Twined card: long wool

On By CarynIn Craft

While wool is traditionally spun, it is possible to twine if the staple is long enough. Long wool breeds like Teeswater sheep have longer fiber, which makes it easier to twine.

Photo description: laser cut flat wood spool with twine made from Teeswater wool

So it is entirely possible to make a yarn from wool without any tools but your hands. I twined this wool the same way I do other twining, by taking a small section of wool, twisting it in the middle to make two “legs”, the twisting the individual legs in one direction then twisting them together in the opposite direction. To add in more wool I lay the middle of the new piece between the two legs. Here is a simple video by Sally Pointer on how to twine.

Twined card: aloe

On By CarynIn Craft

The aloe fiber I purchased from Conserving Threads is beautiful, long line fiber with a lovely sheen. It is a little stiffer than flax with a larger diameter and feels similar to lotus fiber.

Photo description: laser cut flat wood spool with twined aloe fiber laying on loose fiber

I did not comb this fiber before twining, but pulled apart sections starting from the middle of the bundle.

Twined card: paper napkin

On By CarynIn Uncategorized, Craft

It is actually possible to make a decorative twine with paper napkins. It isn’t strong, and don’t get it wet, but it is useful for decorating, and fidgeting while waiting.

Photo description: laser cut flat wood spool with twine made from unbleached paper towels

Paper has a grain, tear it one way and it is fairly easy to get a relatively straight line, tear it the other and everything goes awry. I find the direction of the easiest tearing on a napkin and tear it into about 1” strips. You could cut it, but the ragged edges don’t matter once the paper is twisted.

To start, I twist the center of one strip gently, then bend the twist roughly in half. I twist one side away from me, bring it to the front, then twist the other side away, and bring it to the front. Each individual “leg” gets twisted the same way, and the two “legs” twist together in the opposite direction. This opposite twist energy balances the twine and strengthens the material.

To add in more strips I use a different method than usual. I fold the new strip onto the old strip and twist them together. I find this creates less bulk for this kind of twine than laying in a new piece from the middle. Staggering the length of the “legs” also helps smooth transitions.

Twined card: milkweed

On By CarynIn Craft

I have spun milkweed seed fiber before, but I have not yet worked with fiber obtained from the plant. I purchased it from Conserving Threads and it came uncombed in a large cloud of fiber. I pulled out long strands to twine, knocking loose many tiny fibers. Combing or hackling the fiber first would remove most of the short bits.

Photo description: laser cut flat wood spool with twine made from milkweed fiber

The milkweed bast fiber is more course than the seed fiber, but it is also stronger.

Twined card: agave

On By CarynIn Craft

The agave plant, native to Mexico, has many beneficial uses, including providing a strong fiber good for rope and other textiles. It is a long line fiber, like flax, which makes it easy to twine.

Photo description: laser engraved flat wood spool with agave twine wrapped around it and long untwisted fiber hanging from the end

The bundles of fibers I was working with were cut on one end, giving the section a blunt end with many fibers ending at the same place. When twining, all those fibers would pop out of the twine at the same place. I used a small pair of sharp scissors to trim them.