Alpaca Fiber - Dyeing

Dyeing

Before dyeing, the alpaca fiber must go through other stages:

1. Selection of wool, according to color, size and quality of fiber
2. "Escarminado", removal of grass, dirt, thorns, and other impurities
3. Washing, to remove all the dirt and grease
4. Spinning

Once the fiber is clean, it is possible to begin the process of dyeing.

Natural dyeing: (recipe used by Andean artisans): To dye 1 kg of alpaca wool with cochinilla (natural dye),

1. Boil 5 liters of water in an aluminum can with 100 g of cochinilla for an hour.
2. Sift and put the fiber in the water.
3. Boil again for an hour and add 50 lemons cut in halves.
4. Then take out the wool and hang for drying.

Note: For dyeing with another natural dye (native plants), add 2 kg of the products to the water and boil.