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Stitching & Crafting Room:  dyed wool from cactus pest- pics added  |
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auntjenny
True Blue Farmgirl
277 Posts
Jenny
San Luis Obispo
CA
USA
277 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 07:24:39 AM
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I mentioned on another post awhile back that i had found out that the little spots on our csctus were a pest thst could be just power washed off. Further, found out that this bug was the basis for red dye material that some people in mexico grow on purpose for this use. Well. I had to try this! I learned from my experiment. Got a dusty pink on white wool.Next time will boil it and co centrate it more. But still, it ws fun. Here are some pictures of the process i used.
Dream like you have a lifetime ahead of you. Live like you only have today.      |
Edited by - auntjenny on Nov 15 2014 4:09:09 PM |
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OregonGal
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Chris
No. IL
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 4:52:30 PM
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| What are the pests, white flies? |
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auntjenny
True Blue Farmgirl
277 Posts
Jenny
San Luis Obispo
CA
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2014 : 8:01:41 PM
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No. The white stuff is sort of foamy and turns reddish when scraped. Cochineal.
Dream like you have a lifetime ahead of you. Live like you only have today. |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4313 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4313 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 02:38:36 AM
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That is pretty amazin, coming form the white foamy stuff!.
just a girl farming in WI
Michele |
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kysheeplady
True Blue Farmgirl
1291 Posts
Teri
KY
USA
1291 Posts |
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auntjenny
True Blue Farmgirl
277 Posts
Jenny
San Luis Obispo
CA
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 08:00:34 AM
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It was sorty of a dusty light rose. I want to make it much darker next time.
Dream like you have a lifetime ahead of you. Live like you only have today. |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7114 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7114 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2014 : 08:11:08 AM
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Jenny, I have enjoyed going along with you on learning how to dye with the cactus pest. I have faith in you that next time it will be the perfect color.
One of the things I have noticed about crafters, seamstresses, gardeners, and cooks is that they all look forward to the next time.
Sara
Walk in Peace - Live with Joy
FarmGirl Sister #6034 Aug 25, 2014 |
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auntjenny
True Blue Farmgirl
277 Posts
Jenny
San Luis Obispo
CA
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2014 : 1:28:52 PM
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Thanks Sara!
Dream like you have a lifetime ahead of you. Live like you only have today. |
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - Dec 09 2014 : 3:02:02 PM
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Aunt Jenny - I've done extensive dyeing with Cochineal bugs. They produce a wonderful array of colors and it's very light fast, when done correctly.
If you mordant (soak your fiber in different chemicals) you will get an unlimited number of shades of red.
If you use an iron pot and/or throw in some other iron - you'll get a darker red (may even be a bit brownish red); if you use a copper pot and throw in some pennies - you'll do a dance when you pull the fiber out! It's a vibrant shade of red. There are so many mordants; it's a huge list. You can google, Mordant to get the full list.
You're so lucky to have such a useful pest!!
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Terralea
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Terra
Midland
Michigan
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - Dec 10 2014 : 07:42:10 AM
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Wow...how cool. I have a friend in Arizona who has cactus in her yard. I will have to talk to her about this. She's an artist and may be thrilled to read about this if she doesn't already know about it.
Terralea |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: dyed wool from cactus pest- pics added |
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dyed wool from cactus pest- pics added
