Wool combing

Hi Sue,

That's the best clip of combing on hand combs I've seen - thanks!

I'm glad you agree that it spins best from the butt end.

Amanda

Thanks Amanda, I have spun from the butt end for years now and find this works best particularly as when I ply I smooth the fibres which helps to guide the twist and also roughs up the scales to mesh the singles better.

Regards
Sue

Sue,

Your combing video made it so easy to work with the wool that I have already spun half of the amount that I had. I am now going to comb the second half and will find myself out of wool to comb and spin in a day's time. I am still working on getting the twist just right, but have only spun three pieces on a hand spindle, each is longer than 30 yards. When I get it right, I will try and make something, but right now, practice, practice, practice.

Thank you,

Jo

Sue,

I tried my combs this morning and it was a breeze. I was able to make a rove off of it that was a much longer rove than I had been able to do before. It was also all one size and to me looked perfect. Thanks to your video, I do believe that I will be able to spin the wool that I have on hand by this Christmas. Thank you very much.

Jo

so glad you have found combing easier, I use mine such a lot with washed fleece, I use mainly merino crosses so they are ideal for it. I am carding blue/red/green/purple merino tops with silk so that the singles yarn knits into stripes for a shrug. Plan A is in my head and so far is working, just hope I don't have to resort to plans B,C,D etc!

Sorry, I ment the pulling of the wool off of the comb without using a ditz. I am working with the wool in a small amount to see if I want to work with it, and do not want to put too much into it. You have shown me that it is not necessary to have a ditz. I will keep you informed on how it goes.
Thank you for the information you are sharing with us beginners.

Jo

I have recently come to the world of raw wool and have been enjoying working with it. I now have a set of wool combs that my father made for me and I can get more wool combed. Everytime that I have a question about combing the wool, I come to your video. It has so many helpful hints for the beginner. And the work with the ditz is a big help too. I will be giving it all a try Monday morning and I am sure that it will all work out just fine.

Thank you,

Jo

Thank you so much for this. One view and I finally got it. Actually, I think was the commentary that helped the most. I particularly like that you show how to draw the wool off without a diz (I can never find the damn thing), and I realize now that I don't have to comb until the wool is perfect, because I can stop drawing when I reach the nubby bits.

Excellent demo, Sue! Really helpful.

Question: Why combing, rather than carding? Has it to do with fiber length you have to work with?

I normally choose combing for wool which has well defined locks, where the locks are longer than the carders are wide and for these mini combs not too long and cotted(matted). They are ideal for merino and merino cross fleece but not really suitable for things like Leicester long wool or Wensleydale.The great thing about combing is it takes off any brittle tips, second cuts etc and so reduces pilling.
Regards

Sue