Oxford Biocolours started with a simple question:
Why are most colours still made from polluting chemicals?

Synthetic dyes are made from fossil fuels. They work well, but they come with a big environmental cost — using harsh chemicals, lots of water, and leaving waste behind. We believed there had to be a better way.

So we went back to the lab.

Founders Jim and Darren began researching plant-based dyes that could truly replace synthetic ones — colours that wouldn’t fade in the sun, run in the wash, or rely on toxic chemicals to work.

At first, this was pure science. Then something unexpected happened.

Yarn samples started disappearing. Jim’s wife had picked up a crochet hook and began testing the dyed yarn for herself. What came back were finished pieces — wearable, beautiful, and full of life. The colours weren’t just working. They were singing.

That’s when it clicked.

This wasn’t just chemistry anymore. It was craft. It was people. It was the joy of making something with your hands and knowing where it came from.

Today, Oxford Biocolours brings lab-developed, plant-based dyes together with British wool and skilled dyeing partners to create yarn that’s bold, reliable, and genuinely better for the planet.

We’re here to prove that sustainable colour doesn’t have to be dull — and that great yarn can be kind, clever, and a little bit rebellious.

If you believe great yarn can be kind to the planet and bold on the needle (and hook!), you’re in the right place.