Shifu, Japanese paper yarn, and koyori, Japanese paper cord 'how to'

I just ran across this....Shifu, Japanese paper yarn, and koyori, Japanese paper cord

Seems like a useful recycling project. Depending on the type of paper and size of cord, I can picture using it in the garden to tie up tomatoes, etc. and maybe for pole beans? I'm not sure how long it would last though....maybe weave some planting pots?

Grabs spindle and packing paper. Will report results later today.

I've seen this kind of yarn used in SAORI weaving and clothing, but that's usually made with rice or rag paper, so I don't know how Western paper would hold up to wear and tear. I think my tomatoes could be guinea pigs for this.

R Ranson wrote:Grabs spindle and packing paper. Will report results later today.

I've seen this kind of yarn used in SAORI weaving and clothing, but that's usually made with rice or rag paper, so I don't know how Western paper would hold up to wear and tear. I think my tomatoes could be guinea pigs for this.

can't wait to see! I've shipped all of my spindles to the Lab/gappers. I could quick make one but I think I'll look forward to your results We are thinking chair seats ...there is a twisted brown paper/raffia that is used sometimes for that.

So far, using spindle has resulted in frustration, papercuts and about one foot of 'yarn'.

Possible solutions:
Use heavy spindle instead of medium one
tear paper instead of cutting
make strips of paper thinner
use softer/pre-used paper- like from a previously read newspaper instead of hardly used packing paper.

Might clear some bobbins and try it on my wheel later today. But first, farming.

R Ranson wrote:So far, using spindle has resulted in frustration, papercuts and about one foot of 'yarn'.

Possible solutions:
Use heavy spindle instead of medium one
tear paper instead of cutting
make strips of paper thinner
use softer/pre-used paper- like from a previously read newspaper instead of hardly used packing paper.

Might clear some bobbins and try it on my wheel later today. But first, farming.

... maybe this then....they are using dampened paper and hand rolling for the twist.....and yes, farming comes first, of course



and this...


I really like the idea of vessels......

bump!

Spin Off Magazine highlighted shifu in their Spring 2020 edition.  Handwoven Magazine continued the fun in the March/April 2021 magazine.  

In Spin Off, they talk types of paper and then how to cut them.  They make lots of parallel cuts but don't separate the "threads" at first.  Then they dampen the paper, and roll it.  I don't understand what they mean by rolling, but I imagine every tiny "thread" is hand rolled, then they carefully pull the threads apart so it ends up one continuous thread.  They are then spun on a Japanese spinning wheel.  I find it hard to understand even with their diagrams.  

In Handwoven, they bought paper thread and wove it into towels.  They used a cotton warp and paper thread.  He says it has softened with use.  He puts it in the washing machine and the dryer!

I haven't tried it myself, but if/when I do, I'll see how thin I can make the strips first, moisten the paper, and see how the spindle works.  I don't have a wheel!

After reading this thread, I went looking for other stuff to help expand on what's here. I particularly thought this page clarified some of those hard-to-grok techniques in the Spin Off article.

And this video was fun: