural dyes for education and colour experimentation