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What to do with linen "practice" thread?I, too, had this problem when learning how to spin flax. Whatever would I *do* with the resulting uneven 'experimental' thread? Once I had learnt how to spin it decently, the question became 'Whatever would I do with this thread, since I do not weave?'. After a couple of years of finding uses for it in various situations, I have a small, and clearly not complete, list. Please feel free to add any further uses you may know of! Some uses for flax/hemp/other vegetable fibre threads:
Some other notes on learning to spin flaxFlax will hold itself together well enough, provided you are spinning the thread with wet fingers. This is because the flax/hemp/ etc has very long fibres (up to 3 feet!) and is equipped with its own 'starch'. Spinning with wet fingers glues the fibres together as you spin, as well as lubricating them so they spin more smoothly. You will not have to ply all your linen thread. My waxed linen shoemaking thread is 1-ply. I have done embroidery with 1-ply. Test your thread, if it breaks easily, then ply it. Practice will improve fineness, as well as evenness. Don't worry if it takes awhile. Just make all the lumpy skeins into cordage, or scrubbers, or hats! Make your husband a pair or two of stout shoe-laces, and that should stop the grumbling :) Best of luck, and much patience! {local links} |
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