Spinning Dog Hair Part 3 - skeining.wmv

the final part of a 3 part series on spinning dog hair. This shows plying, splicing a ply with a broken yarn and using a niddy noddy to make a skein.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• dog hair
• austrailan shepherd
• spinning
• handspinning
• how to spin dog hair
• jensen wheel
• spinning wheel
• niddy noddy
• skein
• plying
• splicing

[Spin2Weave]

Because dog hair is so short (often like cotton) it is best done on a VERY lightweight spindle and really better on a support spindle unless you mix it with some wool, alpaca or something to give it a little more length.

[Spin2Weave]

Dog hair items are not the most durable, but I've done hats and mittens that have been worn for many years - but mittens don't do snow shoveling etc. Have a sweater I did of 75% dog 25% wool that is VERY softly spun and it's held up for over 17 years and I wear it a LOT. You can reduce shedding by putting in more twist, but then you reduce the "halo" which is what I love about dog. I like to spin dog by itself or no more than 25% of something else mixed in and very softly - to get halo.

[RallyJudge]

Signed in as RallyJudge now but that's my other channel. Not sure what I did with the yarn but I genrally use dog hair for hats and mittens. I've been making hats for all my friends (most of them have dogs with double coats like Australian Shepherds) and had extra to do a hat for my g'son for Christmas. I also like to make mittens with dog hair, it's so warm.

I have made 3 sweaters (gave two away) but not sure I'll do another sweater. Dog makes excellent accent yarn for different things.

[melizmatea]

That's amazing. But what did you end up using it for?! I'm dying to see what you made out of it!!!

[Jeffersen08]

You are AMAZING!! :)

[BigTerKC]

I've knitted and weaved forever it seems and just have gotten interested in how spinning works. In watching this video and seeing how 'soft' the yarn is and that it sheds, whats the durability of it for like a sweater? I realize the short fibers is what makes it shed, can it be made less shedding by mixing it with a longer fiber like alpaca or wool?

Great video's your very talented and I appreciate you sharing your gifts with us. Many don't realize how precious their hobbies really are! Thanks!

[cinnamonlizard]

Hi Ruth, thanks for posting the new series of videos. I really enjoyed seeing the plying splice technique. I have to admit it though, compared to your niddy noddy I prefer my antique click reel wool winder!

[RallyJudge]

I'm signed in as RallyJudge now, my other channel, but I'm also Spin2Weave. I've spun cat hair - this was combed from a Persian, altho we have a cat and I brush her I've never saved it. It spins like dog - I did mine and used it in a luxury yarn vest I did about 6-7 yrs ago. Didn't have much to spin but I did it without mixing it. Spin it fingering weight ( 8 sts per inch) and it was fun. Good luck.

[Bataviaguy2002]

Thank you for another great video. Each video I learn more and more. I don't have any dog wool I can spin, but I have been collecting the fur from our long haired cat. For sure, I'm going to blend it with something else and it's just for fun. I have a llama, alpaca, and a Cotswold sheep that keeps me stocked with fiber to spin. Thanks again for taking the time to share with all of us!!!