Nordic Easter: The Art of Natural Egg Dyeing

Why we trade bright stickers for onion skins and blueberries.

A display of naturally dyed Easter eggs, nestled in a ceramic bowl amidst ferns and blooms. Each egg boasts earthy hues, crafted from kitchen staples like onion skins, blueberries, and coffee, embodying the charm of imperfection and the joy of unpredictability.

The Philosophy

In the supermarket, you will see kits for neon blue and shocking pink eggs. They are bright, fast, and plastic. But the Nordic Easter palette is pulled from the earth. We use what we have in the kitchen: onion skins for deep amber, blueberries for grey-blue, and coffee for rich brown. The beauty is in the imperfection. When you unwrap the linen, you never know exactly what the egg will look like. It is a lesson in letting go of control.

The Materials

• White eggs

• Yellow Onion Skins: For gold/amber.

• Red Onion Skins: For deep rust/brown.

• Frozen Blueberries: For slate blue.

• Old Linen or Stockings: To wrap the eggs.

• Leaves/Flowers: To create patterns (optional).

A child carefully prepares to dye an egg by pressing a fern against it, ready to wrap in linen for a natural decoration technique.

The Process

1. The Wrap: Press a small leaf (parsley or fern works well) against the raw egg. Wrap the egg tightly in the linen/stocking and tie it off.

2. The Bath: Place the wrapped eggs in a pot with water and your chosen ingredient (skins or berries). Add a splash of vinegar to set the color.

3. The Simmer: Boil gently for 10-15 minutes, then let them cool in the dye water. The longer they sit, the deeper the color.

4. The Reveal: Cut the string. Peel back the fabric. Rub a little olive oil on the shell to make it shine.

A Quiet Invitation

To live in closer rhythm with the season, explore our current Seasonal PlayBook.

 A collection of low-prep, sensory-rich invitations to play; created to help you pause, connect, and gently inhabit the days, whatever the weather holds.

View the current Seasonal PlayBook →