Helen Kinsella oversees wool coming off a drum carder. Photo supplied

Many readers will have animals that grow wool, fur or hair which can be used for clothing or crafts, but most won’t be making full use of this fantastic resource.

If you are one of those people and you’re not doing anything with the fibre available to you just because you’re not sure how to go about it, this article may help.

Sheep’s wool is the best known, of course, and for good reason – it is the most versatile in the widest range of applications. It’s the socialite of the fibre-world, being the best mixer in any situation. 

Apart from wool, there are the luxurious fibres such as cashmere, mohair, angora, alpaca, and possum fur. Some cattle and dog breeds also have usable fibre which can be shorn or plucked from them.

Specialist fibres are best mixed with wool, because they are expensive to use alone, and also because the strength and quality of the wool makes them easier to spin.

Consequently, the outcome is a stronger garment.  A strand of wool, seen under a microscope, has tiny hooks and barbs which grab onto neighbouring strands, whether wool or other fibre type, and these are what hold everything together.

A set of hard carders. Photo supplied

CARDING FIBRES

Carding involves pulling the fibre strands gently apart between two cards or drums covered with tiny hooks until the strands are untangled and all laying in one direction. This can be done using a small set of carders, or fibre can be sent to a commercial carder.

Most spinners and weavers prefer to use wool and/or other fibres that have been commercially carded, as this is one less task to do before spinning or felting. It also guarantees an even grade of carded fibre, which gives a better result when spun.

All fibre needs to be prepared thoroughly, particularly if it is being sent to a commercial carder. Helen Kinsella, who owns Kinrob Carding (north of Whangarei), has customers from across the country, and has this advice for anyone considering commercial carding:

HOW TO PREPARE WOOL FOR CARDING

If you have a raw fleece, don’t store it in a bag or box and forget about it because bugs love greasy wool! 

First, pull out any dags, discoloured wool, hairy wool, or short tufts.

The next task is to clean the wool thoroughly. (If you don’t do this, you will pay extra to have it done for you). Use plenty of warm-hot water and some laundry powder in your bath or a large bucket.

Leave for 10 minutes, stirring gently occasionally. Rinse it a few times, place it in bags (lingerie bags work well), then spin it in the washing machine.

Pull the wool out of the bags and spread flat to dry completely – preferably where the breeze can get to it – on a rack or air-dryer. It can take a day or two to dry properly.

Some lanolin grease, which makes spinning easier, and preserves and waterproofs the wool,  will still remain in the wool, but it will be clean enough for carding. While the wool is airing  pick out any remaining plant matter or dirt still sticking to the fibre.

When completely dry, place the wool in a large paper bag (such as a kleensak) and take it to a local carder, or post it.

Making use of natural fibre will not only help your pocket, but the quality of these fibres has a well-deserved reputation of strength, warmth and durability.