Washing Dog Hair for Hand Spinning

How to wash dog hair and other fine fibers before using them for hand spinning. You don't really "wash" but soak and rinse until the fiber is clean. Any rubbing, twisting or scrubbing will give you felt instead of clean fiber.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• spinning
• hand dog hair
• alpaca
• fine fibers
• washing

[Twilight101cp]

Hi! I've never done anything like this before but i have a few questions... 1: Can you use cat hair? 2: Where do you buy your had spinning things? 3: Where do you buy your large spinners? And 4:: Where do you get alpaca fleece? Do you buy it? I hope thats not too may questions! ^.^

[Spin2Weave]

@Twilight101cp : Can you use cat hair? Yes. I've spun cat hair from a Persian. You need just the under coat. 2: Where do you buy your had spinning things? I've bought things all over - Spinning and Weaving place in Solvang, CA, Yarn Barn in KS, Woodland Woolworks - Bountiful in Colo

3: Where do you buy your large spinners? My wheel is a Jensen, hand made. Check out Bountiful in Estes Park - they sell them now. There are many good wheels out there, some good ones that aren't custom made.

[Spin2Weave]

Dog hair is "more difficult" to spin than some of the longer staple wools on a spindle or wheel because the undercoat is very short and often "slippery" because it's so soft. But it can be done. You will want a light weight spindle or support spindle unless you are spinning rather thick yarn. I've never tried thick yarn on a spindle, only finer yarns and very little dog hair. Don't get discouraged if you don't succeed right away, try different things. Good luck, Husky spins beautifully.

[Spin2Weave]

Any brushed undercoat will work well. Samoyed is especially nice, as is collie, Aust Shepherd, Great Pyr and other long double coated breeds. Old English Sheepdog and Newfoundland are not too soft - very harsh and dense. You do NOT want anything clipped from the dog, must be brushed out.

Dog hair will felt - so treat is gently, like wool. Most groomers are very glad to save for you, just be sure to stop by every couple days to pick it up so they aren't stuck with it.

[angelsandfaes]

I would like to see a video that tells more about dog hair. Which to use, can you mix breeds, what do I ask the groomer save for me exactly? Does it have to come off the dog clean to begin with? I know some groomers brush the dogs before bathing, etc. Thanks so much for your vids

[TarotLadyLissa]

My grandmother had 2 Samoyed dogs and she spun beautifully with it!!

[aanimma]

You mentioned you live in Arizona. My boyfriend and I are moving there next month. :p

[MailleQueen]

i washed a trashbag full of siberian husky undercoat.i have never spun before,will the husky fur be hard to spin?(i have a drop-spindle)

[irishagold]

Thank you for the video. I am interested to spin dog's hair too. If I go to the groomer, what hair should I ask for? Thank you. Iryna

birynav09@yahoo.com

[beardiepaw]

Beautiful dogs. Greatgrandpa used to do herding and agility, back in the day. I cringe when I think of the garbage bags full of his wonderful undercoat, years ago, that I threw away. oh well, live and learn. I am going to add some silk and maybe some merino or llama, which I have on hand, to Arwen's spring coat blowing. Never thought i would say this, but can't wait! I have never tried dying her wool. Think I will, thanks to your video.