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Post by Shepherdess on May 5, 2014 13:11:18 GMT
if you are carding on a drum carder you can take your fibers off with a diz to make a long rope of roving. I think there is a short video of me doing this on one of the blog pages. I should do another one that is longer.
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Post by lyn on May 5, 2014 14:13:53 GMT
Ooh yes, I remember. I haven't tried that yet.
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Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on May 5, 2014 21:43:19 GMT
Haha, Marilyn, this isn't my first fleece However, I'll say washing isn't the worst bit for me, it's all the hand carding... Enter a drum carder to make my life easier! Ann, if you put the fleece in the tumble dryer - doesn't it damage the appliance?
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Post by Pandagirl on May 6, 2014 1:25:03 GMT
Leonor, you asked about using the drum carder for felted roving. Here is a picture of some I just ran thru the carder yesterday. The green at the bottom and the blue on the side are felted pieces, the batt is the end result of carding. It's not real smooth, but it's useable. I ran it thru several times. feltingandfiberstudio.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/8wsusvmfkdpgpzx6md_l.jpgI'll post a pic of the green when I do that one.
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Post by zed on May 6, 2014 9:13:32 GMT
Ann's video, using a Diz: feltingandfiberstudio.com/2011/11/30/a-tutorial-how-to-make-roving-with-a-drum-carder/Leonor, the drum carder would certainly make your life a lot easier for carding a whole fleece. It is also a lot gentler, I think. I wouldn't hand card alpaca, I've carefully combed it through the teeth of carders, but I don't like what hand carding does to it. But when I've put alpaca through the drum carder, it just gently separates it.
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Post by Pandagirl on May 6, 2014 14:41:10 GMT
I've used a Diz for small amounts. This roving was really, really felted. It will be interesting to see if I can separate the green stuff enough to go they the carder. I also made a hackle,but since it's made from plastic combs, it would never hold up to the felted stuff. I'll post a pic later.
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Post by Shepherdess on May 6, 2014 17:33:29 GMT
In my dryer it all gets trapped in the lint filter. Marilyn split your felted roving length wise. Just keep splitting it in to smaller and smaller strips till it will go through the carder. It will never be the same as before but will be quite useable.
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Post by Pandagirl on May 6, 2014 18:34:21 GMT
Thanks Ann I'll try that.
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Post by zed on May 7, 2014 10:11:16 GMT
I've been really surprised at how good some of the dyed slightly felted wool tops and tops felted from being stuck in a bag at the bottom of a tub came out after going through the carder, I was worried it would just tear it up, but splitting lengthwise definitely helps.
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Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on May 11, 2014 20:13:43 GMT
My dears, the question is no longer whether I am going to buy a drum carder, it's when! I'm completely sold. I know this is probably not the best place to share this news (do tell me where I should post it and I will) but I just saw this US supplier and thought some of you might not know about it: www.paradisefibers.com Do let me know whether you've bought from them before and what you thought of it! I am often very envious of the amount of lovely shops in North America... *sigh*
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Post by Pandagirl on May 11, 2014 20:50:14 GMT
I buy thru paradisefibers.com. I don't have any real complaints. If you do have a problem, they have good customer service and their delivery is timely. Is that where you were looking at carders Leonor?
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Post by Leonor (of Eleanor Shadow) on May 12, 2014 8:53:20 GMT
Oh no, Marilyn! I just often google things like "fleece for sale uk" and the search engine chooses to show me stuff outside the UK as well. I stumbled upon Paradise Fibers and thought they looked good I think I'll always need to buy my carder (and later the spinning wheel) from the UK, otherwise Custom charges and post will be just too much to handle. On another note, I'm also envious of the different yarns the US has - I'm trying to find some Madeline Tosh Sport and having a lot of trouble finding a UK supplier!
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Post by koffipot on May 12, 2014 9:44:34 GMT
Leonor - I'm always envious of fibres and fabrics available in US, but agree that shipping together with extortionate UK Excise charges mean it's not cost-effective and can easily double the price of what seems at first to be a bargain! We've learned the hard way! By the way, I only have hand carders too! And only a drop spindle. (
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Post by Shepherdess on May 12, 2014 12:51:40 GMT
I don't know that we have more things available or just different things. You have a larger veriety of fleeses and fiber. And what's this I only have hand card. They served people for a very long time before the drum carder was invented and a lot cruder home made ones I bet than the nice modern ones we have now. The same goes for only a drop spindle. I have 2 spinning wheels and still spin mostly on my drop spindle. I am selling one of the wheels. Everything has its place. Spinning from rollags is different the from top or roving. a spindle is a lot more portable than a wheel.
For lama and alpaca why not look to see what they do in south America to process it. Zed, I wonder what the problem is usually hand carding is gentler on the fiber then a drum carder.
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Post by MTRuth on May 12, 2014 17:15:52 GMT
I have been to Paradise Fibers in person. It's a wonderful place to wander around. They have all different kinds of fiber and tons of yarn. They are geared mainly to spinners and knitters but they have felting tools as well. I haven't ordered anything online but the times that I have been there, they have been very friendly and helpful.
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