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Preparing fiber “by hand” often relies on our trusty tools. Combs, hackles, flickers, and beyond—tell us what’s in your toolbox.
Kate Larson2 min read
Whether you are a spinner who loves starting with farm fresh fleeces or a pile of dyed combed tops ready for blending, having the right tools can make fiber preparation more efficient and fun. While most of us agree about that, we will have wildly different opinions on what the “right” tools are for any particular job!
One of the trends I’ve been seeing in spinning forums and in my classes around the country is an interest in preparation. Some spinners are starting with raw fleeces, and others with backyard flax-patches. Many of us are more comfortable than ever in dissecting gorgeous hand-dyed combed tops to mix colors and create effects that are perfect for our projects.
Meagan Condon article on drumcarding hand-dyed tops to create a "true neutral" for plying was published in Spin Off Fall 2023.Photo by Matt Graves
Do you have opinions about preparing fibers by hand? We want to hear about your go-to tools! Love to comb? Tell us about the finer points of pitch. Do you have tips for reducing waste during combing? Is handcombing worth the extra effort or is flicking enough? And what about short fibers such as cotton and cashmere that can’t be combed? Spinners love to learn about traditional techniques as well as how we can adapt methods for today.
Melvenea Hodges gins the hairy seeds from Upland cotton using the single-dowel method. Learn more here. Photo by Maymel Hodges Jr.
How do we choose the right tool for different jobs? What can a blending hackle do that my combs can’t? How many different preparations can I create on a drumcarder? Spin Off Fall 2025 will be dedicated to answering all those great spinning queries.
—Kate Larson, editor
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