July 10, 2014
Dyeing yarn
Watching the pot
osage orange
Last week we started dyeing. We walked between 35 to 40 minutes to get to Elvira’s house, we took the regular road, crossing the river and walking in the middle of nature. The women carrying all sort of different things on their heads, from packages to plants.
On our way back to Fulgencia´s house
On our way back to Fulgencia’s house
The dyeing was great! We dyed 25 pounds of yarn using indigo, osage orange, cochineal and madder.
Keeping their eye on it all the time
It was a new experience for me, being in charge and making so many decisions.
I wasn’t used to it! But I’ve learned a lot and I hope to get better!
So many things to plan ahead!
Indigo vat
Cochineal coming out of the depot.
The first day we forgot the balance at Fulgencia’s house. And that was very problematic, because we are doing everything by foot.
We also had an issue with soap. We were using a neutral soap, and that’s not easy to find here.
When we arrived at Elvira’s we found out they had run out of soap, so we tried to buy more, but for some reason we couldn’t find more of the same neutral soap.
Elvira lives in San Rafael, so we were far away from Rabinal (the biggest town nearby.
Yarn dyed with cochineal, indigo and osage orange. What a beautiful rainbow of color!
Well, that’s how our first day dyeing started! But thankfully at the end everything turned out to be ok.
I really want to thank Diane, Donna and Catharine for answering my questions, and specially to Deborah for helping me and making this communication possible.
cochineal
Moving to Bertha’s
On Monday I moved to Bertha’s, I started my day by taking a bath on the river and weaving on the back stripe loom. (I started my back strap weaving lessons with Fulgencia).
Abelina and Bertha carrying my luggage and stuff
Abelina and Bertha carrying my luggage and stuff
In the afternoon, Bertha and Abelina arrived and we moved everything to Bertha’s.
At his point I thought I couldn’t be more impressed. But seeing Abelina and Bertha carrying my things on their heads was really impressive.
Two cultures meet: Abelina carrying my luggage
Abelina carried my 18kg luggage on her head, while Bertha was carrying my bed on her head too. They crossed the river like that!
Crossing the river of beautiful stones carrying my luggage on their heads
I really insisted on renting a pick up. But they refuse.
They just kept saying: “it’s not heavy! It’s nearby!
Coming next…
My new experience at Bertha’s house, right now I’m still getting use to it.
A new family, and new stories!
We will be doing the next step… counting and winding yarn!
See you soon!
Wilaa Wiim (good bye in achí)
Tintes Naturales de San Rafael, Guatemala 
Do they use anything to cushion their head from the items they are carrying?
Yes! mostly they use towels! they roll them and put them on their heads under the baskets!! but only if they are available.. if not they just put the basket without anything else!
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
small towels or bandanas! i forgot..