Tag: twining

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: snake plant

On By CarynIn Craft

I was very excited to see snake plant fiber available at Conserving Threads. I had heard that snake plants can be retted to free the fiber, but my own plants are not big enough to harvest yet. The fiber from snake plants is a long line, thin filament, perfect for twining.

Photo description: laser cut flat wood spool with twine made from snake plants, the darker color at the top is due to the twine absorbing the oil finish on the wooden card because I didn’t wait long enough for the card to dry

To start I take a small section of fiber and twist it near the middle. I then bend the twist in half to make two “legs” and bring the top leg toward me. I twist the back leg away, then bring it forward, and keep repeating this process to twine. The individual legs are twisted away and the two legs are twisted together toward me. The opposite twist energy balances the twine and strengthens it.

To add in more fiber I take a smaller section and lay the middle between the two legs, then twist the new fiber with the old fiber. With practice, the addition blends in and is nearly undetectable. It helps to keep the two legs different lengths to spread out the ends along the length of the twine as well.

Twined card: raffia

On By CarynIn Craft

Raffia palms grow in tropical regions of Africa and the leaves can be dried and torn into very long strips to create a natural ribbon. Raffia is a crafting staple, easily found in craft stores and floral departments. I ordered mine online and it came bundled and vacuum packed which gave it very crisp creases where I didn’t want creases. I used a steamer to straighten the strips, which worked extremely well.

Photo description: ironing board with steamer, a rubber banded bundle of raffia, and an open bundle after steaming (some bends still visible)

I could absolutely twine the raffia without steaming it, but the bends make an awful tangle, so it was useful to use the steam to make fiber management easier.

Photo description: laser cut flat wood spool with raffia twine

I use raffia to teach twining because it is readily available, you can twine for a long time before having to add in fiber, and it is sturdy. I made a simple two knot sliding bracelet and wore it for a week where it got wet and dried several times and it held up to the wearing. Raffia is used to make hats and bags and mats and can even be woven to make clothes. Here is a fascinating article.

Twined card: okra stalk

On By CarynIn Craft

I purchased okra stalk fiber from the Conserving Threads shop on Etsy. This is a thick papery plant material, so to make it more pliable for twining I wrapped it in a damp towel overnight. The cordage I was able to twine is strong and sturdy, but rough.

Photo description: okra stalk fiber twined onto a laser cut flat wood spool laying on a pile of damp okra stalk

I put the entire bundle of fiber in the damp towel, but I didn’t need it all for the example card. Rather than drying out the extra, I decided to twine it and make a looped basket.

Photo description: beginning of a twined simple loop basket made from okra stalk

Using all the rest of the okra stalk in my bundle made a rather shallow basket, so I think I will supplement with another material.

Photo description: okra stalk basket after several rows of looping