I'm so glad you found it helpful Thank you

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I'm pleased that you liked the video and hope your carding is now perfect.

@@jamesgeorge4480 Without going in to too much detail before I watched your video on hand carding I had sent away for a drum carder which has not arrived yet. I hope to receive it in a few weeks. I wasn't aware at the time that there was such a thing as hand carding so I may still invest in a pair to give it a go. The drum carder I have invested in is quite wide because I thought the wider one would be more useful if I was to do a lot of spinning.

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. It's really appreciated and I am so pleased that you enjoyed it. It's good to be back and I have lots more videos planned too so keep an eye out!

I am sure that you will really enjoy combing your fibres. I would love to hear how you get on.

Thank you for your comment. I'm glad you found it helpful.

Thank you for your comment, I am so pleased that the videos have helped you. I haven't made any videos for some time but ì have lots more planned to do soon. I hope you'll subscribe to be notified. Happy spinning 😊

@@jamesgeorge4480 That’s great news! I’m off to subscribe to your channel right now!

Thank you for your comment. How exciting that you have an Auskerry fleece. You are correct of course that the fleece has guard hairs, which I clearly forgot to mention, probably due to the heat that day! I always choose to leave the guard hairs in the fleece as it's never a problem for me, however yours sounds extreme which could be due to the fact that it was still produced on the island where it needs that protection from the elements. I suspect that mainland flocks may have lost the need for so much. I would certainly speak to the breeder that you bought it from and ask their advice as they do process their own into yarn too. Usually the only way to remove hair is by combing but then you would risk spoiling the undercoat, unless you were prepared to de hair that by hand and re comb the undercoat. I'd be happy to try some for you if you'd like to send me some.

HI. They are Ashford Standard 72tpi. I know there have been supply difficulties recently. Try Wingham Wool Work. Threshing Barn and George Weil. As an alternative the Louet 72tpi are really nice too. I have their finer ones and find them really comfortable to use. Ibelieve Threshing Barn has them in stock.

The Woolery in USA has brand names also.

Thank you for your comment. If the fibre is breaking it would suggest that you are pulling it too far. Experiment with drafting over different distances, but still small distances ensuring that there is still twist in it to keep the strength. No twist equals no strength. Let me know how you get on.

That's fantastic news. We'll done. I'd love to see a picture of your yarn.

Thank you so much. Im so pleased that it has helped you. You will be able to enjoy the preparation as much as the spinning. Have fun.

Thank you so much. I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. I have to say I just put about a tablespoon of olive oil into my spray bottle of warm water and give it a good shake. Sorry I'm not more specific.😊

Hello I Canada! Im so pleased that you found it helpful. I'm sure that you will really enjoy carding. Please let me know how you get on.

You're welcome

Thank you. Yes you must try your combs and I'm sure you'll enjoy being skilled in both worsted and woollen. Let me know how you get on.

That's very kind of you to say. Glad you enjoyed it and hope it helped.

That's fantastic. Please let me know how you get on.

Thank you for your comment. I am so pleased that you found it helpful.

Thank you so much. I'm glad you found it helpful.

Thank you so much for your response. I'm so pleased that the video helped. As Finn sheep fleece has a staple length of 3-6 inches generally the preparation method will depend on the length of the actual fibre you have in front of you. So if it's shorter then ideally card and if longer than 3 inches then comb. However you may find that combing will help with any matted areas which you could then card. As it has already been picked carding is most likely the way to go but as I always say, test it out to see what works best for the fibre you have. The better the preparation the easier your spin will be. Hope that helped. Do let me know how you get on. 😊

You can do it! Practice first with an old ball of yarn before using your beautiful hand spun yarns. That will help to build the rhythm and all will be well!

You are welcome. Im so pleased you enjoyed it and hope it helps. Let me know how you get on. 😊

Thank you for asking the question. Finding little tiny lumps and bumps in the carded wool is often a problem. This is the reason that I prefer to card with my locks still intact. It enables me to remove the tips and butts to ensure that no dry or matted bits are in the fibre before I start to card, meaning that I am carding the very best fibre beforehand. It is often the tips that become dry and brittle and break off when you start to process them due to having spent a year in all weathers. So try to comb out the tips and the butts then card them. Be very gentle with your hands and don't try to force it. If ot feels difficult to card then you know you are pressing too hard. Let me know if that helps.

My pleasure

HI Frances. Thank you for your comment and your questions re BFL preparation. The best way to prepare it would be with fine combs if it is very fine and curly. I have a very crimpy BFL and my Louet mini combs are my go to tool. However you may find that a metal dog comb will enable you to prepare each little lock by combing both ends, but hold on tight in the middle of the lock! You could simply make a pile of combed locks and sin directly from that. Hope thah helps and do please let me know, I would love to see how you get on.

Thank you so much! I really hope that the videos help.

Thank you so much for your comment. It is really difficult to recommend a particular wheel but my suggestion is always to try a few first if you can as they can all feel so different. Also consider your needs now as a new spinner but also what may be useful in the future eg a range of gears (ratios), or the ability to change the flyer to a chunky or high speed for example. I absolutely adore my Woolmakers Bliss as it just spins like a dream and does everything I need it to. The Ashford Traditional is also very popular and is a great wheel that can also be adapted. I hope that helps but do let me know what you choose.

Thank you for your comment. I am glad you enjoyed it. I believe there should be minimal actual waste fibre as most of it can be used for other projects whether that's spinning, felting etc etc. Just enjoy it and make the best use of such a fabulous resource.

Thank you for commenting. That is a great way to start. It will help you to manage the rhythm before worrying about the hand spun yarn. Good luck.

Thank you so much Morgan. I do hope it's helped you. You must show me your results.

Thank you so much for your comment Elisabeth. I always make the videos hoping that somebody will find them helpful so I am so pleased that you like this one. Thank you. Let me know how you get on.

I shall make a video asap 😊

Thank you so much for your comment. I'm so pleased that you found it helpful.

I'm thinking of blending them all and making one big blanket but I'm not quite sure yet.

Well that's fantastic! I hope you also find it a useful technique.

Thank you Sharon. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Maybe one day you'll try spinning from a fleece too ! In the meantime enjoy your spinning.

Thank you for your comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful. If you are in uk try the Threshing Barn or Wingham Wool Work. Others are available online too. Good luck

@@jamesgeorge4480 Thanks a lot! I am going to enjoy preparation process and spinning even more!

@@Vera-cd8tq that's fabulous

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.

Apologies, I don't remember seeing your message before. I am so pleased that you enjoyed it and hope your prep and spinning are going well.

Hi Neena. Im so pleased that you enjoyed this video. Core spinning is is such a fun technique and I'm sure you will love it. You do need a good strong thread though for the core. Tie tge skein off in 4 places and wash it if it isn't too textured but do not agitate it at all. Be very gentle. Or steam it with clothes steamer if you have one. You could try steaming it in a covered colander over a pan of simmering water taking great care not to scald yourself! Do let me know how you get on. Id love to see your results. Feel free to join my community spinning group at www.thespinningbarn.co.uk where you can see what other members get up to as well. X

Thank you for your comment Beverley. I am so pleased that it has helped. I think the secret is finding what works for the particular fleece you are working with. Rules are there to guide us but often we need to bend them a little! Neps often occur if the tips are dry or there are very short bits of wool from second cuts etc so flicking or combing with a dog comb may be a good idea. Enjoy your spinning.