One of my favorite things about natural dyeing is that the color variations are so subtle. All three of the above yarns are yellow, yet they vary so significantly. While the lemon balm is a creamy yellow, the false sunflower dyed wool has a slight green tint. The mullein leaf dye is a more lemon-y yellow.

In addition, by adding a modifier, such as copper or iron, you can create even more variety.

How do you pronounce p-e-o-n-y? It is a fun exercise that I think may have regional influences. I'm originally from Indiana and say pEony, but many of my Maryland friends and neighbors say peOny. However, you say it peonies have many benefits.

My favorite are the old fashioned ones that smell like heaven. As a little girl, I remember my grandparents had a beautiful row of peonies across their backyard that I could smell as I sailed through the air on the swing. Then, I had no idea how I would come to value them as healing balms and natural dye material.

Peony has medicinal benefits.Since I am no doctor, I will save that for you to research. For the skin, peony is known for healing free radical damage, soothing sensitive skin, and diminishing wrinkles. After learning this, I decided to make a simple peony petal sugar scrub with peony flowers, sugar, rosehip seed oil, and sunflower oil. I'm going to begin offering both peony and rose petal sugar scrub in the shop.

If it's beautiful and beneficial, why not try dying yarn with it? Below is a picture of the solar dye jar of baby alpaca and peony petals with a little alum. For this project I used some unscented magenta colored peony petals. Not surprisingly, the resulting color was not what I expected but beautiful nonetheless. The color was a lovely lemon yellow. Hurray for spring!