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Merino/Silk – Sunset
$11.00 – $44.95
80% Merino wool (22-micron) / 20% Mulberry silk from Ashford of New Zealand.
Combed top/sliver. Gorgeous and bright, with streaks of orchid pink, tangerine, plum, orange, magenta and silvery white. This one has so many “in between” tones that it’s hard to describe.
PRODUCT of NEW ZEALAND
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Cotton Top – Passion
100% Egyptian Cotton.
A really punchy and rich red with ever-so-slight scarlet leanings. Not cerise like in the photo. Staple length is 1 to 1.5 inches, and reportedly easy to spin.
PRODUCT of ITALY
Cochineal, Whole
Whole dried insects.
A scale insect native to Mexico/Central America that feeds exclusively on prickly-pear cactus. Cochineal is a very common source of red food colour with a long historical use. No mordant is required although they will extend the colour range in interesting ways. Use at 3-10% WOF for medium, 10-20% WOF for strong shades. Cochineal is expensive but very generous and can easily give 8 or more successive dips from the same dyebath. Have plenty of fibre ready and waiting!
TO USE: grind finely in a coffee grinder (Cochineal is non-toxic but may stain your next pot of coffee). Soak overnight in cold water with 5% Cream of Tartar to WOF. Simmer 15 minutes, cool and strain -- we find a sieve lined with moist paper towel does the trick. Return to pot, add more water if necessary then enter the fibre and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes.
Light/washfastness: excellent
Lac, Powdered Extract
Powdered extract from resin produced by the Lac bug, a scale insect that is also the source of natural shellac, native to southern Asia.
Best on protein fibres. Lac produces red, crimson and burgundy tones similar to Cochineal but warmer. No mordant is required although they will extend the colour range. Use at 15-20% WOF for medium shades.
TO USE: soak overnight in cold water with 5% Cream of Tartar to WOF. Simmer 15 minutes, cool and strain. Add more water if necessary then enter the fibre and simmer for 45 minutes. The dyebath will yield several more dips in softer shades.
Light/washfastness: excellent.
Corriedale Cherry Red
Not a pinkish cherry, but rather a medium-dark red - the best red in the lineup we think. Dyed 30 micron Corriedale wool top from Ashford of New Zealand.