Carding Wool: A Comprehensive Guide to Preparing Fiber for Spinning

Carding wool is a fundamental step in preparing raw fleece for spinning. It’s the process of disentangling, cleaning, and aligning wool fibers to create a consistent and spinnable preparation. While the term ‘carding’ is often used broadly to describe fiber preparation, it specifically refers to using carding tools – usually hand cards or a drum carder – to achieve this aligned fiber structure.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of carding wool by hand, covering everything from choosing the right fleece to understanding the different techniques involved. We’ll also discuss the benefits of carding and how it impacts your finished yarn.

## Why Card Wool?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why carding is so important.

* **Disentangling:** Raw fleece is a matted mess of fibers. Carding separates these tangled fibers, making them easier to spin.
* **Cleaning:** The carding process helps remove vegetable matter (VM) like seeds, twigs, and dirt from the fleece. While not a perfect cleaning process, it significantly reduces the amount of debris.
* **Blending:** Carding allows you to blend different types of wool, colors, or even other fibers together to create unique yarn blends.
* **Fiber Alignment:** Carding aligns the fibers in a parallel or semi-parallel arrangement, which is crucial for creating a strong and even yarn. This alignment is what distinguishes carded preparations (like a woolen preparation) from combed preparations (like a worsted preparation).
* **Creating a Specific Texture:** The way you card your wool influences the texture of the resulting yarn. Carding typically creates a loftier, more textured yarn with a soft handle.

## Choosing Your Wool

The type of wool you choose will significantly impact your carding experience and the final yarn. Consider these factors:

* **Breed:** Different sheep breeds produce wool with varying fiber lengths, crimp, and textures. Some breeds are easier to card than others. For beginners, wools like Corriedale, Merino (though it can be fine and require more care), and Polwarth are good choices. These are relatively easy to card and spin.
* **Fiber Length:** Shorter fibers are generally easier to card than long fibers. If you’re a beginner, start with wool that has a staple length of 2-4 inches.
* **Crimp:** Crimp refers to the natural wave in the wool fiber. Wool with a lot of crimp will create a loftier yarn.
* **Cleanliness:** Look for fleece that is relatively clean and free of vegetable matter. While carding will help remove some VM, starting with a cleaner fleece will save you time and effort.
* **Grease:** Raw fleece contains lanolin (wool grease). Some fleeces have more grease than others. You can card wool in the grease, wash it before carding, or wash it after carding, depending on your preference and the type of fleece.

## Tools You’ll Need

* **Hand Cards:** These are rectangular paddles covered with wire teeth. They come in various sizes and with different tooth densities. For beginners, a medium-density card is a good starting point.
* **Flick Carder (Optional):** A flick carder is a small, single card used to open up the tips of the fleece before carding. This is especially helpful for fleeces with tightly packed tips.
* **Diz (Optional):** A diz is a small tool with a hole in the center used to draw off a continuous roving of fibers from the carded batt. We’ll discuss this later.
* **Apron or Work Surface:** To protect your clothing and provide a clean work area.
* **Bowl or Bag:** For holding your carded wool.
* **Optional: Mask:** Protects from dust and fibers, especially important for those with sensitivities.

## Preparing Your Fleece

Before you begin carding, you’ll need to prepare your fleece.

1. **Skirting:** Remove any dirty, matted, or heavily vegetated edges of the fleece (the skirt). This step is crucial for removing the worst bits of the fleece and reducing the amount of debris you’ll have to deal with during carding.
2. **Picking:** Gently pull apart the fleece by hand, separating it into smaller, manageable locks. This helps to open up the fibers and release any remaining vegetable matter. Don’t just rip the wool apart. Be gentle and try to separate the locks along their natural separations.
3. **Optional: Pre-washing:** You can wash the fleece before carding. This removes lanolin and dirt, making it easier to handle. However, washing can also cause felting if not done carefully. If you choose to wash before carding, use warm (not hot) water, a gentle detergent (like dish soap or a wool wash), and avoid agitating the wool too much. Rinse thoroughly with water of the same temperature and allow to dry completely before carding. Remember, washing removes the lanolin and could make the carding process bit harder if the fibre becomes too dry.

## Carding Wool by Hand: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: carding the wool!

1. **Holding the Cards:** Hold one card in your non-dominant hand (the ‘stationary card’) and the other in your dominant hand (the ‘moving card’). Angle the stationary card slightly upwards.
2. **Loading the Wool:** Take a small amount of prepared wool (about the size of a walnut to start with) and gently place it onto the teeth of the stationary card, near the bottom. Don’t overload the card. It’s better to add small amounts of wool at a time.
3. **Carding:** With the moving card, gently stroke the wool across the teeth of the stationary card, using a sweeping motion. Start at the bottom of the stationary card and move upwards. The goal is to transfer the wool from one card to the other, disentangling and aligning the fibers as you go. Apply gentle pressure. Too much pressure can damage the fibers.
4. **Repeating the Process:** Continue carding, transferring the wool back and forth between the two cards. Each pass will further disentangle and align the fibers. Typically, you’ll want to card the wool 5-10 times, or until the fibers are well-aligned and the vegetable matter is reduced. Listen to the sound of the cards. A smooth, consistent sound indicates that the fibers are being carded properly. A rough, scratchy sound may indicate that you’re using too much pressure or that the fibers are still tangled.
5. **Removing the Wool:** Once the wool is carded to your satisfaction, it’s time to remove it from the cards. There are two main methods:
* **Rolling a Batt:** To create a batt, hold one card horizontally with the teeth facing up. Use the other card to gently lift the wool off the teeth of the first card, rolling it onto itself as you go. This creates a fluffy, rectangular batt of carded wool.
* **Drawing Off a Roving:** This method requires a diz. Transfer all the wool onto one card. Gently peel back one corner of the carded wool. Place the diz against the exposed fibers and gently draw the fibers through the hole in the diz. This will create a continuous roving of carded wool. This method is better for spinning directly from the preparation.
6. **Storing the Carded Wool:** Store your carded wool in a clean bowl or bag until you’re ready to spin it.

## Troubleshooting Carding Problems

* **Wool is Too Tangled:** If the wool is too tangled to card easily, try using a flick carder to open up the tips before carding. You can also try adding a bit of moisture to the wool by spritzing it with water.
* **Too Much Vegetable Matter:** If the wool has a lot of vegetable matter, you may need to pick through it more carefully before carding. You can also try using a special vegetable matter picker after carding.
* **Cards are Slipping:** Make sure you’re holding the cards at the correct angle. The stationary card should be angled slightly upwards. Also, make sure your hands are clean and dry.
* **Cards are Damaged:** Check the card teeth for any damage. Bent or broken teeth can make carding difficult and can damage the fibers. Replace damaged cards.
* **Fibers are Breaking:** You may be using too much pressure or your card teeth might be too harsh for the fibers. Try a lighter touch or using cards with finer teeth.

## Carding Different Types of Wool

* **Fine Wool (e.g., Merino):** Fine wools require a gentler touch and finer carding teeth. Over-carding can damage the delicate fibers. It’s important to work in small amounts and use a light hand.
* **Long Wool (e.g., Lincoln, Leicester Longwool):** Long wools can be more challenging to card because the fibers are longer and more prone to tangling. Try using a flick carder to open up the tips before carding. You may also need to use a card with longer teeth.
* **Coarse Wool (e.g., Scottish Blackface):** Coarse wools are more resilient and can withstand more aggressive carding. However, it’s still important to avoid over-carding.

## Blending Fibers While Carding

Carding is an excellent way to blend different fibers together. Here’s how to do it:

1. **Prepare Your Fibers:** Prepare each type of fiber separately by picking and opening it up.
2. **Layering:** On your stationary card, create a thin layer of one type of fiber. Then, add a thin layer of the second type of fiber on top. Continue layering until you have a small amount of blended fibers on the card.
3. **Carding:** Card the blended fibers as you would normally card a single type of wool. The carding process will thoroughly mix the fibers together.
4. **Adjusting the Blend:** You can adjust the ratio of different fibers in your blend by adding more or less of each fiber during the layering process.

## Washing Wool Before or After Carding?

This is a matter of personal preference and depends on the type of fleece you’re working with. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:

**Washing Before Carding:**

* **Pros:**
* Removes lanolin and dirt, making the wool easier to handle.
* Allows you to see the true color of the wool.
* Reduces the amount of lanolin that gets on your carding tools.
* **Cons:**
* Can cause felting if not done carefully.
* Removes the natural lubrication from the wool, which can make carding more difficult if you over-wash and completely remove the lanolin.
* Requires more time and effort.

**Washing After Carding:**

* **Pros:**
* Less risk of felting, as the fibers are already separated.
* Can wash larger quantities of carded wool at once.
* **Cons:**
* Lanolin can get on your carding tools.
* More difficult to remove vegetable matter after carding.

**Carding in the Grease (Unwashed):**

* **Pros:**
* Lanolin provides natural lubrication, making carding easier for some people. Especially good for very dry fibres.
* Saves time and effort.
* **Cons:**
* Lanolin can be messy and can attract dirt.
* Can be more difficult to see the true color of the wool.

## From Carded Wool to Yarn: Spinning

Once you’ve carded your wool, you’re ready to spin it into yarn! The carded batt or roving provides a consistent and aligned fiber preparation that makes spinning much easier.

* **Woolen Spinning:** Carded wool is typically spun using a woolen spinning technique. This technique involves drafting from the end of the batt or roving and allows for more air to be incorporated into the yarn, resulting in a loftier, softer yarn.

## Other Carding Tools

While we’ve focused on hand cards, there are other tools available for carding wool:

* **Drum Carder:** A drum carder is a machine with two rotating drums covered in carding cloth. It’s much faster and more efficient than hand cards, especially for large quantities of wool.
* **Flick Carder:** We mentioned this one earlier, but it’s worth reiterating. A flick carder is a small, handheld card used to open up the tips of the fleece before carding. It’s especially helpful for fleeces with tightly packed tips.

## The Benefits of Learning to Card Wool

Learning to card wool is a rewarding skill that allows you to take complete control over your yarn-making process. You’ll be able to:

* **Customize your yarn:** Create unique blends of fibers and colors.
* **Work with a wider variety of fleeces:** Even fleeces that are considered less desirable can be transformed into beautiful yarn with proper carding.
* **Save money:** By processing your own fleece, you can save money on commercially prepared yarn.
* **Connect with the fiber arts community:** Carding is a traditional skill that connects you to a long history of fiber artists.
* **Create a truly unique product:** From start to finish, you’ll have complete control over the yarn you’re creating.

## Conclusion

Carding wool by hand is a labor of love, but it’s a skill that is well worth learning. It allows you to transform raw fleece into a beautiful and spinnable preparation, giving you complete control over the texture, color, and character of your yarn. With practice and patience, you’ll be able to create yarns that are truly unique and special. So gather your tools, choose your fleece, and start carding! Enjoy the process and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful from scratch.