Spinning Art into Yarn: Channeling Gustav Klimt's 'The Kiss' on my Spinningwheel

Hello friends! You all know that next to spinning, knitting and fiber arts I am also very much enamoured by visual arts, drawing and painting. So today we will mix those two loves and make them kiss, because we're making a yarn inspired by one of my favourite paintings: the Kiss by Gustav Klimt.
French friends, please excuse my bad acting and accent. It would have been more accurate in German.
The yarn I spin is of course once again spun from our heritage Flemish sheep wool. It is naturally dyed with the dyestuffs I find in my garden. So yes, it is an absolute coincidence that my favourite painting also features the colours that are the easiest to extract from natural dyestuffs.
I spin this yarn on my vintage and new to me Ashford Traditional named Kristine.
If you enjoy spinning, yarn, knitting, fiber arts or any other traditional craft then this channel is right up your alley. Maybe you could hit that subscribe button?
You can also find me as @Mijnwolden on Instagram and on Ravelry!

[@MijnWolden]

What is your favorite combination of fiber prep and spinning method? And more importantly: who is your favorite artist?

[@afoxgloveshandiwork]

What the yarn is so beautiful! And so complimentary to The Kiss. I also LOVE art nouveau artwork and truly that whole era of arts. My favorite artist… oo it’s hard to choose one, I love William Morris’s designs and also Van Gogh’s Irises.

[@MijnWolden]

Great choices! 😁

[@rashna671]

Im a combed wool girlie! I really enjoy the motions of combing as well. I actually struggle with hand carding even though I have had cards for much longer. Short forward is also my default spin method so it all comes together as a smooth slightly over twisted yarn which is perhaps unsurprisingly my favorite to knit with as well. My favorite art movement is the pre-raphaelites and my favorite painting is The Lady of Shallot by William Holman Hunt. Its the one where she is weaving on a loom with her hair flying everywhere..... Im trying to save up to get a giant tattoo of it but I keep spending my money on looms....

[@MijnWolden]

Oh wow what a majestic painting! I love the pre raphaelites as well, but hadn't seen this one, thank you!

[@mlbarker4962]

I'll return, Gustav! lol.. What a cool project idea.

[@MijnWolden]

Haha thank you and I'm glad you appreciate my little joke there 😁

[@sabrinajudt5719]

That's so awesome. I love the idea!

[@MijnWolden]

Thank you 😁

[@Cate-and-Maddielion]

My favourite way to spin is to spin combed top from the fold with long draw! I have made a yarn inspired by some of my favourite art, as I have tryed to dye and spin yarn with the colours of Monet's water lilies

[@MijnWolden]

Monet is a great painter to try this with indeed! I think 'impression soleil levant' would also make an awesome yarn!

[@ginaheutink968]

Chaos makes creativity

[@MijnWolden]

It does 😎

[@siobhantaylor4109]

I don't know anything about spinning yarn (other than maybe the idiom) but lately I've been curious about textile production and traditional methods, so i consider myself lucky this video popped up! I really enjoyed this, it's such a fascinating skill! 😊 As for favourite artist... right now, Ron Hicks. And I think they'd look amazing as yarn!

[@MijnWolden]

It is a fascinating skill indeed!

[@user-bo8rz6cf7n]

Bill Hammonds bird paintings would make some pretty good yarn I think. But I do love spinning in the grease too.

[@MijnWolden]

Oh yes they would!

[@AndreaAlexander]

YOUR PHONE BACKGROUND 😭❤❤❤ That is SO precious. I don't know literally *anything* about the technical aspects of spinning, but I learned in your video that I guess I do a short-forward draw for all of my spins 😅 That's just how I was taught, so I just keep doing it and it works for me for now! Maybe someday I'll expand on those skills. I also really enjoy the painted works of Wayne Thiebaud and would love to explore his aesthetics in fiber someday!

[@MijnWolden]

I had never heard of Wayne Thiebaud before, but upon googling his work, yep that's such a you painter :D such a happy style he has!

[@AndreaAlexander]

I am honored! 😂💕 His cake paintings just make me smile.

[@silverwitch6863]

My favorite painter is Emil Nolde, and in the 80s I designed and knitted a sweater for myself based upon one of his paintings. Fiber prep: hand carded and spinning with short draw using my Kromski wheel. But also much loved is combed, and spinning with drop spindle with long draw… so I strongly feel it’s a matter of mood. Which can strike like lightning. 😄

[@MijnWolden]

Oh, his works look so perfect for fiber arts inspiration! I had never heard of him though, thank you for mentioning him!

[@jenniferbrighty5120]

Hi Jente, I hope you're OK xx ❣️❣️❣️ I love the challenge you set yourself. I don't really have a favourite Artist, but I have to admit that I do love Klints The Kiss though. You did his painting justice in the Batt and Handspun Yarn you made.🎨 Thankyou so much for sharing this video podcast, and for the inspiration to start and challenge myself more than I do.🌟🌟 I really appreciate everything you do and share, especially the Chaos and the Fibre Shenanigans .🐑🎉 Happy Blending and Spinning Sweet Fibre Friend 🎡🐑🥰🌼🌟🌼 Take care and stay safe Lots of love and Big Hugs Jen xxxx ❤️❤️❤️🫂🫂🫂🐕

[@MijnWolden]

Thank you, Jen! Hopefully you can turn the inspiration into something tangible :D

[@raevynwoods9403]

What a cool idea for yarn, and I love how the final yarn turned out! One of my favourite art periods is the 17th century in the Netherlands, when they all painted these black backgrounds with dramatically lighted subjects (such as the Flower Vase by Jan Davidsz de Heem, and a lot of other stuff they have at the Mauritshuis in The Hague. It's a bit conflicting because I know most of that stuff was paid for by colonial exploits which I do not agree with, but the art is pretty.) My favourite prep is combed, so worsted I believe (I can never remember the difference between the two). And I usually spin in a sort of combo between a short forward and short backward draft.

[@MijnWolden]

Funny they call it the Dutch ''golden age'' and not the Dutch ''moody and gloomy age'' 😅

[@raevynwoods9403]

@@MijnWolden hahaha yes, the Dutch "it's not a phase mom"

[@Janet-ov7zx]

I am a newbie spinner, three skeins of yarn under my belt. I also like spinning a short forward draft, from either roving (woolen prep) or combed top (worsted prep.) The short forward draft motion feels good in my body as I do it. I tried long draw and that made my shoulders hurt. Plus, it is too warm here to wear a sweater made from woolen spun yarn. I think I'll be spinning worsted or semi-worsted yarns the most. I have not done any of my own fiber prep, yet. About the painting: I worked three jobs when I was in college, money was always tight, but I spent some of my earnings to buy a poster of The Kiss for my dorm room. It hung over my bed. It is still one of my favorite paintings ever. I love how it inspired your fiber play! harpingJanet

[@MijnWolden]

Three skeins of many more to come, as I'm certain the fiber bug has got you now 😉 During summers as a teenager I spend quite some time at my aunt's place and she had a The Kiss poster framed in the guest bedroom, and that's how I got to know and love the painting 😁

[@knitspinfibre]

Worsted spun is my favourite

[@Sarah-tq2jx]

This painting was always hanging in our house growing up. My sister even had it tattooed on her arm when she moved out! Blending offers so many possibilities - I did a similar project inspired by a painting my dad did. Lots of fun 😄 Edit: I’m guilty of commenting before finishing the video, so I’ll add some more… my favourite prep had surprisingly become combing, but it takes so long I don’t do it often 😅 For spinning I love long draw. It’s easier on my joints, but also feels like dancing somehow haha

[@MijnWolden]

My aunt had it in the guest bedroom, where as a teenager I slept quite a while 😁

[@leslieambailey]

The yarn turned out so well! I think it definitely resembles the painting. Make another similar batt for another skein?? Cool cool.

[@MijnWolden]

Maybe maybe 😁

[@salliesoltysiak6783]

I am familiar with that painting. I am amazed how much your yarn coordinated with it! Monet is my fave.

[@MijnWolden]

Monet would be very cool to try as a yarn as well!

[@teresayoung4145]

I like a woolen prep. My favorite painter is the same as yours Klimt. Also the Kiss is my favorite painting of his. I saw it in person in Vienna when I went on a work trip. So beautiful. I've never tried what you've done but I'm intrigued and would live to try it.😊

[@MijnWolden]

Klimt is just awesome. I also really like his Pallas Athena 😁

[@teresayoung4145]

I just looked at the Pallas Athena. It's gorgeous too.

[@biblioknitting9695]

Well, I like combing more than carding when I am (rarely) doing fiber prep, and I definitely like combed top more than roving, so those align nicely. On my Lendrum DT my default spin is a continuous back, but on my Scandinavian production wheel, I find it *very* easy to slide into a long drawn. So I think which wheel I'm using definitely influences matters. As for painters, I'm pretty basic and I'm always compelled by a Boticelli, especially Venus and Mars.

[@MijnWolden]

I wouldn't call boticelli basic though 😂

[@TarotLadyLissa]

Now you must knit a sweater inspired by the kiss!!

[@TarotLadyLissa]

Oh and my favorite painting is Portrait of Madame X by John Singer Sargent. Wouldn’t make a very colorful yarn. lol

[@MijnWolden]

It would be saucy though.

[@TarotLadyLissa]

@@MijnWolden The saucier the better! With a good amount of scandalous detail! Perhaps an off-the-shoulder sweater design?! lol

[@ParkrosePermaculture]

I also prefer spinning worsted...the small repetitive motions of inch worming are very meditative and rhythmic. It's hard for me to pick a favorite artist, but I am partial to two pieces by Mary Cassatt : Young Mother Sewing, and Breakfast in Bed.

[@MijnWolden]

Those are pretty indeed, very much in the same timeframe as Klimt too!

[@YarnNTea]

What a beautiful skein. My favourite painting is Renoir’s By the seashore

[@MijnWolden]

Thank you and what a great painting too!

[@YarnNTea]

@@MijnWolden The only painting I’ve seen featuring crochet.

[@alexvanderpol1]

It turned out great! Really wonderful idea to base the colors off your favorite painting!

[@MijnWolden]

Thank you 😁

[@retrocraftdreams]

My first thought was that you could try using it to weave the painting (well, an impressionistic version of it). And maybe add in another spin attempting the colors of the flowers at the bottom of the painting to incorporate into the picture. Regardless what you do with it, it has absolutely stunning tones! I have a some current artists I love (Stephanie Law, Shanna Trumbly to name two), but when it comes to classical styles/movements, I've always been partial to the Pre-Raphaelites.

[@MijnWolden]

Oooooh yes pre-raphaelites, that's some stunning ethereal work as well!

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

As I am a lace knitter I tend to default to very, VERY dine yarns which often mean worsted preps and spinning. That means short forward draw and combed top. HOWEVER some times for extra halo I will comfortably spin carded preps. As longs as it’s next to skin soft… Those colours are to die for. I think I could happily elect domicile in a roomy cardigan knitted in that yarn 😍 Edit: favourite artist… that’s a tough one. For sentimental reasons, Florent Crabeels rates high as I’m a direct descendant of his. Klimt for his vibrant colours and detail, you can just lose yourself in one of his paintings for hours. Return the next time and you’ll discover new things. After a particularly horrid day at the office I could happily agree with a big dose of Dali. When I want my eyes to rest, I’ll probably be in the mood for some Monet or Manet. And so on…

[@MijnWolden]

Those are some great painters indeed!

[@suze6288]

My favorite artist(s) are: my grand daughters and Van Gogh. Their sunflowers are beautiful! Have you tried rug hooking? You could draw out “The Kiss” on a backing, linen, burlap or monks cloth then hook it using your hand spun yarn and other fibers. May I suggest a channel called, Ribbon Candy Hooking. I do believe you would enjoy her creativity and energy as much as I do. I do prefer worsted. It just feels right.☺️❤️

[@MijnWolden]

My mother in law is very into rug hooking, maybe I'll take some lessons from her :D

[@suze6288]

@@MijnWolden I do believe you would love it. ❤️

[@stillarobyn]

I love a yarn with a good woolen prep. A drum carder is on my 5-year wishlist for sure because my body cannot hand card forever! But like you, I usually have a semi-woolen yarn prep on account of the fact that I'm a fan of something between a short backward draw and a long draw. I'm somewhat inconsistent in my drafting, but it results in a lovely yarn so who cares! I've tried short forward, but I always end up defaulting to a backward draw when I'm not paying attention.

[@MijnWolden]

Absolutely correct: if it results in a lovely yarn, then who cares? :D

[@linr8260]

Honestly this worked out so well that I think with just a bit of tweedy bits in those accent colours would have brought it to Really Evocative Of The Kiss level. As it is, it still captured the vibe well, especially considering you didn't include glitter. I haven't made yarn related to a painting, but I've been challenging myself to make yarns themed after characters, taking into account both visuals and personality for colours, texture, behaviour etc. It's a challenge with limited equipment and choice of supplies, but so much fun and a good exercise. Personally I LOVE long draw... I don't get to move around much so the slow, ample movements are both invigorating and relaxing to me... And the satisfaction of feeding that big armful of yarn onto the wheel in one smooth movement 👌 Worth the struggles with consistency.

[@MijnWolden]

Character themed yarn is now a rabbithole I MUST deepdive into 😅

[@linr8260]

@@MijnWolden it's so much fun! Especially when you get into fantasy characters and can start including details related to magic etc. Is this character a well groomed, closed off person with a muted palette but also linked to magic robot aliens? Nice thin smooth single (bc I Can Do It All Myself) in those colours but with a hint of overworldly glitter. Is this character warm and sensual but well in control of their emotions? Consistent and lustrous semi-woolen 2-ply in dark warm tones. Is this character a rich kid with a fiery personality and equally fiery magic? Super sparkly chaotic yarn with a halo of bright red locks (that one's still on my to-do list haha) Even just designing them in theory is fun, and it helps to Think about how you could achieve those effects.

[@MijnWolden]

@@linr8260 Even just in my imagination these yarns sound like absolute fire. (pun intended)

[@serenaserenade9617]

The only tools I’ve had at my disposition for most of my spinning journey are my DIY wool combs and drop spindles, so I guess that my favorite fibre prep is worsted by default. I’ve recently acquired some hand cards though and I’m dying to learn how to do a proper woolen spin :) You’ve inspired me to try and replicate one of my favorite paintings, the Cathedral by František Kupka, but for that I’d probably need to break out some acid dyes, because getting those vibrant colors with natural dyes would be… difficult, to say the least.

[@MijnWolden]

That's why it's a Nice coincidence my favorite painting is mostly yellow 😂

[@poptartthecat4038]

I kind of default to longdraw bc I only spindle spin, I like working from combed top! I'll pull off a staple length and spin from the fold, on my drop spindles I prefer keeping one hand close to the spindle itself and the other raised up controlling the fiber, kind of like how people spin from distaffs but it's just a tiny chunk of fiber. if I try that short forward draw my yarn will instantly fall apart because there's no twist supporting the weight of the spindle!

[@MijnWolden]

Yeah I default to a Longer draw on my spindles too 😁

[@LadyValkyri]

I also love this painting and have a framed print of it. You did such a beautiful job! Would you consider making a few more skeins/hanks of it to give yourself more options for a bigger project? I was thinking of something with color blocking with black and white to mimic the feel of the painting, perhaps a cushion cover, or a wrap-style shawl if you have enough? The largest peice of art I own is a full (poster) sized print of "The Meeting on the Turret Stairs" (1864) by Frederic William Burton. It's really lovely. Hugs!

[@MijnWolden]

I am (but this is of course top secret information) combining it with other yarns to make a bigger project 😉

[@LadyValkyri]

@@MijnWolden I won't tell! Lols

[@Pinguinpullover]

oh, that is so beautiful, you really captured the colours! i have neither a favoutite way to spin, i am a novice, just feeling my way and learning, having fun - nor do i really have a preferred artist, but if i should turn a painting into yarn it would probably be Hutladen by August Macke - i can´t even say why but i find it captivating, somehow (sat in an exhibition once, looking at it for about an hour, mesmerized.) Perhaps you could knit a swatch from your skein and frame ist? full circle, more or less..

[@MijnWolden]

Oooooooh that's a great idea!

[@Pinguinpullover]

@@MijnWolden thank you :)

[@theyarnnerd1684]

I also like short draw. And I’d have to say monets water Lilly’s

[@MijnWolden]

The water lilies would make for interesting yarn inspo as well. Or 'impression soleil levant' too 🤔

[@theyarnnerd1684]

@@MijnWolden oh yes! that be lovely!!

[@tattercandy]

what will you make with the kiss

[@MijnWolden]

I'm using it together with some other yarns in a bigger project, stay tuned!

[@Pinguinpullover]

i found it. Willows at Sunset by Vincent van Gogh. Forget Hutladen. Did you decide what to do with the skein? Stay safe, Su

[@MijnWolden]

Yes I did, I'm working with it as we speak 😉

[@Pinguinpullover]

ooohhh... exciting 🙃

[@Pinguinpullover]

say, your drumcarder, is that the giant by woolmakers? i am thinking about putting that on my wishlist - if you recommend it. you seem to use quite often and - if i may say so - fearlessly.

[@MijnWolden]

That's the one indeed! I cannot compare to other drumcarders since this is the only one I've ever used. But I do not fear it 😉 What I do notice is that People on other social media get their drumcarders so clean when pulling off the batt and I always have quite a bit residual batt on it

[@Pinguinpullover]

@@MijnWolden thank you for the prompt answer, other than some fibers wanting to linger and see who´s coming next, do you see any fault? because, you see, all the others are so much more expensive and they don´t seem to be doing anything other than this one - and it looks pretty, too. also, you seem to have no fear of breaking it, which i think is rather important for a tool like that.

[@MijnWolden]

Woolmakers are a branch of Louet, so I don't think you can go wrong. These carders are made from MDF rather than solid wood, but it is a very sturdy thing. My table would rather give away than that the carder would break or be damaged in any way...

[@Pinguinpullover]

@@MijnWolden thank you, that was what i wanted to hear 😊