{"id":1857,"date":"2018-09-01T07:42:34","date_gmt":"2018-09-01T05:42:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/?p=1857"},"modified":"2019-01-30T18:52:54","modified_gmt":"2019-01-30T17:52:54","slug":"flax-processing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/","title":{"rendered":"Flax processing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Last weekend I attended the Wool and flax days at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.skansen.se\/en\/\">Skansen open-air museum<\/a> in Stockholm. Dressed in all wool and linen, I brought my own retted flax from the 2017 harvest. My plan was to process my own flax with their tools and guidance. My friend Anna was kind enough to shoot the whole thing.<\/p>\n<p>This is part four in a blog series about flax. The previous posts are about <a href=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/new-series-flax\/\">flax processing in general<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/harvest-day-in-the-experimental-flax-patch\/\">the 2018 harvest in my experimental flax<\/a> patch and <a href=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/spinning-flax-on-a-spindle\/\">spinning flax on a spindle<\/a>. Last year I wrote about <a href=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/the-experimental-flax-patch\/\">the first harvests in my experimental flax patch<\/a> and my <a href=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/first-flax\/\">first attempt at spinning flax on a wheel<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"525\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2_ToT0dxX-g?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<h1>Skansen open-air museum<\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.skansen.se\/en\/\">Skansen<\/a> is the oldest open-air museum in the world. Old houses and buildings from all over Sweden have been brought to Skansen for display. Skansen employees are dressed in period costumes and tell the visitors all about the buildings, tools and ways of living.<\/p>\n<p>I spent an hour of the beautiful August afternoon at \u00c4lvrosg\u00e5rden, a farm from the beginning of the 19th century. For this event flax processing tools had been brought out on the yard to show how a strick of dry and dull flax stems can be turned into gold.<\/p>\n<p>Tools for processing flax were often a bridal gift. A married woman needed to be able to process the family&#8217;s flax to make clothing and domestic textiles. You can often see names and wedding dates on old distaffs, hackles and scutching knives.<\/p>\n<p>I showed the staff my modest flax harvest and asked if I could process it with their tools. They were delighted and very kind and showed me the ropes.<\/p>\n<h1>Breaking<\/h1>\n<p>The flax fiber is placed on the outside of a cellulose core. To separate the flax from the core you need to break the core. This is done in the flax break. In this stage you see how the cellulose cores crumble to bits while the long flax fibers stay intact. The Swedish word for this stage is br\u00e5ka. Quite similar to the English word.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1867\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1867\" style=\"width: 3024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1867\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/img_4257\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4257.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4257\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4257.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1867 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4257.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A person breaking flax\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4257.jpg?w=3024&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4257.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4257.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4257.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4257.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1867\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I&#8217;m breaking the flax to break the cellulose core that is surrounded by the flax fibers. Photo by Anna Herting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Pulling<\/h1>\n<p>This is a tool I have never seen or heard of before. It is called a &#8220;draga&#8221;, which is an old word for something that pulls. Which makes sense \u2013 you pull the broken flax through the &#8220;puller&#8221; to remove the coarsest bits of cellulose. Quite effective! Has any of you seen this type of tool before?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1866\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1866\" style=\"width: 3024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1866\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/img_4252\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4252.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4252\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4252.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1866 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4252.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A person pulling flax through a puller\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4252.jpg?w=3024&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4252.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4252.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4252.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4252.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1866\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I&#8217;m pulling the flax through the &#8220;puller&#8221; as a step between breaking and scutching. Photo by Anna Herting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Scutching<\/h1>\n<p>The next step is the scutching, Sk\u00e4ktning in Swedish. You use a wooden tool similar to a knife to remove the bits and pieces of broken cellulose from the flax fibers. The more bits you are able to remove, the better prepared the flax will be for the final step.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1865\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1865\" style=\"width: 3024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1865\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/img_4248\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4248.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4248\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4248.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1865 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4248.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A person scutching flax\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4248.jpg?w=3024&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4248.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4248.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4248.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4248.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1865\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I&#8217;m scutching the flax to remove the small pieces of cellulose that were broken in the breaking step. Photo by Anna Herting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h1>Hackling<\/h1>\n<p>Hackling the flax is usually done in several steps. In this case, two steps. You pull the scutched flax through vicious tines to remove short and brittle fibers and the last pieces of cellulose. In this step you also arrange the fibers parallel. After having hackled a while I learned how to lift the strick of flax over the hackles instead of swinging it. When swinging, the flax turns in the air and doesn&#8217;t lie straight over the tines.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1864\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1864\" style=\"width: 3024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1864\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/img_4244\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4244.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4244\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;I process the flax outdoors. to get as little of the flax dust as possible in my lungs.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;I process the flax outdoors. to get as little of the flax dust as possible in my lungs.&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4244.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1864 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4244.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A person hackling flax\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4244.jpg?w=3024&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4244.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4244.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4244.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4244.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1864\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">First hackling step. Flax samples on the table with different retting methods. Photo by Anna Herting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On the table you can see samples of flax that has been retted with different methods \u2013 dew retting, water retting and snow retting.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1862\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1862\" style=\"width: 3024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1862\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/img_4233\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4233.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4233\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4233.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1862 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4233.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A person hackling flax\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4233.jpg?w=3024&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4233.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4233.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4233.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4233.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1862\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Second hackling step. Photo by Anna Herting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The first step of the hackling process is through a rough hackle and the second step through a finer hackle. This stage is performed at your own risk. I managed to go through it with only one pierced finger. These are the only flax processing tools I actually have at home.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1863\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1863\" style=\"width: 3024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1863\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/img_4237\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4237.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4237\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4237.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1863 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4237.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Close-up of a person hackling flax.\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4237.jpg?w=3024&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4237.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4237.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4237.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4237.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1863\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I ended up with only one hackling wound! Photo by Anna Herting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The coarser bits that end up in the hackles, the tow, is saved and spun into a coarser yarn or used as insulation in the buildings. The pieces of cellulose core that is scattered on the ground are treats for the chickens. So while this is a time and labour demanding process, nothing goes to waste.<\/p>\n<h1>Admiring<\/h1>\n<p>The flax turned into such a beautiful bundle of gold. I am still amazed at what I have managed to make, from just a handful of flax seeds. I got new seeds for this season from Ann-Marie, a retired flax farmer and spinner. <strong>This flax is actually spinable!<\/strong> And I just found out that Ann-Marie is selling out the last of her seeds and she is sending me some for next season!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1860\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1860\" style=\"width: 3024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1860\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/img_4193\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4193-e1535297703364.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1535290880&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0023529411764706&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;6&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4193\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4193-e1535297703364.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1860 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4193-e1535297703364.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4193-e1535297703364.jpg?w=3024&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4193-e1535297703364.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4193-e1535297703364.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4193-e1535297703364.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4193-e1535297703364.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1860\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">My beautiful strick of flax from the 2017 harvest in my experimental flax patch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The fibers are long, lustrous and plentiful. And I must have done something right with the retting too. I am happy as a clam about my beautiful flax.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1858\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1858\" style=\"width: 3024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"1858\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/img_4229\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4229-e1535297372838.jpg?fit=3024%2C4032&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"3024,4032\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;1.8&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;iPhone 8&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1535304379&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;3.99&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;64&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0.0083333333333333&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;6&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_4229\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4229-e1535297372838.jpg?fit=525%2C700&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"wp-image-1858 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4229-e1535297372838.jpg?resize=525%2C700&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Four strikes of processed flax\" width=\"525\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4229-e1535297372838.jpg?w=3024&amp;ssl=1 3024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4229-e1535297372838.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4229-e1535297372838.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4229-e1535297372838.jpg?w=1050&amp;ssl=1 1050w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/IMG_4229-e1535297372838.jpg?w=1575&amp;ssl=1 1575w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1858\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Results from my experimental flax so far. From the left: 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You can see the difference to the earlier years. The 2014 harvest was the thickness of a rat&#8217;s tail. 2015 was at least three rat&#8217;s tails! \u00a0In 2016 I failed with the retting, you can still see lots of pieces of cellulose. Finally, the newly processed flax from the 2017 harvest is long, beautiful and silky. And just outside our house, the 2018 harvest is retting on the lawn.<\/p>\n<h1>I&#8217;ll be back next year<\/h1>\n<p>I passed my flax processing exam. The Skansen staff was so kind and helpful and welcomed me back to process my next harvest. A big thank you to the Skansen staff at \u00c4lvrosg\u00e5rden for their kindness and guidance, to Anna for shooting and to Ann-Marie for the seeds.<\/p>\n<p>Happy spinning!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1>You can follow me on several social media:<\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>This <a href=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/blog\/\">blog<\/a> is my main channel<\/strong>. This is where I write posts about spinning, but also where I explain a bit more about videos I release. Sometimes I make videos that are on the blog only. <em>Subscribe or make an rss feed to be sure not to miss any posts.<\/em><\/li>\n<li>My <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCLBBuYv4kff8RQ_oY-PNEqg?view_as=subscriber\">youtube channel<\/a><\/strong> is where I release a lot of my videos. <em>Subscribe to be sure not to miss anything!<\/em><\/li>\n<li>I have a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/josefinwaltinspinner\/\">facebook page<\/a><\/strong> where I link to all my blog posts, <em>you are welcome to follow me there.<\/em><\/li>\n<li>On <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/josefinwaltinspinner\/posts\"><strong>Patreon<\/strong><\/a> you can get early access to new videos and other Patreon only benefits. The contributions from my patrons is an important way to cover the costs, time and energy I put into the videos and blog posts I create. The content I create is totally free from advertisement. You can read more about my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/josefinwaltinspinner\/overview\">Patreon page<\/a> here.<\/li>\n<li>Follow me on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/josefinwaltin\/\"><strong>Instagram<\/strong>.<\/a>\u00a0 I announce new blog posts, share images from behind the scenes and post lots of woolliness.<\/li>\n<li>In all the social media I offer, you are more than welcome to contact me. Interacting with you helps me make better posts and videos. My private Facebook page, however, will remain private.<\/li>\n<li><em>If you like what I do, please tell all your fiber friends and share these links!<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last weekend I attended the Wool and flax days at Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm. Dressed in all wool and linen, I brought my own retted flax from the 2017 harvest. My plan was to process my own flax with their tools and guidance. My friend Anna was kind enough to shoot the whole thing. &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Flax processing&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[76,36],"tags":[57,114],"class_list":["post-1857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fiber-preparation","category-videos","tag-flax","tag-process"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Flax processing - Josefin Waltin spinner<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In this post I describe how I process my flax. The site is Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm, Sweden. There is also a video.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/waltin.se\/josefinwaltinspinner\/flax-processing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Flax processing - Josefin Waltin spinner\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In this post I describe how I process my flax. The site is Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm, Sweden. 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