Machine Knitting Workshops
November Online Workshop Series
Hi, I’m Ria!
I’m a knitwear designer-maker, that specialises in working with local wool. I’m also a natural dyer, and dye all of the yarn for my brand using plants I’ve grown in my North Somerset garden.
Alongside my knitwear practice, I teach workshops (in-person and online) in natural dyes, dye plant growing and machine knitting. In 2023 my first book ‘Dyeing Yarn Naturally’ was published by the Crowood Press.
I run Seed to Skein, a growing-led membership community for yarn dyers who want to learn to grow and work with natural dyes.
I also work with private clients and research organisations, providing natural dyeing consultancy, dyeing and design services. I’m currently working on an Arts Council funded research project into improving the sustainability of my natural dye practice.
New in The Shop
Dried Homegrown Dyes and Natural Materials for Makers
Alum sulphate is a metal-salt based mordant used for fixing natural dye colours. It’s the most commonly used natural dye mordant, producing vibrant, long-lasting outcomes.
A 50g pack will mordant over 500g of yarn or other natural fibre.
A great addition to buy with our homegrown dried natural dyes!
Availability: In Stock
Size: 50g aluminium sulphate mordant
Click here for shipping and return info.
The 2026 crop of homegrown weld is now available!
Not only are these dyes fully traceable, they have been grown organically in a climate beneficial way, using a no-dig system and grown in peat free compost.
Weld is one of the most colourfast yellow dyes, producing a range from lemon to neon yellow. It has been finely chopped and dried so it is ready for the dye pot.
Available in 50g packs, which are vacuum sealed and resealable to ensure freshness. 50g of dried weld will dye 200g of yarn or fabric a bright lemon yellow. An information sheet will be included in the package with dye recipes and colour ideas.
Alum mordant recommended for best results - add a pack for £3.
Due to my small growing space, limited stocks are available from this harvest.
Availability: In Stock
Dye: Weld (Reseda Luteola)
Size: 50g
Click here for shipping and return info. UK orders only.
A perfect gift for yarn crafters - this bundle contains everything you need to get started with dyeing yarn naturally!
The set comes wrapped and in a box ready for gifting, and contains:
A signed copy of Ria’s book ‘Dyeing Yarn Naturally’
1 × 100g skein of 100% Bluefaced Leicester wool sock yarn - pre treated with a mordant, meaning it is ready for dyeing!
25g of dried homegrown coreopsis flowers - enough to dye the yarn a rich orange shade
If you would like a personalised gift message written in the book, please write this in the ‘Gift Notes’ box at checkout.
All purchases from Ria Burns Knitwear come gift wrapped with recycled tissue paper and tied with a naturally dyed yarn. You can even add a gift note at checkout and send the item directly to the lucky recipient!
Availability: In Stock
Click here for shipping and return info
Seed to Skein
A Growing-Led Natural Dye Membership
Open for members, with new content released every month.
Catch up on all content any time - it’s not too late in the year to join!
Read the blog post celebrating the first six months of the membership
Would you like to grow your own natural dye plants next year?
In this online workshop, Ria will introduce you to a range of plants that can be grown for plant-powered colour, and share ways to create a dye garden that works with the space you have available.
Whether you have a windowsill, balcony, garden, allotment or farm, there are dye plants that you can grow. Ria will talk through plant placement, soil and nutrients, and how to make the most of your growing space. They’ll also share dye samples from each plant, demonstrating the range of colours that can be achieved from home-grown dyes.
Ria will share their plans for the third year of growing natural dyes in their North Somerset garden, and explore how previous growing spaces have influenced and informed the development of their current dye garden.
There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions during the session, as well as time for questions at the end.
The workshop will be hosted on Zoom at 7pm GMT on Thursday 12th November. Registration is available up to one hour before the event. Participants will receive the meeting link via email a few days before the workshop.
Unable to make the live session? No problem. You’ll receive the recording and slides afterwards, with 30 days to catch up in your own time.
About Ria
Ria Burns has eight years’ experience growing natural dye plants for their business and holds an RHS Level 2 qualification in Practical Horticulture. They are the author of Dyeing Yarn Naturally, published by The Crowood Press in 2023.
Interested in learning more about growing and working with natural dyes? Take a look at Seed to Skein, Ria’s growing-led natural dye membership community.
CONCESSIONARY DISCOUNT
Students and those on a low wage can save 15% off the ticket price of this or any other workshop using the code CONC15.