DC Crafts

There are many crafts being demonstrated at the Folklife festival in DC this week. These colorful yarn balls are dyed from natural products.

click on the picture to see details such as type of plant product used to dye the fibers.

 I liked the cochinilla that is also used in make up.
I think it's some kind of insect carapace. Check out that red!

They are using these fibers to weave cloth, rugs, knit hats, and do embroidery. I have pictures of each item to share but want to keep it down to a few each day.

Check out the rug on the left. The closely woven base plus the chenille raised effect.They use treadle looms but...

Mostly we saw men and women sitting flat on the ground holding a sort of loom and weaving the picture on their lap.

Seems uncomfortable to me!
Note they tie black yarn to the ends of their braids to make their hair look longer.

It took me a while to figure that out as it blended in so well.
They take a long time to pick apart the weft, in order to slide the new thread in. 
More tomorrow including carving, weaving, hats, embroidery and others.

So all in all we had a fun day, and this is what my husband purchased for me...

a lovely hand dyed rayon scarf and they put it in this bag

And you know how I LOVE a totebag! Especially a special one from a special day. The festival is called Pachamama which means Earth Mother.

either keep scrolling down for more post on Peru's crafts or go to this next one!