Questions for spinners

#1

Question #1: I have heard and read that many dog breeds’ coats are spinnable. In the lists I have found, my baby isn’t on there, but I was just grooming him and I did a makeshift carding of the fiber and just kinda twisted it in my hands a bit and it “spun” beautifully, making a uniform shape and staying together, so I think my doll is spinnable after all. I haven’t actually spun anything before, so I need to ask, is that an acceptable “test” for spinnability or is there something else I can do? Don’t have a lot of fiber yet or a spindle.

#2: if you are collecting hair from grooming, like a dog or angora rabbit for instance, where you’re not getting enough to spin in just one sitting, are there rules on how to keep the fibers you groom off so they stay “fresh”? Is this a dumb question? Heehee. I guess I was just thinking if the oils dried out or something like that, that would be bad. Then I’m wondering if I should wash it as if I was ready to spin it as soon as I had enough to bother washing it or if I should wait until it’s ready to be spun and do it all at once. At this point I just am collecting in a Ziplock baggie.

Thanks so much!!! :slight_smile:

#2

You might want to post this question in the Spinning forum of this site. :thumbsup:

#3

Yes you can spin dog hair. I first read about it in my spinning books years ago. Then I went to my first spinning convention, and several rugs and wall hangings were on display. They were beautiful works of art and made from spun dog hair. I was blown away. My ex husband and I could not believe the projects were dog hair. If we had not read the little sign explaining the work/piece, one would just think it was scratchie wool. We had two retrievers, and lots of long soft hair we swepted and swepted. And with every dustpan full my ex would laugh and say, “Hey, you sure you don’t want to spin it instead.” Not!

#4

i reposted in spinning, totally forgot that was there, thanks! :slight_smile:

heidi jean, i have seen some really neat ideas made from dog hair. one lady i know through my pet store had a dog that always laid on her feet and kept them warm so when he passed, she spun his hair into yarn and then crafted like a foot “pillow” with an opening in the top to slip her feet into. i’ve been wanting to learn to spin anyway and if i can do it for free with hair i already have all over the place, i’m all for it! :wink: i figure even if i have to blend it with a bit of wool either for spinnability or if I don’t have enough for whatever, it will still be mostly his and still sentimental and all that good stuff.