Six New White Mulberry Yarn Bowls

White Mulberry Yarn Bowls

When friends have an ailing or unruly tree they call me, knowing how I enjoy creating oversized yarn bowls from reclaimed wood. Occasionally one of these trees might turn out to be a hardwood that will morph into a couple stunning pieces. After the wood is cut, hauled, prepped and blanks are made, the real fun begins with lathe work and hand finishing.

These six yarn bowls are from the wood of a White Mulberry freshly cut last fall. Their lobed, alternate leaves and abundant, edible fruits distinguish these deciduous trees. Known as Morus alba, the White Mulberry tree is a fast-growing small to medium sized tree, growing 30 – 50’ tall, with a lifespan comparable to humans.   

The leaves of the White Mulberry have been used in China since at least 2600 BC as the primary diet for silkworms. The tree was introduced into North America in colonial times in efforts to establish a silk industry. Although the industry never took hold here, the trees did take hold and, over time has naturalized in fields, forest margins and along roads throughout much of the US.

​I enjoy seeing what magic nature has hidden inside each particular species. This Mulberry didn’t disappoint with its buttery tones and grains from creamy beige to soft greys, in six unique shapes dried to a natural soft warp. This select group of XL - XXL Yarn bowls is composed of mid-range sizes I can never seem to make enough of!

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