Natural wool dyes

Harnessing Mexico's vast biological diversity, many of our weavers bring traditional wool weavings to life with natural dyes sourced from the region's abundant resources. A rich palette of vibrant colors and shades is achieved through a meticulous process that combines various natural materials. They begin with hand-grinding these materials using volcanic stone mortars and pestles, transforming them into dyes that are infused with the vibrant beauty of Mexico's natural world.

Weavers demonstrate their creativity and resourcefulness in the process. Ground insect shells produce vivid reds, indigo leaves provide deep blues, and pomegranate skins yield vibrant yellows. Browns are derived from pecan leaves and hulls. Limes, lichens, tree bark, cacti, wood ash, and a multitude of other plants and minerals are ingeniously employed to craft additional hues. Through their ingenuity, weavers transform these natural resources into a stunning tapestry of vibrant colors.

The wool fibers are first washed, carefully pulled in the same direction, then meticulously spun by hand into yarn. To infuse the yarn with captivating hues, most dye sources are boiled along with the yarn in large pots for two to three hours. Other sources, such as indigo dyes requires a fermentation process.