Who would think that the tiny female bodies of the Dactylopius species which lives on the prickly pear cactus could produce the amazing reds that you so on the fibers above. Over the weekend I was needing to get some creative juices flowing and so I turned to my natural dyes and some of my best fibers. In the second picture the darkest red is LFF Smokey Quartz Alpaca fiber which is a silver with a soft rose tone. Next darkest is a 50% Merino 50% Silk roving and then the softest pink is a Sea Cell Roving. All of the fibers took the Cochineal bath at different rates but that is one of the magical sides of dyeing.
Would love to hear what you think of them....
Expand your art supplies - try some of my natural dyes just up on www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
3 comments:
ok that's one I have never heard of .... they are bugs? How long did it take you to collect that many? Nice going on the dye job, love the varitions.
Love the colors - in anticipation of my fairy roses they surely entice...can you tell I am yearning for spring to finally arrive? Beautiful colors - as always they make my spirit soar.
Love the color combinations....strawberries and cream, I had never heard these bugs could be used for dyes. I have seen them on the prickly pear cactus...Linda
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