Fluff

An old New Home sewing machine sits to my left. An elderly pair of scissors sits to its left, waiting to be used for the next project. A cut out scrub top sits draped, onto the plastic chair, waiting for its introduction to the mechanics and magic of the machine to form it into a practical piece of clothing. To my right is a four shaft, six treadle J-Made floor loom. The warp, waiting for the throw of the boat shuttle to produce another line of the rosebud sampler that I am making. It's weft is 8/2 burgundy cotton thread which is shimmering in the sunlight. The kitchen table sports a ten year old UFO of crewel embroidery, a cute picture of a puppy and a kitten. I found it in my stash a couple of weeks ago. I figured that this year it would be finished come hell or high water.

In front of me, sits a Majacraft Rose spinning wheel. The bobbin is spinning clockwise changing the brown Icelandic sheep "fluff" into yarn. As I push on "Rosie's" dual treadles, I watch the footmen go up and down which turns the flywheel. The flywheel is attached to the flyer by a band which causes the bobbin to spin at an amazing pace which in turn magically causes the "fluff" to turn into laceweight yarn.

I sit here thinking about the magic of this system of making yarn out of "fluff". That "fluff" doesn't need to be wool. I learned to spin on a simple drop spindle with dog hair as my "fluff" The chiengora "fluff" was free All I had to do was sweep the floor in the veterinary hospital where I worked. I was later told that chiengora was a difficult fiber to learn on. Somehow I managed. My spaniel would retrieve the spindle to my hand when it would drop to the floor because my thread was too weak.

That raw material, "fluff", can be anything. Flax has been spun into linen for millennium. Flax can be spun fine or heavy. Fine linen is used for clothing. Heavy linen is used for canvas and even sails. Linen and wool sails were the fibers used to power the Viking ships. The "fluff" was spun on hand spindles by slaves and women. We all know about the many uses of cotton. In fact, I'm wearing some cotton now. The cotton fabric came from a handful of cotton "fluff" that was spun and processed into cloth. Other plant "fluff" includes nettle, hemp, jute, the inner lining of trees, milkweed, agave, soybean, yucca, and others.

Whilst sheep wool is the most common animal "fluff", the under and outer coats of other animals can be used for spinning. Bison, camel, llama, and alpaca are common sources used by hand spinners. Other sources for animal "fluff" include musk ox, vicuna, goat, cat, dog, rabbit, cow, silk worm, feathers, and yak. Basically, any hair that can be brushed out or sheared from an animal can be spun.

Finally, there is manmade "fluff". This includes rayon, nylon, acrylic, and even metal. Manmade "fluff" adds shine and dimension to our yarn. There is even glow in the dark "fluff" available to hand spinners. Hand spinners are starting to use stainless steel "fluff" mixed with other fibers. Doing this helps prevent the static electricity that can become harmful to our devices. Remember metal cable, started out as a handful of "fluff".

As I spin this handful of brown "fluff" into yarn, I wonder what I will do with it once spun. I have a lot of spun "fluff" waiting to be made into something. Many years ago, I knitted a shawl for a friend who had lost her favorite dog. I spun the Great Pyrenees "fluff" into a fine yarn. I plied this yarn with cormo wool yarn that I had spun from "fluff". She loves this wonderful gift. Every time she wears it, she remembers her wonderful dog "Billiam".

Maybe, I'll make this bit of spun "fluff" into a light scarf for my elderly but young at heart Aunt. It will give her something to cover her shoulders whilst at church. I'm toying with the idea of weaving it into a piece of cloth to make a poncho. I've never cut my hand woven into pieces before. This might be a learning experience. I have sewn hems on my hand woven towels but I was not cutting on the bias. A guild gift might be a good use. I belong to a couple of guilds. They are a wonderful resource. Plus we are a bunch of like minded people that like to get together.

I am amazed what this "fluff can be turned into. I look around this room and I see rugs, clothing, furniture, and clothing that started out as "fluff". I am so amazed on the magic of "fluff" and that fact that this little bit of something can be made into some very beautiful and useful things.

And this Dear Readers, is my magic of "Fluff".