Hand Spun Wool on Wall
by Lexa Harpell
Title
Hand Spun Wool on Wall
Artist
Lexa Harpell
Medium
Photograph - Photographs
Description
In times gone by, Irish women hand spun the course wool to make a variety of household items. The natural sheep oil was kept intact as it was water replant to the harsh Irish weather notably on the extreme west coast of Ireland.
Fishermen wore thick heavy jumpers knitted by their wives. It has been said that the traditional Aaron Jumpers designs were a way of identifying any fisherman's body that was drowned at sea.
In the mid 1800's Cheviot and Scottish Black Faced sheep were introduced to Ireland as their long, harsh wool suited the climate as well as their sure footedness navigating the hills and cliffs.
Merino sheep, which has a much softer wool does not fare well in these harsh climates.
Donegal Country has always been famous for its woollen produces, including the world renown Donegal Carpets.
Today most of the Irish woollen ware is made from Merion wool imported from Australian and New Zealand as it is softer on the skin - yet not as water repellent as the old times.
Uploaded
May 28th, 2016
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