Me in the dye garden, late Summer 2025.
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 also work with private clients and research organisations, providing natural dyeing consultancy, dyeing and design services. You can see some examples of recent project work here.
Since 2018, I’ve designed and made my eponymous range of knitwear, using local wool and natural dyes. I make all of the pieces in small batches on a 1980s hand powered knitting machine, using yarn that I’ve dyed with plants grown in my back garden. This results in a product that’s sustainable, local, and traceable.
Naturally Dyed Local Wool Knitwear
Betty - my trusty knitting machine!
Every piece knitted and finished by hand
Dyed using plants grown in my garden
The Wool I use is sourced from Fernhill Farm – an award-winning regenerative farm on the Mendips in Somerset. They are situated just 10 miles away from my North Somerset studio – a very local supplier! They specialise in cross-bred sheep that are hardy enough to cope with the Mendip Hills weather, but produce a fleece that is soft, lustrous and hard wearing. I buy first clip lambswool from their Shetland-Romney flock, and send it to a spinning mill in Wales or Dorset, depending on the finish I need. The resulting yarn is soft yet durable, with beautiful natural tones.
The Dyes are derived entirely from plants grown in my back garden. I’ve been growing natural dyes since 2019, and over the years I have refined the plants I grow into a selection that not only creates a vibrant, long lasting colour palette, but is hardy and resilient to our wild West country climate. I grow organically in a no-dig system, using no fertilisers.
Everything in my supply chain can be traced, apart from the alum mordant I use to pre-treat the yarns. I only use this when necessary in order to produce long lasting natural dye colour that doesn’t fade or wash out. I would love to find a local, plant-based alternative to alum and am currently investigating options.
My knitwear is designed for longevity and made to be cherished, looked after, and passed on. Everything I make can also be returned to the soil at the end of its useful life cycle. I take pride in showcasing both the natural hues and qualities of wool and the vibrant colours produced by natural dyes.
I follow the Fibreshed approach of creating local soil-to-soil textiles – meaning my knitwear is made from natural fibres and dyes, and totally biodegradable. At the end of its life as a garment, the wool can be composted, returning nutrients to the soil.
I’m always thinking about how I can have the lowest environmental impact, from sourcing the raw materials and making the knitwear, to zero waste manufacturing processes and plastic-free packaging. Everything counts – my yarn ends get used to attach my swing tags, and the smaller scraps go into the compost which feeds next years' dye plants.
Andy and Jen at Fernhill Farm, with their sheepdogs (and sheep!)
A bit more about me and my brand
I have a first in BA Fashion Design from Batley School of Art and an MA in Textile Design from Bath Spa University. I researched and developed my brand of naturally dyed, British wool knitwear during my MA and launched the brand in September 2018 via a Crowdfunder campaign. This enabled me to raise the funds to build my dye garden, move into a studio, and invest in my first batch of local wool.
Since then I have built my business and brand to be multi-faceted. Alongside making knitwear and growing the dye plants, I regularly facilitate workshops and provide talks and guest lectures in natural dyes and horticulture. I also provide freelance dyeing and design services and consultancy to brands, artists and private clients.
In 2023 I achieved a Level 2 Qualification in Practical Horticulture (RHS), and I became a published author. My book Dyeing Yarn Naturally is available to buy from my shop or all good booksellers.
I am a founding member of South West England Fibreshed, and follow their ethos of creating soil-to-soil textiles created within our local textile economy. In 2024 I published a research project called ‘South West Colour Library’ which was funded by the Fibreshed. This piece of research is open source and can be viewed here.
If you want to see what I get up to day-to-day, follow me on Instagram. I have an account for textile work and an account for gardening!
My debut book - available to buy now!
The South West Colour Library
Other things I do:
provide design and consultancy services to small and emerging sustainable brands/wool producers
undertake research into natural dyes with universities and other organisations
collaborate with artists and artisans wishing to use natural dyes in their work
naturally dye yarn and garments to order for other small businesses
work with local stockists that share my ethos
lecture/teach natural dyeing classes in academic and private settings
sell natural dyes and seeds from my garden, and dyeing kits
I am always up for sharing ideas and collaborating with other craftspeople and textile innovators – get in touch and let’s talk!