Spinning paper bag ‘yarn’ . (re-post from Oct 2009)

I did not start out  to spin a paper bag into fibre.  The intent was to see if I could dye my handspun batting (acrylic) with crepe paper streamers.  That did not work out in its simplest form (hot water,  yarn,  paper) and the decision to experiment another time with boiling water, vinegar etc. got sidetracked by wondering what it would be like to knit with the crepe paper.  In its wide form – it broke; more attention to detail with very relaxed stitches would be necessary to compensate for the lack of give.

Trying out a rug braiding device got it working better and then I thought to simply twist the crepe paper with the fingers.  I'd done this before with the weekend comics.  (see p. 41)

As I was twisting away (wetting my fingers and wondering if the dye was toxic) it suddenly occurred to me that in the other room was a perfect twisting tool………

 

Well – dear Lou did a fine job ……

…. and I soonest had some paper yarn to play with.  While deciding what to do with it I again got sidetracked …….

…..  dum de dum de dum …..  wondered if I could spin wonderful paper bag fabric into fibre ….

Well, well, well!!!!!

More experimenting is needed -  Lou's hooks are not really big enough  -  the paper could be cut narrower -  I could try wrapping it around a core thread of rough linen thread  ……

Lunch intervened.