Hi guys, I hope I created this in the right place.  I don't see a natural dye group yet so I figured this was the best place to ask the question.

I am trying to run a dyepot with cactus tuna..here's my blog:

http://web.me.com/debmcclintock/Site/Debs_Dyepot/Debs_Dyepot.html

If anyone has some suggestions I would welcome them.  This dyepot it does not seem to be working. It's my first try so I am sure there is something I am not doing correctly.   If anyone knows a dyepot grandmother....please ask her!

Thank you for any brain biscuits.  Deb

 

Comments

Mon, 08/17/2009 - 13:47

texaspaintbrush (not verified)

 He Deb, It's Lisa Hardaway, I met you on the run leaving CHT last spring.  I have just returned from the GREAT Southwest, and had a discussion with a dyer at Tierra Wools, and though they don't use tunas in their production dying, they do have some knowledge.  After the picking and the sanding, then they let it ferment in a crock or plastic bag for two weeks or more before using to dye.  This may be part of what's up with your pot.  Additionally, I did buy a skein of yarn dyed by Beverly Allen at CHT that was prickly pear dyed, and it is not a deep shade of pink at all, very light-a beautiful rosey color, but light.  

On a personal note, I wove a 7 pound wool rug at Tierra Wools on a heavy duty rug loom.  You may remember my problems weaving rag rugs on my lightweights.  Looks like a barn loom is coming my way....don't know where it's going, but the threat was here or her burn pile, and we couldn't have that!

Take Care!

Mon, 08/17/2009 - 15:11

debmcclintock

Hey Lisa, congrats on your barn frame loom.  You'll find room for it, you don't need a bed for guests anyway, put the loom there!

  Thank you for taking the time to ask questions about the cactus tuna.  I'll follow up on that.  At this point the drought here in Blanco County is so bad I'm feeling bad about picking any more tuna.  The deer are using them for a water source!  The Mexican tuna for sale at HEB is looking good at this point but I'm really trying to stay local.  I plan to recap all the input I've had from folks and put it on my blog.  I'll post when that is done (sometimes this week).  I'm thinking it does have something to do with the ferment.  I'm going up to the Color Conference in Taos which is the week before the Taos wool festival and ask questions also....I'll report back.  Here's the link to the Color Conference

http://www.taoswoolfestival.org/index.html

happy weaving!  Deb

 

 

Tue, 09/29/2009 - 18:30

MaryWalker

Deb, I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner.  I get busy with classes in the summer.  Anyway, I finally just quick using prickly pear fruit.  For all the trouble that you go through dealing with the glochids (the pesky little stickers) and the smell and the mess, I've found that the color is just too fugitive.  Cochineal is a lot better payoff for the time, although those little bugs are expensive. 

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