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Cochineal Dyeing Class



Cochineal is an insect that is indigenous to the Southwest and Mexico and lives on the Prickly Pear cactus. The cochineal used for this workshop specifically has been farmed and harvested in Peru.

The cochineal insect makes a natural brilliant red/purple dye (Carmine) that has been used for thousands of years to dye both wool and cotton fibers. Cochineal is also known as carmine dye. Today, carmine is primarily used as a colorant in food and in lipstick (E120 or Natural Red 4).

Participants in this workshop will learn to treat wool for dyeing, prepare a cochineal dye bath, and then will dye the wool in different conditions to demonstrate the wide range of colors that may be obtained.

This is a beginner’s workshop, and we will work with Peruvian farmed cochineal. Cochineal is an insect, and so is not a vegan dye. 


Skill Level: Beginner
Skill Details:
Instructor: Andrew Lettes
Instructor Bio: Andrew is a retired science teacher with time on his hands and a love for creativity
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Includes yarn samples to dye, and dye baths

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Included Materials


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This class cannot be purchased online. Please contact the store for more information.
  • 6544 E Tanque Verde Rd. Tucson, AZ 85715
  • Ph: (520) 290-3738
  • Tues 10am - 4pm
  • Weds 10am - 8pm
  • Thurs-Saturday 10am - 4pm
  • Sunday & Monday- Closed
  • grandma@grandmasspinningwheel.com
  • mom@grandmasspinningwheel.com