Monday, April 16, 2012

Yak!

So, at my new job there are some strange things we do...all in the name of collectible dolls. (That's what we make..)

Like today. I spent several hours ironing the doll wigs made from yak hair. Really. We make wigs with yak hair. And the best part is the sewer has all kinds of "leftover/unusable" yak hair when she is finished. The more wiry stuff is actually better for wigs, so this "leftover" hair is the softer, fluffier part of the yak.


And I get to keep it! So, spinners....any suggestions? Ever spun yak before? It has no crimp/memory like wool so it needs to be blended. Blend it first on the carder? I'm full of questions...

In the end, my beginning spinner skills (or lack of) may put this fiber on the shelf, but we shall see...

6 comments:

Mama Pea said...

I'm not a spinner so I can't offer any advice regarding the leftover yak "hair." But what an interesting job you have!

LindaG said...

Looks just like people hair. :o)
I don't know anything about it, but good luck!

Michelle said...

I am sure that yak will be WAY too challenging for your beginning spinner skills, sister, and there's no point putting it on a shelf where it could get dusty or buggy or, you know, FORGOTTEN. Feel free to just stuff that brown fluff in a box and ship it to Oregon....

melanie said...

I may just have to do that, sister!

Kayten said...

The yak I get in is very fluffy and soft. Perhaps it's dehaired? Should spin beautifully and have a lot of drape, if not memory. You could blend it with wool on combs, a hackle, or a drum carder. That would improve the memory.

Kayten said...

The yak I get in is very fluffy and soft. Perhaps it's dehaired? Should spin beautifully and have a lot of drape, if not memory. You could blend it with wool on combs, a hackle, or a drum carder. That would improve the memory.