Spinning Textured Art Yarn: Curly Wool Meets Bamboo (From Medieval Tapestry to Modern Hand Spun Yarn)

Sep 12

From Tapestry to Texture

In medieval Europe, the grandest stories were not told on paper but woven into cloth. Massive wall hangings like the Apocalypse Tapestry and The Lady and the Unicorn were immersive narratives built from fiber itself. Wool provided the solid, matte foundation, while silk caught the light in shimmering highlights. Gold and silver-wrapped threads elevated sacred or royal details, turning cloth into radiance. The interplay of rustic strength and refined sheen wasn’t incidental,it was the very mechanism that gave the work depth and drama. These textiles remind us that contrast, the matte against lustrous, coarse against smooth it has always been the heart of storytelling in fiber.

Why Contrast Still Matters

That instinct hasn’t faded. Wool still offers durability and warmth with an earthy, grounding presence in any yarn. Pair it with a smooth, plant-based fiber like bamboo, and something dynamic happens: the contrast creates movement, subtle shine, and a tactile rhythm that draws the eye and hand.

It’s the same principle those medieval weavers leaned on. In the Apocalypse Tapestry, silk threads were used to draw out heavenly light from otherwise somber scenes, while in The Lady and the Unicorn, silk highlighted the unicorn's mane and the folds of gowns, giving depth and luxury to the narrative. Where they reached for silk and metal-wrapped threads to add light-catching brilliance to their woolen scenes, I reached for bamboo. It’s my modern, accessible stand-in for silk—offering that same shimmer and softness but at a fraction of the cost. It lets the handspinner step into the same tradition of thoughtful contrast, without needing a royal budget.

That’s what I wanted to explore at my wheel. With a bundle of curly wool locks and a braid of bamboo top, I spun each into singles, then plied them together. The wool kept its wild, feral energy; the bamboo flowed like a ribbon. The result was a two-ply that echoed everything those medieval tapestries achieved—earthy foundation meeting luminous highlight, but with a touch of mischief.

What’s fascinating is how that texture translates beyond the skein. Just like a tapestry gained depth from varying warp and weft, this kind of yarn adds layered visual interest when knit or woven especially in simple accessory patterns. A handspun hat or glove made from a yarn like this isn’t just cozy. It brings dimension to the surface, and when worn, it signals something beyond style: craftsmanship.

Because much like those grand tapestries once marked wealth and taste, using handmade yarn in your wardrobe today marks something just as valuable, discernment and care. A quiet form of luxury rooted in process, not price tag. In a mass-produced world, wearing something spun by hand says you’re paying attention. That you value story and texture, not just convenience. That you’ve chosen something made, not manufactured.

Putting the Yarn to Use

Textured yarns shine best when the stitches don’t compete with the fiber itself. I’d use this skein in one of the simple free patterns on my Handspun Yarn Patterns page, designed to showcase curls, sheen, and contrast without losing them in busy detail. Whether woven into cloth, knit into a cowl, or edging a larger piece, the yarn is meant to stand out.

Then and Now

Medieval weavers and modern spinners are linked by instinct: to tell stories through contrast. Wool and silk then,or my experiment with wool and bamboo now the principle remains the same. Contrast is what elevates function into expression. Try pairing fibers with different textures and behaviors in your own crafting, and see where it takes you. You can watch my full process in the video linked below, and explore free patterns to start using your own textured yarns.