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,

Comments

[schnee]

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

[altivo]

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

[schnee]

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

[hellmutt]

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

[altivo]

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.

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

Re: Other textile stuff

[altivo]

Mmm, frosty woad. Sounds delicious. ;p

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