We begin the weaving process by dyeing our yarns- either merino wool or Mohair in large vats in our Santa Fe studio - the colors take a few days to prepare with unlimited choices in color. Meanwhile the loom is threaded and the warp tied in preparation of our projects. When the yarn has dried we wind the skeins onto shuttles and or onto cones. Some of our natural colors are so beautiful that we do not dye them but merely wash the yarn in mild soapy water and hang outside to dry.

All Christina’s textile material is hand dyed. Some of the dyes are derived, on site, from native Southwestern natural plants in her garden between the riding arena and her studio. When the enormous vats of soaking wool are removed from the industrial stove in the studio and the dye pots are drained, the soaking wet wool is hung outdoors to dry. These dripping skeins of freshly-dyed wool must be hung high enough to be beyond reach of Christina’s five dogs: an English bulldog, a German dachshund, two Queensland heelers, and a Jack Russell. The dyes not derived from local native plants, e.g., yucca plants, are created from the finest wool dyes available in the trade to assure as closely as possible saddle blankets which are the color and hue needed for each custom order.