All of these years I've been drum carding the wrong way! I had no idea until I saw a post from a Facebook Fiber Friend! In this video I try out this new (to me) method of drum carding.
One of my steadfast beliefs is that there is no right or wrong way to do things, only ways that we discover work best for the result we’re seeking. I even find I card differently depending on the variety of wool I’m using. Different fibers have such variability in character that I need to work with them differently. Listening to and learning from your fibers will always benefit you in the long run. Love your videos Stephanie, glad you started posting more again❤️
I agree, work according to your fibre, intended end use and knowledge of your own carder. Interesting video though, thank you for showing us your test.
You weren’t doing it wrong! I prefer feeding it parallel. I also like painting it right on the drum. Putting it in sideways will allow more air to get between the fibers as well as make them cross cross a bit more I would assume. Therefore, it will just be a bit loftier. But honestly feeding it through, taking it off, then splitting your batt lengthwise and feeding it back through, will do the same type of thing AND it’s actually better to put it through twice. I’ve found I like my batts and rolags far more when I feed it through at LEAST twice. If I’m making a gradient, three times.
This does make perfect sense to me because of what I am beginning to understand how the wool is pulled off the bat to spin. Wouldn't have thought of it on my own but this does make it rhyme.
Stephanie, It's okay to feed the fiber either way. If you feed it in on it's side the batt will become more lofty and airy for the woolen spin, where if you feed it in butt to tip you could spin it as a semi-worsted because of having the woolen prep. I hope that this makes sense. Thanks for your videos. I love watching you spin.
@@catlover-fp5ig doesn't matter. It just changes how your finished yarn is. This would make a woolen preparation, so a fuzzier and loftier, warmer yarn.
Thanks so very much for this video, I found it really useful. I received a drum carder for Christmas and still haven't plucked up the courage to try it out 🙄😣..!! You've just inspired me! 🤩😍😘
Have you used it yet? I'd SOOOO love to be bought a drum carder...I cant imagine being so blessed and then not use it lol watching these videos it looks easy to do 😁 go for it!!!
This is a nice video! I think the way that works for you is the right way to do anything. I imagine the rationale to turn the fiber sideways is to misalign the fibers, but ultimately they probably get pretty much aligned again. I just bought a drum carder and I've never felt more creative. There is nothing better than spinning my own yarn to knit. Cheers from Saint Paul, MN!
Agree with Michell Erwin, depends what result you want, more woolen or more worsted (obvs can't be proper worsted). Not seen it fed in horizontal to the licker-in but have seen commercial carded prep where alternate layers had been fed in on the opposite diagonal slant which would give a more woolen result than feeding straight in.
From what I have been told on drum carding workshops you should not be able to hear any noise from your drums meshing. Try adjusting your large drum so you can slide a piece of paper between the drums. It feels weird at first but works and makes it much easier to turn the handle
Thank you for sharing this video. I do have a question - I have seen instruction where the fiber is taken through the drum carder several times. Can this be done with this technique? Thanks again!
So Stephanie in this video it looks like your using fiber that’s already been prepped have you tried it with washed and raw? Also have mixed Suri in at all with your carding?
Im not too happy with my drum carder and will try this technique. I'll feed in less at at time too. Mostly I either comb or card my wool and I don't do color except natural colors of the fleece. Been working on flax and working on micro 2 ply wool yarn for making socks. I have finally been able to make some real nice micro 2 ply wool yarn in quantity. Now to work on that darn sock machine. Since I can't post photos here on a comment here is my facebook page with current images. fb.me/naturesyarn
What am I working on? Socks for Mother's Day (I mentioned them in a comment to another of your videos - Knitted Wit Sock in the "Great Smoky Mountains" colorway from the Smoky Mountain Spinnery in Gatlinburg). These are my 4th socks, my 2nd toe-ups, and my first 2-at-a-time magic loop. The contrast heels, toes, and cuffs are Premier Serenity Sock in black. photos.app.goo.gl/N6DdkhQXGfRqCZGLA
Having sheared washed dyed and carded/ spun wool since before i could walk quite literally this made me cry becaue you call the rolog a ' batt " and there is far far too much and too thick material there for a single pass which is typical as you are " buying " and using pre cardef/ drafted material. also there deffinitivly is a right and a wrong way to do this all depending on the length of the fiber as well as the type of fiber and mixing fiber like this is honestly ill advised unless your end product has the fibers listed if purposed for resale to end user as may " spinners" sadly donot like using bamboo / synthetic there .....allways card short wool by the side your drafting from and long wool the opposite also 3 pases with hand carder could have done what you did in this entire video just saying also dont compress the wool as being lighter is better for the spinning of it
I assume that you are speaking for yourself, as the lady said, we all have our own voices. That's the beauty of this creative craft. There's no "definitely right or wrong way", use whatever makes you happy. That's the point you may have sadly lost somewhere along way.
