Supplemental Video on Using a Picker to Prepare Fiber.wmv

This video is an addition to Using a Picker to Prepare Fiber. It was done from several videos and photos taken at a demonstration I did with my fiber group. You can see the triple pick being used as well as see a photo of the Meck Mini Pick for comparison. Maybe between the two videos you'll get even more of an idea what using a picker is all about.
Yes - a picker is an expensive investment but if you prepare your own fiber (instead of purchasing prepared roving and batts) then I think it's a good investment. I use it for wool, alpaca, angora rabbit, mohair (goat) and blending. I blended 7 pounds of dog hair with 2 pounds or wool on the little Meck pick many years ago. I couldn't have done that project without the pick - blending is so nice on a picker.
Two big drawbacks that I can think of - these are dangerous with the many sharp nails, and if you have children you must be very careful and diligent about keeping the picker locked and put away when not in use (both of the ones I've owned have come with locking features). They are also very messy. Bits of chaff and other stuff flies out when picking (no, it won't get the fleece clean but it does open it so a lot of stuff falls out and more comes out in carding and spinning) and the picked fiber is very light and loves to "fly all around". You will need an area to set up where making a mess doesn't matter too much.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• fiber preparation
• handspinning
• carding
• Patrick Green Triple Pick
• Meck Mini pick
• picking fiber for spinning
• picking dyed fiber
• alpaca
• wool

[Spin2Weave]

Good question. Trying to remember if I've dyed picked fleece - don't think so, at least not recently. Picking would open the fleece for to allow dye to penetrate, BUT soaking and then the heating usually gets the dye all through the wool unless you don't stir. Thinking it would be fun to pick and then "pot dye smooshed wool" with rainbow colors to see what would happen - you've given me an idea. ;-) Thanks. Have to try it soon as I have time. different effect than dying and picking.

[cdmaur]

Is it better to dye washed fleece then pick or pick washed fleece then dye?