How to Spin Dog Fur into Yarn (Chiengora) 2.0
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- In this video, I explain the process of spinning fur into yarn with more tools than the previous video I made. This process is more complex than before, but makes the process a bit faster and makes better yarn. This intended for those who are more intermediate with spinning or who want to invest more in their spinning craft.
All my yarn is made with 100% Samoyed, but you can spin most dogs. The double coated dogs with long fur works especially well. If you have any questions, just put it down in the comments and I'll try my best to answer them! Also, don't forget to subscribe and keep updated on the process and other renditions I make!
Blending Board (from the Netherlands): www.etsy.com/c...
E-spinner: www.dreamingro...
Great job! Big mistake though, I’ve been a spinner and teaching beginner for 10 years. You should never wash the singles yarn before plying. You need that twist to remain energized while plying to make sure your yarn is balanced. To test if it’s balanced, while plying on the e spinner let the yarn hand in a u shape.. if it just hangs it’s balanced, if it twists Z or s direction you either need more or less twist. It’s actually best if it spins around itself once as once washed it will lose some twist!If you wash the singles before plying, you won’t be able to do this. You only wind onto a niddy noddy and wash to set the twist once plied 😊so If you run out of bobbins, just wind your singles into balls to make plying easier. Keep them in the floor in a box, the farther away from you the better to let the twist redistributed and be more even although nothing beats a lazy Kate for plying with bobbins, you can easily make your own with a box and knitting needles. Also I suggest tying the ends of the finished plied skein together and also tie some scrap yarn around the skein in a few places after winding onto the niddy noddy , before washing so you don’t get tangles. to make things easier for plying you can also 2 and 3 ply from only one ball of singles yarn, look up Andean plying and chain plying 😊you are doing a great job and I think the blankets and pillowcase are beautiful. I love how furry dog hair turns out, just like angora yarn. I love the natural color route, the different color yarn looks great together. I’m jealous of the spinner, I have been wanting to get a nano to keep in my purse to spin in the car and running errands lol. One last tip I have, if I’m working with white or will dye the yarn I like adding a small amount of wool like merino. It tones down how incredibly hot a dog fur blanket can be (chiengora is like 6 times more insulating than other fibers like wool)p and a pure dog fur sweater is usually way too hot to wear). But more importantly, the crimp in the wool gives the finished yarn some elasticity and stretch which will have the blanket keep its shape better. A small amount of wool mixed in won’t change the look and feel at all but helps immensely. By giving the just washed skein a few good smacks against the counter and a bit of agitation in soapy water until the strands just start sticking together but are easily pulled apart. This will with slightly felt the wool (called fulling). Dog fur resists felting so the small percentage of wool will kind of help lock in everything. Idk about your dog but my American eskimos yarn, even with high twist it sheds like crazy.. especially the long slippery guard hair. A bit of wool mixed in greatly diminishes the shedding of the finished product, especially if you ever so slightly full the finished blanket..you don’t want to felt it, just lock the fibers together to reduce shedding and increase strength. Anyways I’m trying to help I’m sorry if this comes out like judgy or that I’m telling you what to do, these are tips I have learned over the years that helps so much and I wish someone would have told me at the very beginning when I first started working with dog fur. 😊😊 there’s also a Facebook chiengora group that helps a lot! anyways I think your work is amazing so far and I can’t wait to see what else you make. Keep up the great work and thank you for your video, it’s great educating people who want to make something with their dogs fur but don’t know where to start. My final tip is to give it a try spinning from the cloud. If you like it will save you so much work not having to drum card , hand card or make rolags (rolags are what you are making, technically not roving, rolags are when you card or use blending board then roll into a furry burrito lol). Spinning from the cloud is just taking the fiber and fluffing it up as much as you can into fluffy clouds and you just spin from that. You can just grab handfuls to spin, but what I do is fluffy up as much as I can, then arrange into a shape like your blending board on a table and just roll it up. To make it tighter you ca use two sticks held together at the end , and kind of draft a bit while rolling it up tightly. Spinning from the cloud is a great way to save hours on fiber prep! Anyways sorry for the wall of text lmao, just genuinely trying to be helpful 😊 hopefully some of what I wrote is helpful 😅 thanks for coming to my dog fur spinning Ted talk haha😅😅 keep up the awesome work!!! By the way, your dog is absolutely stunning and I love that his name is my favorite LOTR character lol. I use the same line brushing method on my dog, superior to any other IMHO! only way to get that downy fur out from deep in the coat
OMG THANK YOU FOR THIS TED TALK! Interesting, because I've learned some of these things on the go having posted this video a few years ago. I no longer need to wash the fur prior to spinning. I had seen a video of a woman doing so with her golden fur so thought it would be needed, but just washing after is fine. Doing the final wash to set the spin after the ply will be key! I also haven't tried mixing the fur because I've been so impressed that all of it is his fur. I'm about halfway done a sweater vest that I swear will rival a Canada Goose jacket once completed. haha. Do you blend it together when carding? or when spinning? I assume carding?
Your dog is just a sheep in a different font 😂 I love this
hahahaha
As a samoyed owner, this comment is fabulous 😂
Thanks for the video！I have been collecting my cat’ s fur and I got envious of the amount of fur that Theo can produce😂.
That is awesome! I feel like I need another samoyed already to keep up with all the spinning! I'm trying to make a sweater vest but it'll take me years at the rate of shedding. Maybe you can save enough for something smaller than a vest hah
You have no idea how much i needed this! I have like 4-6 lbs of fur i needed spun and the cost was way too high for me per kg. I can definitely handle this myself, I'm a do-it-yourself kinda girl. Thank you so much!
Glad I could help! You got it, girl! Check out the 2.0 video to make things go faster :)
Hello , just wonderful.
I have been spinning for over 20 years, mostly my Angora rabbit fur, and very fine hand carders are the best for processing my fiber.
You are doing an amazing job 💖
Thanks so much!
I swear, I could watch people spin all day. I’m so enthralled by it! ❤
This is absolutely incredible!!! It seems like sorcery!! But its so so awesome that you'll always get to be wrapped in your doggie's fur!!! I'm flabbergasted - its definitely a LABOR of love.
100% labor of love! So warm too!
This video had so much good information! I want to try this with my Persian cat’s fur. He has very thin, white fur though. I also have a huge wad of hair from my cat who passed a couple years ago and have not known what to do with the fur. I want to put it to good use and make something I can remember him by. I feel I can practice with my cats fur I’ve been collecting now, then try and do something with that matted wad I have. Thank you for the detailed video!!
You can also felt the fur into something like an ornament or little cat with some other fiber. I did that with Theo's fur and made a little face on the ball. Practice makes perfect! :)
I just watched your first dog yarn making video and finished washing my dog’s fur to realize now that i should not being doing that as a first step lol!
Hahahahah I did wash it for a long while in the old days but I think it's just unnecessary if the fur is clean enough and the fur is prone to matting. Just not going to bother with the wash until it's spun now. Some people dont even card it or turn it into rollags and they just pluck and spin! I still very much appreciate the clean and straight furs still
Thank you so much for making these videos - they're amazing!
Glad you like them!
Awesome, thanks for this. This and the 1.0 have inspired me to start collecting the fur of my three cats xD we'll see how that goes.
Amazing! Thanks for watching! You can start to level up your game as well. It would be great to see some of the projects when you're done. Happy spinning!
Boosting for the algorithm 🙌 Love your work, keep it up! 🌻🐝
Thanks!
Wow, I just found your video and I am so happy to see how to spin the dog fur. I have a beautiful bouvier retriver mix, I just get these fluff balls similar to what you have. It is so soft and the color is a really nice light beige/blonde. I often thought I should find somewhere to take it to be spon so I
could knit it, but had no idea where. Now thanks to your video I could DIY. You explain the steps very well and it will be a bit consuming andI will need to practice a bit as it will be my first time trying this. I do many crafts and knit my self so I know I can catch on. Thank you so much for posting your videos.
Thanks so much for the comment! Good luck with spinning!
Oh Heck yeah there is an update! I just found your channel I feel like I struck gold. Thank you! Also I asked this question on the other video, but how are you storing the pet hair before you pin it? Do you just clump it into bags or do you have any tips/tricks?
Thanks for watching! Glad you appreciate the video! I responded to the other video, but in case anyone is just over here, I store in just a plastic bag but it doesn’t get left for too long and it’s not very dirty. Some people store in paper bags!
@@theothesammy Thank you so much! I did see your response on the other video as well. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. I hadn't even considered air flow!
I don’t know how I ended up here, I have no long haired animals, nor do I know the first thing about knitting or crocheting, but I’m having fun!
Awesome! Glad you're here! You can check out other random Theo shenanigan videos while you're here :)
I love your video! You're amazing, thanks for sharing this with everyone.
Thanks so much for the comment!
this is absolutely amazing. I'm going to start saving my Jindo's fur now!!! maybe I can start once I retire lol
Amaazing! Such a great winter activitiy as well!
Thanks for sharing! You started me on a collection journey a couple of years ago haha. I finally had my husky's fur spun but it was only singly ply. I'm considering learning how to spin myself (2.0 seems a bit easier) to make it double ply, but wanted to know if you highly recommend this for a sweater as I don't want to potentially mess up the yarn. Also, would that mean I need more yarn for the sweater?
Hi! Thanks so much for the comment! Yeah, I would recommend 2-ply yarn if it's going to be something you wear, otherwise the changes of their being holes is higher. 2 ply is more durable. Think toilet paper! (lol). It would mean collecting more yarn for a sweater. Likely double since it's the string spun and then twisted together. Much luck on your journey! Let me know how it turns out :)
@@theothesammy thanks, I'll need it! 😅I was thinking of plying it to alpaca yarn I already have, especially as I practice plying for the first time😬 (but not sure if plying 1ply and 2ply yarn is possible)
@@sandybel. Depending on your spinner, you may or may not be able to fit it! Give it a test and see which one works better :)
Hello. Theo is beautiful! Thank you for the easy to understand instructions. I am trying to make yarn from my dog's fur to remember her. What gauge or thickness 2-ply yarn does this video produce? Also, how much time and sammy fur does it take to create every 100 yards of yarn using the techniques in your video? If you have tips on how blend in wool, please let me know. Thank you so much for this informative video and providing an alternative to the loom!!
I haven't measures but a few mm thick and yards and yards long. I should really start to measure it one of these days. Happy spinning!
Thanks for the video. Can you use brighter lighting next time? It was dark. There were some shadows moving over the last part too.
Yes! Will do! I was using my mirror less camera for the filming but in hind sight just my iPhone would have been 10x better!
My carding board just came in and I’m trying to get the hang of it. I am using my standard black poodle shaved fur. I find that when I’m spinning on the drop spindle I keep breaking my yarn. It’s hard to pull it to a uniform length but it’s working out
Perhaps it's the shaved fur! I'd probably try to over twist, add some more bulk to the yarn and to felt it more so it crimps together. But good luck!
So interesting and not that easy at first I would think. I have a poodle that was bred for beauty so he has fabulous thick hair would it work with poodle hair ? Thank you so much for the time you took to demonstrate this skill. How much would a ball of this wool cost ?
Wow, so exciting to try poodle fur spinning! I think people who normally do this for work go by the ounce but I'm not sure how much it would cost!
@@theothesammy I am so glad you replied as I would love to keep in touch.This is a new adventure for me thanks to you .I have ordered the Carding board which arrived and now waiting for the E spinner. My dog was groomed and I have a huge bag of fur which I decided to wash first . I hope I am able to do the spinning it looks tricky .So if it's already washed after spinning can I just make it into balls ? I will only do it to make things for myself, friends and family.
I live in France.
@@Fairy-door-78-86 Amazing! Way to go! Just go slow the first time and with practice, you'll be a pro. You can start making it into balls after spinning for sure. It's already gone through a wash by then. Are you planning on double plying? What projects do you plan to make with it or just giving the spun balls to family and friends? If you're having a hard time with it, then over-twist to keep the fur spun because if it's not the denser or softer part of the coat it won't be as nice or I've heard some people have a hard time when the fur is shorter in some areas. I'm so excited for you! Keep me posted :)
Thank you so much. Where can I get both of the things to do it? Thank you again
In the description box of the video!
Blending Board (from the Netherlands): www.etsy.com/ca/listing/77409...
E-spinner: www.dreamingrobots.com/produc...
Did you decide to relax the spin in the yarn and wash it before plying the singles together so you can get the dirt out more easily? I'd imagine that relaxing the twist before plying it makes the plying process harder, since in that process the twist of the singles helps pull the yarn together. Did you experiment with washing/relaxing the yarn at different stages?
Yeah, I thought that cleaning would be better and I also don't have a place for the bobbins to come together well and I find that it already ties up a bit of I don't keep an eye on it. Never mind having more twist to get wrapped up in! Do you find that it helps the twist of the plying that much? I should try it then!
Hello question for you. Are you able to do this with any type of dog hair or are there specific types of hair that can only be used? Also is there a way to waterproof the yarn before or after it is fashioned into any item you wish to make? I am very interested in this skill you have and would love to learn more about it. Thank you.
If it's long enough, yes! Try twisting some of the fur in your fingers and see if it can make a string that doesn't break. If it doesn't, then you're in business! You could potentially use a waterproofing spray on it but I also wouldn't go out in the rain with it much. Similar to a wool sweater.
I wonder if spinning poodle fur after a cut would work...
Try twisting some between your fingers and seeing if it breaks after the twist. If not, then it's good!
Poodles have wool rather than fur. I read someone sent poodle clippings to the sheep processing board and they assessed it as being sheeps wool. So yes you can spin poodle clippings. Won’t be as soft as the undercoat though.
I am starting my yarn making journey and I had a couple questions. I plan on making a large blanket so I was planning on making yarn a few times a year and storing it until I have enough. How long in your experience does the yarn last when it is in a ball? Also after you make an item what is a safe way to wash it?
I would say, the ball stays good for a really long time. I haven't had any trouble with it, but i also tend to use it quite quickly because I'm so eager to make the project! Also, just be gentle with the wash once complete unless you want the blanket felted. It will felt a bit over time depending on the usage. Even clothing wash works well for this. The other blanket that we've used a lot tends to go in the wash a few times per year, but that's because we sleep with it nightly. teehee Hope that helps answer some of those questions! Let me know if you run into any more. happy spinning!
@@theothesammy thank you! Our Samoyed, Weller, just turned a year old and is only 43 lbs so I am thinking getting enough hair to make a large blanket is going to take some time!
@@joshmueller2100 You'll be drowning in it in no time! When you keep collecting, it's amazing how quickly it adds up. I don't consider Theo to be on the "big floor" side of samoyeds, but the amount gets up there! He sits at about 58lbs and is 5 :)
Does this ever smell like wet dog when you wash them? Can you wash them?
Not after being washed lol
From what I've heard, the main downside to this yarn is that... It's too warm 😂
100%! I can only have it on me for a short period of time because it's either I turn the heating off or have the blanket on! I'm doing a vest now so I'm excited to see how it is outside in winter
Is your blending board 108 TPI?
Yes!
Do you spin dog fur for others? If you don't, do you know how I would find someone who does? Or does anybody know how to find someone who spins dog fur for others?
There is a chiengora group on fb that has a list as well as a few people on google depending on your location! There are also a few who visit this video, so if you're one of those people, then feel free to comment on this post :)
I'm really struggling with nebs in the processed fiber from my Great Pyrenees. I have lots and lots of yarn but always nebs no matter how many times I process it before spinning. You have any tips, or do we just embrace the nebs since it's Chiengora?
I haven't come across this issue too much but I'd try to take them out as much as possible in the rover process or use a finer roving PSI? If anything, just embrace and know that when things are hand made, every little nep is something your fingers have run past and that's what gives it character ;)
@@theothesammy Actually I figured it out! They may be double coated, but they actually have 3 types of fiber. There's an additional curling/long/spiralling fiber that has to be offcast too or it catches and tangles (they also have the guard hairs that I remove). Once I have it "picked properly" the fiber spins like a dream and is soft as a cloud.
Amazing trouble-shooting! Happy spinning :)@@JudeAndEvie
Hi! I have a Great Pyrenees too and I'm planning to start making chiengora, are there any tips you could give me regarding the process? I'm not sure how to pick out the best hairs and I haven't actually spun anything else before!
@@araleiin Through lots of testing, I finally found the best method and I rarely need to card. However, there are a lot of steps and several rounds of elimination with the fiber. Coarse and obviously guard hairs have to go. It takes me about three passes combing to get most out. I could put the whole process here but it's a lot of text.
How is Theo not bald yet
Hahaha this is the best comment yet I think🤪😛
The 1st video was better And all can do it
I posted this for those who may have seen the prior video but want to make it a quicker process. The first is more of the intro and this one, the intermediate. But thanks for watching!
Okay okay … can I use pet hair that I’ve vacuumed up. And wash the hell out of it.
I saw your other comment as well-give it a try! I personally would rather get the premium fur right from his body, but if you feel like you have enough of the good stuff to try, then might as well! Try spinning now because if you collect it all and wait but it turns out not to work on that quality of fur, then you'll be pissed! (or at least I know I would be hahah). Happy spinning!
Is your blending board 108 TPI?
yes!