Materials

Wool

Animal fibre

Wool is a natural material known for its warmth. When combined with silk fibres, the yarn gets a beautiful sheen.

When working with very thin yarns, I often prefer to use wool in the weft rather than in the warp in order to prevent the warp from breaking while weaving. Delicate wool warps are possible as well, as long as the weaver is patient and gentle enough when weaving! Wool is a great warp material and it produces beautiful woollen fabrics.

Silk

Animal fibre

Silk is a natural fibre with a luxurious sheen. I use both 100% silk yarns and silk-wool blends.

Silk is obtained from the cocoons of different types of silk moth caterpillars. Some of the silk I use requires killing the caterpillar inside the cocoon in order to reel the silk as a filament. The Tussah and Eri silks I use are spun like wool after the caterpillar has left the cocoon. Because of this, Tussah and Eri silks are more uneven and “fluffier” than smooth silk that has been reeled from the cocoon as filament.

Cotton

Plant fibre

Cotton is a natural fibre which makes a very soft yarn. Although cotton naturally has a matte surface, mercerised cotton has a subtle sheen to it.

As cotton is quite durable even when spun into a thin yarn, I usually use it for the warp in order to achieve a sturdy base for my fabric. Cotton works beautifully as weft, too, and slub-yarns give fabrics a beautiful textured surface.

Linen

Plant fibre

Linen is a plant fibre like cotton, but sturdier and stiffer. Linen also has a natural sheen to it. Because of its water absorbent qualities, linen is often used in kitchen linens, towels and sauna textiles.

I often use linen in the weft or the warp in order to bring out the texture of the fabric.

Viscose

Regenerated cellulose fibre

Viscose (also called rayon) is a cellulose-based regenerated fibre. This means that viscose is a man-made fibre that uses natural materials as its base, in comparison to synthetic fibres that are oil-based (polyester etc). Viscose resembles cotton or silk, and its main cellulose ingredient may be birch or spruce for example.

In the yarns I use, rayon is usually combined with cotton and/or linen, as it shares many characteristics with these plant fibres.

Surplus yarns

Synthetic fibres, regenerated fibres and/or natural fibres

The synthetic fibres I use are surplus yarns from other textile designers and textile artists. The materials are completely good to use, but they have not been completely used by their previous owner. In line with zero waste principles, I want to use these yarns to the fullest rather than send them to the landfill.

I use these materials to make entire products or as effect yarns together with other materials.

Second hand fabrics

Silk, wool, linen

I tour second hand stores and recycling centers from time to time in search of good quality second hand materials, especially silk, wool and linen. These materials are often found in scarves and neckties.

I mainly use second hand fabrics for the same products as my handwoven fabrics. Second hand fabrics are also great for custom orders and personalised products!