If wool could talk

Do you ever wonder what the wool would say if it could talk? How would it then describe its characteristics? How would it sell itself in an ad, like a pice of fine chocolate?

Featured image: Staples from a black rya lamb’s fleece and a white Klövsjö ewe’s fleece.

There are many systems of describing wool, most of which have their foundation in quantitative parameters. Length, micron count, wool type and distribution of fiber types. More or less of shine, strength or crimp. While these parameters can describe part of the characteristics, I sometimes feel something is missing; a qualitative aspect. Today I play with the thought of the wool describing itself to me.

Glimmering Gotland

Look at me with all my fancy curls,
twirling about in concentric waves.
See my silvery shine,
how it lights up the room
when the sun casts its rays upon me.
You have never seen grey like this,
I can promise you that.
I will make the prettiest tailspun yarn you have ever seen.
Did I mention my neck curls?
Sweeter than raspberry pie
with their perfectly spiraled soft locks.
Don't they remind you of
sipping elderberry lemonade
in the shadow of a birch tree?

The raving rya lamb

I am the raving rya lamb.
See my long and glimmering fibers,
shining their way forward
like a gushing river in the morning light.
With equal measures
of undercoat and outercoat
I am soft and strong.
In any way you combine me
I will give you what you want –
the durable warp,
the shiny rug,
the warm sweater and the soft shawl.
The sweet curl of my tip end,
the one I was born with,
will catch your eye and make you mine.

Generous gute

We are strong!
Undercoat, outercoat and kemp.
Together we stand by this staple,
making it sturdy, yet light,
strong, yet gentle.
We may look rough,
but underneath we are mostly air
hiding between the fibers,
keeping you light and warm.
Our kemp may look quirky and rough,
and it is.
But wait until you see what happens
in the pockets of air
we leave behind
as the kemp falls out of the yarn.
The captured air
turns to softness and warmth,
protecting you from the elements.
When fulled
we stand even stronger,
keeping you safe
on the harshest of winter days.

Feather-light finull

Little crimp, little crimp,
feel my gentle bounce,
see my subtle shine,
watch it reflect
the early spring light
like velvet.
I will be your softest friend
right next to your skin.

Sail away with mother rya

I need no curls,
I need no loft.
I am long and strong
and will keep
this boat
afloat
as the wind fills the sails
you weave from my fibers.

Versatile Värmland

I will give you all the staple types.
The long and strong
with lofty feet like ballerina skirts,
make mittens for everyone!
The fine and crimpy,
sweet like an evening breeze on your cheek.
A lacy shawl for you.
Steady, strong outercoat only,
sturdy socks perhaps?
Softy, lofty, thin tails of strength
for fulling and filling
the gaps
in mitts
In midwinter wind.

Dalapäls creamy dream

I am your dalapäls
creamy dreamy
billowing curls.
I shine on you
Like no other curls.
I give you the loftiest of loft
and the most gentle touch.
Don’t think I won’t provide strength
because I will.
My wool is what you never thought
to even wish for.

Oh, Åsen

I come in grey
I come in white
I come in all the shapes
Of your woolly dreams.
I dress you
inside and out,
I give you warmth,
and strength,
and carpets to walk on.
Lean on me
as I comfort
your soul.

What do you think your fleece would tell you about itself?

Happy spinning!

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