Peatmoss Yarn |
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While I was attending the Dyers Week workshop in Finland, I learned about the use of peat to create new and interesting yarns. Peat moss is gathered and carded with wool, and spun into yarn that can be woven or knitted into garments. Peat can also be made into paper or used in feltmaking with wool.
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| Although the cottongrass or peat plant has white wool-bearing heads, that isn't what is used for the peat yarn, Rather it is the peat moss on the ground that is found between the soil and the roots of the plant. Eriophorum vaginatum grows, dies and sinks into the marsh. After many thousands of years the peat industry has gone into the marsh to dig up the peat moss. From the moss, the fibres that the peat industry doesn't need is made into the yarn. The peat yarn is a by-product of the peat industry. |
Sheathed Cottonsedge, Eriophorum vaginatum
A good description of the peat plant.
Swedish Peat Producers Association
Peat mosses fibre length is about 5 - 20 cm, is fairly soft and can be blended with wool. Because peat has a hollow structure it is twice as warm as wool. Peat is absorbent, light and comfortable and is considered to have antiseptic qualities.
Cotton Grass - Hares Tale
Kultaturve - Eriotex
Kultaturve is the only producer in the world of materials and garments made from ERIOTEX® natural peat fibre yarn.
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These links are in Finnish:
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| Mushroom Dye Workshop
Mushroom Dye Recipes
Natural Dye Workshop
Print Making
Papermaking
Peat Textiles |