From sheep to loom part 2

Hrútr was clean and dried and I bought some wool cards and wool combs. After a bit of research, I figured out that it's more likely that 8th-10th century scandinans used combs instead of cards but I'm still not entirely sure that they resembled the ones I bought.

None the less, I continued experimenting.

I loaded up my new combs with a bit of wool.

I took my time for this part. I'm still in a splint so instead of holding the comb in my left hand, I've put it under my thigh. I came close a few times to rip my leg open, but it's all part of the fun, right?

Wonderful grey cloud of fluff

It became a wonderful grey cloud of fluff! It was very pleasant to touch. Hard to believe that this fluffy grey cloud used to be so oily and dirty and.... Well... Sheepy. It's also very cool to see the colours blend. I purposely loaded my comb with white and black wool to see what it would do.

I didn't feel like stopping there so I took Hrútr for a spin. It was my first time using this spindle, my other spindle already has a project on it. It took me a bit to figure out how to use one with the whorl at the top. That reminds me, I'll have to research what kind of spindles were used...

It was very fun to spin! I was surprised how robust the yarn turned out to be. 

I'm really happy with how today's experiment went. I'll comb the rest of the small washed batch and I'll spin it.

I'll try to end up with different shades without using any dyes. I'll play with the hues of the fluff. Once I'll have enough, I'll warp and weave.

From sheep to loom part 1

So I'm starting to be very interested in textile and all that's related to it. I have this idea of trying weave something the most period way possible.

I'm at the learning, trial and error step.
I bought the shearing (I named it Hrútr), I believe it's from a Jacob sheep. I'll play with it a bit, try different methods for every steps.
Once I'm done practicing, I'll try to get my hand on a Gutefår shearing. If I can't, I'll substitute with a Orkney, Hebridean or Shetland.
I will card some of Hrútr's shearing but I still need to research on evidence of carding between the 8th and 10th century in Scandinavia and the Danelaw when I start the real project.
I'll try to grow some dye stuff, especially madder, weld, heather and woad.
After that, I'll use my soapstone spindle. I still need to research on how thin or thick yarn was spun.
For the weaving part, I'll build a period loom. As much as I looooove to weave on my inkle looms, it's not period. I'll also make a set of cards especially for that project. loom and cards will be built with modern tools kept to a minimum.
I will weave using a pattern based on a period trim. Most likely something from Birka.

If all this works, I might re-do it a third time but polish it, document it properly and enter it in a A&S competition some time.

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That being said, here's the adventure of Hrútr

Hrútr being all dirty

First soak
(using shampoo for now..
will research what was use in period)

After the first soak.

He's now at his 3 soak, getting cleaner and cleaner!!