Yeah I have a full on spinning addiction now. Spinning woolen with a long draw looks super fun!!! I seem to only have combed top, but I know I can spin from the fold with that. Before I do too mich carding of unprepped fiber, I'm curious what the best use of woolen spun yarn is for weaving.

Thanks!

Comments

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 14:22

barleycorn

This is a timely question. I have taken up spinning and I am also totally addicted to longdraw which produces a woolen spun yarn, not exactly what you want for weaving. I've been hand carding to produce a true woolen but have also spun other fiber preps from the fold, but I like the hand carded prep best. I was thinking about using it for small patterned overshot, maybe a blanket, scarves and rugs. Have you seen the video about the late Rachel Brown hand spinning longdraw on the Rio Grande wheel she designed? I'm sorry, can't find the link at the moment. She was famous in the southwest US for tapestries and rugs. I love to pick the fleece and go thru the whole process of washing, carding, and spinning, now I just have to find a way to incorporate the yarn into my weaving and I'm not quite ready to use it for warp.

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 14:55

laurafry

Woollen yarns make a nice warm cloth.  If the wool will full, you can have a lovely warm fabric for winter wear.  They are weaker than worsted so you might want to start by using them for weft but a two ply woollen can be used for warp.  

depends on twists per inch, etc.  I have even used woollen spun singles for warp.  it can be done.  :)

cheers

laura

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 15:16

kerstinfroberg

There are indications that it was not uncommon to use worsted (spun from "hair") for warp, woollen (spun from "down") for weft, using an unevensided weave for outer garments in the olden times (one example is Bockstensmannen, from around 1350).

The worsted side, with the warp going vertical, is the outside - makes the rain just run off - the woollen side, much warmer, is the inside. (Cloth was fulled, of course)

(If you want sources, it will take me some time, but I *think* I know which books...)

Fri, 10/09/2015 - 12:26

mneligh

I rarely buy yarn, and have used both woolen and worsted for both warp and weft.  Yarns from the long wool breeds make excellent warp.

Although I frequently skip this, you might consider using sizing on the warp before weaving, especially if the yarns have a halo.