Got out the combs during TdF to start using the last batch of this fleece. The carded batts were neppy and I thought it was the tips. As I am combing I am realizing that it was the shearing job. The fiber lengths are really uneven. I didn’t find much in the way of second cuts that fell out, but there are sheets of short fibers where the shearer made a pass that gave short locks with tips and another pass that gave a web of short fiber. It only really became evident when I was separating locks for the combs. I still really like this fleece.
The combed nests look really nice and the combing is going easily even though by nature it is a slow process. I think my technique is improving, too. I’ll keep slowly working on this pile of fleece. At a certain point I think I will call it done. I don’t think I will comb it all. This was a 7 or 8 lb fleece so there is still a whole laundry basket of fluff to comb. I don’t think I have the interest in doing all of that.
08-05-2025
Just about 110 g combed so far. This is a slow process! I have about 680 grams of fleece to go. I’m losing about 50% in the waste based on a 1 ounce batch that I worked on (about 28 g) today. Also it took me about 45 minutes to comb that ounce. Slow fashion….sloooooooowwww!
01-11-2026
I’ve been spinning this combed fiber this January. I may have started a little of this in December, but I’m really spinning it seriously now and am almost done. I decided to spin one bobbin of the lightest color and one of the darkest and then mixed them up on the third bobbin.
I finished three bobbins on the Wyatt Norwegian and then plied them on the Herbie. Now I’m topping off all the bobbins for the last of the plying. I don’t have much of the fiber left. I really enjoyed spinning the combed top so all the work was worth it! I’ll try to keep combing front of mind for a preparation technique. It’s a shame to have combs and not use them more often.
01-11-2026
Finished plying and washed the skeins (3). I’ll get weight and yardage and pictures once it is dry.
Three skeins--about fingering. 3-ply
Final weight.
Skein 1 75g
Skein 2 67g
Skein 3 82g
Total 224 g
I didn’t count the yardage.
Handspun
