Yaks

[altivo]

Or maybe Yucks. Or was that Yak Yucks? Maybe Yucky Yaks. One of my statements that is quoted more often than I'd like is "Yak is yucky." This comment was made several years ago after a workshop session in which we spun samples of a dozen or more non-sheep, non-wool animal fibers. Among them was a sample of yak. It was dull brown, slightly smelly, and about the consistency of dryer lint. I was not impressed. It wasn't easy to spin into anything like usable yarn either.

I've since improved my spinning techniques considerably. Now that I've had lots of practice with cotton (cotton fibers are generally less than a half inch in length) I am much more skilled at handling short fibers in spinning. And yes, I can spin yak, and camel, and dog or horse fluff, at least credibly if not fluently.

My study group is working on cotton right now, for the second time around. I've been spinning cotton ever since we first visited it two years ago, so I was looking for some other short fiber challenge. Yak came to mind, and I've acquired some samples of domestic (yes, grown in the USA) yak as well as the real thing from Asia. The domestic fiber is not unlike cotton, and spins well using the same techniques. The Asian stuff is in a category of its own, but not at all impossible. I rather like the results after all. This time it is a silvery gray rather than brown. I didn't know yaks came in that color. Asking around produced a promise of some qiviut (Alaskan musk ox, similar to yak in many ways) and down from a black Chow (fluffy spitz type dog.) [Yes, someone out there, I'm still hoping to see some wolf down too. ;D ]

I am still spinning cotton too, as mentioned a few days ago. I also ran off about 600 yards of wool from my own sheep in the last month. Since reaching the end of November and this year's NaNo, I've had the urge to spin and spin. Now I have to make something out of all this yarn.

Comments

[kingodin.livejournal.com]

Spinning cotton...sounds fun ^^

[damnbear.livejournal.com]

I'm sure Lobo can help with providing some Yukon down when spring rolls around. Also, if you want some Husky down, I could provide that as well...

[equusmaximus.livejournal.com]

So it actually is possible to spin horse-fuzz into something useful? Amazing! That's something I'd love to learn how to do, as every spring these critters shed enough fluff and fuzz to make another horse with!

The old mare I used to have at a friend's farm had incredibly long hair on her coat; She actually tended to look rather like a Yak herself!

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Had it been cleaned O.O

yarn ay? How about a kitty blanket?

[avon-deer.livejournal.com]

MY claim to fame is being licked by a yak when I was very little. :D

[schnee.livejournal.com]

Wolf would be great. I'd love to have a wolf wool scarf or so, myself. ^^

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Well, most of today's entertainment-oriented Americans think it's boring and pointless. But we are makers here. We'd rather be creating than just watching.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Hiya! You've been toooooooo quiet.

Yes, that was blatant paw-pointing in fact. Lobo was going to send me a sample of Yukon fluff quite a while ago...

Husky would also be interesting whenever shedding time comes around. If you can capture me an ounce or two, I can mix it with some wool and make you a scarf or something.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yep, it's possible. For practicality, you need to blend it with a longer fiber such as wool, but there are useful properties to the horse down.
(Click thumbnail for larger view.)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Wet towel maybe?

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Obviously that explains everything!

[altivo.livejournal.com]

It can be done. Finding a supply of wolf fluff is the main obstacle.

[schnee.livejournal.com]

Aye, I'd imagine. Hmm, I wonder if Wolf Park collects the fluff when their wolves lose their winter fur...

[hellmutt.livejournal.com]

So you could make dog shirts? I seriously never imagined fur that short would be usable.

Other textile stuff

[(Anonymous)]

I realize that this post is about spinning, but close enough. I ran into a really interesting dyer's blog recently and thought that you might like it.

http://riihivilla.blogspot.com/

See you tonight.

Doug

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

*humphs and stalks off* :D

Re: Other textile stuff

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Mmm, frosty woad. Sounds delicious. ;p

I don't often see much about natural dyeing from Europe.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Most dogs have a double coat. The guard hairs are not practical for making yarn because they are too stiff and slippery. The undercoat or down, however, can often be used. Depending on the breed, it may be durable by itself, but more often it requires blending with another fiber such as wool or silk.

I've heard of the long single coats of hairy dogs such as poodles or Portuguese water dogs being used, but reportedly they offer no warmth or loft at all.