Cochineal {Dactylopius coccus) 



Cochineal is prepared from a dried insect, D. coccus, found in Mexico 

 and Central America. It can be obtained from drug and dye supply 

 houses. Cochineal is not a satisfactory dye for cotton. Some cochineal- 

 dyed woolens become slightly bluer when washed, though they do not 

 run or bleed. 



Rose-Pink Wool: no mordiint before dyeing 

 Colorfastncss: good 



1 pound dry wool 



1 ounce powdered cochineal (2 oz. produces a light scarlet) 



4 ounces oxalic acid 



4 ounces stannous chloride 



1 ounce cream of tartar 



Soak cochineal overnight in a small amount of water. The following 

 morning add the oxalic acid, stannous chloride, and cream of tartar and 

 boil for 10 minutes. Add cold water to make a dyebath of 4 to 4)^ gallons. 

 Before immersing the wool in the dyebath, thoroughly wet it and squeeze 

 out excess moisture. Immerse the wool; heat to boiling; boil for 1 hour, 

 rinse and dry. 



Flag-Red Wool: no mordant before dyeing 

 Colorfastncss: good 



1 pound wool 



3J3 ounces powdered cochineal 

 "iVz ounces cream of tartar 

 m ounces concentrated nitric acid 

 \'^ ounce stannous chloride 



Soak the cochineal and cream of tartar in water; add this mixture to 

 4 to 4)4 gallons of boiling water. Boil for 10 minutes, strain, then add the 

 nitric acid and stannous chloride which were previously dissolved in 1 

 cup of water. (CAUTION : Always pour acid into water; never pour water 

 into acid.) Immerse the dry wool in the dyebath and allow it to boil for 

 \)i hours. Stir this dyebath constantly. Rinse wool and dry. 



American Beauty Red Wool: alum mordant 

 Colorfastncss: good 



1 pound wool 



1 ounce powdered cochineal 



Use alum mordant (see pages 67 to 68). Soak cochineal in water for 

 1 hour, boil for 15 minutes then strain the liquid. Add cold water until 

 the dyebath contains 4 to 4)^ gallons. Before immersing mordanted wool 



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