Hello,

I'm working on a weaving project and am looking for some sort of translucent yarn.

Industrial wise I know I could look into fishing line but I think this'll give the wrong handle to the project.  

So I was wondering if anyone had any idea where I could obtain other undyed man made yarns i.e curpo or viscoes

or I considered that someone had managed to strip the colour from something natural like silk for example.

Any clues/tips/suggestions on this would be much appreciated.

 

Many Thanks

Comments

Sun, 05/12/2013 - 23:42

sarahnopp (not verified)

I would look for different thicknesses of any nylon monofilament. 

Sun, 06/09/2013 - 06:58

Blazingheart

Fiber optic cable would be my suggestion, but I suspect the hand on anything really translucent is going to resemble that of fishing line. They would all be long strands of some form of plastic, after all.
Sun, 06/09/2013 - 12:44

Bones (not verified)

Have purchased some invisible nylon thread from a sewing supply to try this very thing.  Haven't got to it yet. 

Sun, 06/09/2013 - 15:15

sandra.eberhar…

Our local feed store sells feed in polyester bags made of translucent/clear material.  I have a big pile of partially shredded bags behind the barn, which are used by orioles to weave their nests with.  You might check into feed bags or the yarn they are made from.

Tue, 06/18/2013 - 04:45

christophermichael

Thanks for your help! i have a similar bag at home, its a US mail bag, it shwta got me thinking to begin with...

Tue, 06/18/2013 - 04:46

christophermichael

I'd be interested to hear of your success? i'm mainly worried about the handle of the nylon... i prefer to work in naturals.  but its more the light factor i'm concerned with.  Thanks!

Wed, 06/19/2013 - 23:23

mneligh

Round baler twine bears no resemblance to the twine found on square bales of hay.  All has some opacity or color.  Around here green, which is translucent, is intended to be biodegradable and dissolve if left in the field, so I would not weave a masterpiece with it.

Thu, 06/20/2013 - 23:14

mneligh

After posting this I went out and stared at the round bales a while.  I've been thinking about using round baler twine for something for a while, maybe a rug for the screened-in porch.

Ours is multi-ply, about sport weight.  The different colors -- except green -- are different weights, I think.  Some are more translucent than others.  You could deparate the plies easily.  If I were you I'd find the nearest farm supply store or farmer in the field baling round bales and check it out.  It's certainly cheap, especially if you got farmers to give you bits that were too small to go in the baler.

Wed, 11/13/2013 - 22:56

pine tree (not verified)

Optic fiber is clear and comes in many diameters--however,  expensive unless you have a surplus source.  It is quite stiff.  

 Jelly Yarn is a vinyl flexible clear yarn--- it comes in 4 diameters and several translucent colors as well.  I'd look on Giovanna Imperia's website to see what she has in translucent fiber.  Let us know what you find.

Mon, 03/03/2014 - 01:53

christophermichael

Thank you! optic fibre is surely expensive but i'll keep an eye out...

Mon, 03/03/2014 - 01:54

christophermichael

Thanks for your help! much appreciated :) i'm sampling with nylon for now although its not the best handle....

Mon, 03/03/2014 - 13:57

sally orgren

I am taking a workshop with this weaver/artist this summer, and I believe she works with dyed fishing line. She may provide some insight on sources.

Mon, 03/03/2014 - 17:17

barleycorn

I have some strange Japanese yarn/string somewhere in my stash, one is clear and another I think is translucent neon orange. Give me some time to locate and if you're interested you can look at label and find on Amazon or I can send what I have if that would help. I don't have much, it was in a box of beautiful yarns I found a thrift store.

Mon, 03/03/2014 - 17:20

Guiding Myth (not verified)

Habu sells a fine, clear monofiliment yarn.  

Stephanie S 

Tue, 03/04/2014 - 04:55

christophermichael

Oh wow they do! Thanks for introducing me to this site, they have some beautiful yarn.
much appreciated

chris 

Tue, 03/04/2014 - 04:56

christophermichael

If you come across them that would be great,
thank you for your help 

Tue, 03/04/2014 - 04:59

christophermichael

Thanks Sally, if you learn anything that'd be handy, thanks :)

Mon, 03/31/2014 - 13:22

barleycorn

I cannot find that clear yarn at the moment since we are painting and everything is in a shamble. I will contact you whenever I do. I also wanted to tell you  that I saw a Swedish weaving site where they used the old DVR tape in the background (maybe a ground weft) and it added such an interesting sparkle....just food for thought.