CARDING WOOL WITH HAND CARDERS

We don't mind hand carding our alpaca fiber at all. In fact, it's exciting to see what you can create with different fibers and colors. 'Course we like to experiment a lot.

We relax in front of the TV or radio in the evening and, before we know it, we have lots of beautiful alpaca fleece carded and ready for another project.

Even more fun...get some other people from your spinning guild to join you. Lively conversation always passes the time faster.

We do have a drum carder, but we use both almost equally for carding wool. We card large amounts of fleece destined for felting projects on the drum carder. Those nice big batts are easy to lay out layers to felt. Smaller amounts are done on hand carders so we can blend colors for needle felted characters.

There are different types of hand carders. Some have curved backs and some flat backs. You have different choices for teeth per inch. There are different sizes of carders. So, you have a lot of choice.

For alpaca fleece, get one that accomodates fine fibers. If you have a chance to go somewhere where you might be able to try different carders, by all means do so. It is a great way to feel which hand carders would work for you.

We have Ashford curved back carders and have been happy with them. Honestly, though, we know nothing different as these are the only carders we have ever used. We have heard that many spinners prefer the curved back Louet carders.

We have had our carders for seven years and they are going strong. The teeth are not really worn. We used to only use hand carders for a couple of years until we could afford a drum carder. So, they have been well used.

Some people mark their carders right and left. We haven't and it seems to work just fine for us to use either carder in either hand. We haven't noticed any wear that would make us say "Gee, if only we had marked our carders left and right we wouldn't have this problem today".

There are a couple of different ways for carding wool. We found these instructions that will help you get started carding. If you see other ways of hand carding that works better for you, go for it!

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Blending colors is actually rather easy with hand carding. You'll need a scale. Weigh your fiber so that you put the same amount of each color on your carder every time then card as usual.

Don't forget to write down how much you used so you can repeat the color if you like it.

If you don't want to wear out your hand quickly, use your lap to lay the stationary carder in instead of holding it up in the air.

Use a dog brush to clean out your hand cards.

Now you can start your carding wool adventure and card up some beautiful alpaca fleece. Put on some music or settle down in front of the TV and you will surprise yourself at how much you can accomplish in one sitting. Now on to your new adventure!

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