Spool of Wool

by Lexa Harpell

Title

Spool of Wool

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 repellent to the harsh Irish weather notably on the extreme west coast of Ireland.
Fishermen wore thick heavy sweaters knitted by their wives with intricate patterns. It has been said that the traditional individual Aaron Sweater 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 products, including the world renown hand tufted Donegal Carpets and Donegal Tweed.
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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