Natural Dyeing with Cochineal

While at SOAR this past fall, I took a Cochineal dyeing workshop with Demetrio Bautista, a master weaver from Oaxaca, Mexico.  Cochineal dye is made from dried and ground Cochineal insects native to Mexico and South America.

Merino wool dyed with Cochineal

undyed grey Alpaca from Brookfarm Alpacas (above), grey Alpaca dyed with Cochineal (below)

Undyed fiber and yarn is first placed in a mordant bath of alum and cream of tartar to prepare fiber for dyeing.

The dye bath is prepared by mixing the powdered Cochineal with an acid such as lime juice.

Once yarn has been cooked in the mordant bath and then dried, it can be placed in the Cochineal dye bath.

The results varied from bright fuschia to deep purple depending on the type of yarn and fiber. 

Demetrio Bautista with one of his handwoven rugs made with all natural dyes