Many dyes made from plants and fruits need the wool to be prepared first, but dark brown and black dyes made from walnuts work with no additional preparation.
To make enough dye for 5 1b/2.3 kg wool
5 lb/2.3kg whole walnuts, ripe or unripe
Cold water
Place the fresh walnuts in a large saucepan and cover generously with cold water. Bring to the boil over a moderate heat and boil for 30 minutes. Strain off the liquid into another saucepan, allow to cool, and then add the wool. Slowly bring the liquid back to the boil and simmer until the wool has a good color. Remove it from the dye, squeeze it out gently, rinse thoroughly in cold water and leave to dry.
