How to Spin Dog Fur Into Yarn: Theo the Samoyed Floof

I'm only an amateur wool spinner, knitter, and all around crafts person, but that means anyone can try this! I know it may be a little weird to spin your dogs fur, but I don't think it's much different than spinning other animal wool. If anything, your dogs fur is probably cleaner than other animal fur we wear all the time! I find the process to be time-consuming but perfect for the winter months, where there isn't much else to do. This way, you'll have something made from your dog fur forever and cherish it!
Looking for some more information on the history of dog fur spinning?
Learn more about "Chiengora", the term for "dog wool" and has been found in yarns dating back to pre-historic Scandinavia, from Navajo, and Northwest Coast Indigenous populations in North America: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiengo....
Learn more about the Samoyedic people (Nenets) and the role Samoyeds played in the 12th century: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nenets_...
Learn about another dog breed that went extinct due to colonialism in Coast Salish Indigenous territory called the Salish Woolly dog used to make textiles: www.thecanadianencyclopedia.c...
You will need:
2 slicker brushes
Shampoo and conditioner
Wooden Spindle: www.yarncanada.ca/products/to...
Needles: www.amazon.ca/Celine-lin-Colo...

[@KarenNLee]

I don't have a spindle or a samoyed, but I'll be darned if I didn't watch this whole video. Brilliant!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for the support!

[@charlotte7554]

I have a paper bag filled with the hair from my teeny old pup who passed. I saved it from a random haircut thinking I could make something with it, forgetting I have ZERO skills in fiber arts 😢😂❤

[@RuthJohnstonaworldofgoods]

Charlotte 755, I'm sorry for your loss. You CAN do this. Or maybe just try felting it. There are many videos on felting many types of fur. I love the projects where they felt onto a chiffon. Those seem a bit less intimidating. Good luck

[@abbeyv4148]

SAME! 😂

[@plan4life]

I was about to comment the same.

[@hollyrorienetwork]

I think ethical fur trading is making the most of our environment in a way that causes no harm to other creatures. Birds and mice use the shed to make their nests. Even humans like me enjoy snuggling with our fluffy cuddle buddies. Thank you for walking others through the process! I'm grateful for the lesson!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for the nice comment! Yes, if you head over to bird KZbin you can see them nesting with what looks like Theo fur! So cozy and warm😍

[@kriss3d]

When I was a kid my mom would cut my hair outside and just let the hairs fly. Later every year we'd see birds nests that had lumps of my hair in them.

[@mikorisheridan6769]

Yeah sadly there's not a whole lot in place to differ between the ethical trading and the horrible practices that are far more widely used.

[@hollyrorienetwork]

@@mikorisheridan6769 I get it. Too many Cruella de Vil's in the world.

[@demon_sfate5669]

My dog thinks this process if very unethical, she hates being brushed. Lol

[@missgeorgie]

I don't have a dog. I don't knit. I watched this entire video. It was oddly satisfying and facinating.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for watching!

[@EtherealOde]

I had a beautiful sweet red Australian Cattle Dog, who had the thickest undercoat you can imagine. Soft and fluffy, his coat was longer than the usual cattle dog and let me tell you he was a walking ball of shed! When he turned 4, I got the idea that someday I would learn to spin as I already knitted and crocheted. So every time he got a brushing, I saved the fur, putting it into a big ziplock bag. When I would have the time, I would sit with a towel on my lap and pick it, getting out any burrs, and other debris. Then I would pick out all of the top coat hairs, until I was left with only the soft, sort of camel colored undercoat. Back in the bag it went, dating the bag with a sharpie and marking it as unwashed. I forgot to say I did that with every step, so I could keep track of what part of the process I was in. When I had enough to fill the bag, I would gently wash it, but sadly not quite in the quantities you had! LOL! I also used conditioner to make it soft, and dried it by rolling in a towel just like you do! then it got placed on a clean dry sheet, and I laid it over a drying rack. It usually took only a day, or overnight, as I didn't have as much to work with. When he was 11, he had a sudden stroke in the night, and the next day we took him out for a big double bacon cheeseburger, apple slices, and vanilla ice cream. And then he had his last vet visit, who had cared for him from the time when he was a puppy. He was born on September 18, 2001. My husband decided to retire early, and we moved to the Canary Islands. This was a month before the Covid breakout, and we had rented a storage room thinking we would come back later and get it shipped (from Michigan!) here. We took 3 suitcases each, and almost half of my largest bag was filled with those carefully collected bags of my dear friend's wool. And I'm glad I packed them, as due to government issues along with the pandemic we haven't been able to go back to gather our belongings. Now I know how to begin the process of making it into yarn. But I think I might start with some wool rovings purchased online. I don't want to waste any of my dog's precious fur. Thank you for this video. I was crying and smiling through the whole video. Sad, because he is still do deeply missed. But happy that making dog fur yarn is possible.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for sharing your story! It's pretty incredible just how much the material means to us, as if they're leaving a part of your memories together behind. So beautiful. Glad you took the fur and yes, a bit of practice would be great. Either way, it will be precious and that's all that matters

[@creativecheersoffashionlau7364]

Hope you will have some beautiful yarn fron your sweet furry friend to forever be surrounded by him in form of a blanket or sweater. Good luck❤

[@xXAshHoleXx]

Thank you for sharing this incredibly bittersweet story. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’d love to see what you’ve made with your precious baby’s fur.

[@missq6450]

beautiful story and I know your dog is living in a very happy place

[@Deelitee]

This made my heart swell up❣️

[@elhazthorn918]

I honestly expected dog fabric from even the most majestic breed to look awful, but I was surprised to see the worn-in blanket at the very end looks legitimately luxurious.

[@theothesammy]

It turns out so fluffy and warm!

[@Electrovolutiona]

Native Americans used to keep and breed dogs in the north west for their fur along with all the other reasons they were kept. the fancy women could have 40 dogs to collect fur from.

[@ES11777]

Why would you expect it to look awful lol?

[@baronials]

people wear wolves fur all the time, this one is much more ethical and samoyeds have dense fluffy coats like wolves!

[@Rubiecat]

@@ES11777 because some dogs have poor hair quality I assume ? and also because you'd think humans would have started popularizing dog hair products a long time ago if they were good... turns out they were good ! but people were probably just lazy. things that cannot be mass produced aren't done anymore these days because "the market" only values the cheapest things even if they suck, instead of proper craftsmanship that makes the best use of every resource available

[@sociallyexhausted]

I love this idea because I'm a vegan and I think the shock my friends would have if I told them I'm using a dog fur pillow and blankie without context would be the best

[@mirjamw6665]

"You like it? Thanks! I made it from my neighbours dog,"

[@mint2marie]

Excuse my ignorance, but doesn't this conflict with the vegan dogma?

[@sociallyexhausted]

@@mint2marie excellent word play I love it. But also if you were serious in asking as well- it can go person to person. Me? If it's the shed and no animals were hurt or endangered by the process I could be okay with it. Some people may be entirely opposed to any animal products, but I personally see nothing wrong with using the dog shed to make yarn (no dogs are hurt, they were shedding anyway so nothing was taken from them that they needed, the dog was never at risk of being hurt by the process)

[@briarbat]

@@mint2marieEvery vegan is different. Some are entire against every animal product, while others are more open to them under certain circumstances. There are many vegans who eat honey especially if they know where it’s coming from. I know vegans who wouldn’t mind eating unfertilized eggs from backyard/pet chickens as well. There are many vegans who will use animal products if they can ensure the animals involved either are not harmed or receive some benefit to producing their byproducts

[@Widdekuu91]

Yeah I had this issue when I was a vegetarian. I did not eat fish, but I took fishoil/whaleoil for medicinal purposes (and probably should have taken more, in hindsight) but people around me would judge me (not saying that the polite people in this thread are, but *my* surroundings _were_ ) and say that I was a hypocrite for being vegetarian, but being okay with the killing of fish for fishoil. After two and a half years, I decided to eat a small hotdog and from that moment on, I am simply someone that 'eats as little meat as possible and occasionally chooses to cheat without any guilt" and that has been working for me for an additional 20 years now. I wish everyone would do that. Imagine the reducing of meat and the change in how animals will be kept and treated. @@briarbat

[@user89389]

I had a really, really fluffy cat. He had thick, long fur, very soft and smooth, and he had a lot of it. Our garden was FILLED with chunks of his fluffy fur whenever he was shedding, both from him being outside and shedding there and from me taking his pillows, toys, furniture (and my clothes) outside to clean them off. I'd often see all sorts of birds roaming around, looking for it and collecting it, then they'd fly off with a beak full of fur to build their nest with, only to come back a bit later for more. I think they really liked his fur for nest building, after all it was really long and soft. They must've made some cozy nests from it all.

[@theothesammy]

Sounds like the birds got the royal treatment!!

[@user89389]

Yeah they really did! :) @@theothesammy

[@s.s2510.]

whenever I bathed my boy, I'd collect the hair and wash them well and kept the balls of fur under a tree for birds to take, at first it wasn't intentional and they were gone within a few hours so I started doing it. I wanted to keep it to make yarn but when I saw birds taking them as winter was approaching I didn't save them.

[@user89389]

@@s.s2510. That sounds like a neat idea, you made it easy for them! I didn't think about doing that, but they still gathered most (if not all) of it. I'm sure they enjoyed their nice, cozy nest too, just like our local birds did! (Also isn't nature wonderful? Animals constantly change their fur, and instead of the shed, unnecessary fur lying around, it becomes a part of another animal's nest! I always found it fascinating that everything has a use in nature!)

[@lauralewis3769]

@@user89389God’s Amazing way of creating!

[@kristybear100]

Now I know why hand spun yarn is so expensive. It is a true labor of love! THANK YOU so much for your video and I would LOVE to see how you dye your yarn using natural methods.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much! Will keep you posted!

[@ire1398]

I harvested my Belgian Tervuren’s fur for years. When we lost him having it spun was a huge comfort to us.

[@VioletLoralai]

I used to joke when my grandma and I brushed her Border Collies "we could make a sweater with all this fluff" never really thought about actually doing it. This is great c:

[@theothesammy]

It's a joke until it's not!

[@margodphd]

This is the only luxury yarn I need - knowing it comes from an animal that is loved and happy makes it superior. Having a part of your pup with you even when away is just ❤

[@theothesammy]

You bet!

[@Futurebound_jpg]

Amazing! Ethical fur AND a good way to memorialize your fur baby

[@theothesammy]

100%!

[@AnimeShinigami13]

You know, this was something an old tribe in Siberia would do with their samoyed? They'd make it into blankets and tent coverings. XD so they were wool, guard and pack animals in one!

[@theothesammy]

Multi-tasking dogs! So many people make fun in public "oh boy, you must get sick of all that brushing!" but I respond "No way! His fur is pure gold and I make all these items with it!". It definitely shocks them to think of dogs as anything other than companions.

[@necroflowers2244]

​@@theothesammyDuring ww2. There was a massive wool shortage, and there was a huge national call for knitted socks for soldiers. So people started using dog fur to knit the much needed socks.

[@theothesammy]

@@necroflowers2244 Oh wow, that's so cool! Good to know the dogs got our backs! Or shall I say, feet!

[@wilmab4120]

I've heard that during the first half of the 1900s, people in Finland even used human hair and spinned it with wool because the wars really took a toll on the economy in general and people really needed more material for socks and other knitwear for the winter. They'd cut especially children's hair in the summers so it could grow out before winter came. It supposedly was warmer than wool only but I've never come across any of those sock so I really don't know if it's true.

[@theothesammy]

Oh wow, sounds like it's meant to be on an episode of QI!@@wilmab4120

[@FreyaWarr]

I have 4 huskies and have been saving their fur for over 7 years with the hopes of someday spinning. So, thanks for posting this ❤

[@FreyaWarr]

@@tomato6358 lol, yeah, I have several bags full!

[@FreyaWarr]

@@huhnocorn7397 will do, I just ordered the conditioner. Gone start this week, I hope.

[@theothesammy]

Depending on how stinky the fur is, you can leave out the first wash and wash it really well once you set the spin. That should save some time!

[@FreyaWarr]

@@theothesammy oh thanks for the tip! I’ll give it a try, since I have so much, if the first skein is a flop it won’t be too big a deal.

[@FreyaWarr]

Update! I have finished my skein! It’s not the prettiest yarn but it’s yarn! I’m going to buy an e-spinner in a couple days. I’m leaning towards the EEW 6. I’ve been using a drop spindle and as much as I enjoy it, I want to spin enough to knit a blanket (I have more than enough fiber for one lol) and the drop spindle has been very hard on my shoulders and wrists. Also going to invest in a drum carder. I have been using a blending board to comb out the fibers but it is also very hard on the joints.

[@thea7826]

I would love to see a collaboration between you and @GirlWithTheDogs - using her furnados for knitting would be bomb :D

[@Sizzle4242]

That is such a good idea! This tutorial was amazing and I feel like both this person and the girl with the dogs have similar cool/really love dogs vibes.

[@theothesammy]

I would love that! The recent one with the Great Pyrenees and all that floof. I was amazed

[@theothesammy]

Best compliment ever!

[@thea7826]

@@theothesammy I was actually watching that one few videos before this XD

[@JH-zr8lo]

I love "Girl with Dogs" she would be the floof supply jackpot. Vanessa always kids about knitting her sheddings from her EquiGroomer into sweaters--a guest appearance collaboration would be hysterical!!🐶🐶

[@cynthiaellis5716]

I have seen yarn made from golden retriever. You have to be in a cold climate to be able to wear a sweater or vest knit from it. It's really warm.

[@patportran4683]

Most animals can be very warm. That is why is is a good idea to blend it with some wool.

[@secession77]

30:38 - OMG! I didn't expect it to turn so fluffy like the Samoyed itself 😮

[@theothesammy]

Like a fine wine!

[@patportran4683]

Because Samoyed for doesn't have the barbs, like wool does, it will come loose and will fluff up .----- the same as angora does (from rabbits!)

[@causeihave2]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I just lost my 14 yr old husky, and I plan to turn my painful feelings and the bags of fur I saved over time into some beautiful yarn. I subbed and look forward to any other content on this topic. Hoping I have enough fur for a sweater that will help me brave Canadian winters next time I visit family. :)

[@theothesammy]

Sorry to hear about your doggo! Spinning the fur has been so cathartic of a process. I hope it is for you too. Connects you with your fur baby on so many levels. Hope you have a lot of fur to make a sweater though!

[@Nari_Trovi]

Hope the process was nice :)

[@CrystalRuizEnriquez]

I wish I had though about making my husky's hair into yarn, i still miss her very much.

[@AzazelsWings]

I have saved my maltipoos fur for years now, he's still with me, but getting to be an old man, I hope to make something out of all those locks some day.

[@Freya1412]

I have some fur from my malamute in a bag. I was going to throw it away as usual but he got sick and within 2 days I had send him off on his final journey. I just can't throw away this bag. He passed in February and I kept this bag of fur like a treasure when I've thrown out so many bags of fur like it over my Hiro's 14 years. I know nothing about spinning yarn. But I like the idea of spinning his fur onto yarn that I can use to knit or crochet something.

[@okaminess]

Woohoo! I’m from the Navajo Nation. I kinda weave sometimes. Really love fiber arts though. Loving this dog energy.

[@theothesammy]

Wow! Thanks so much for watching! I can only aspire the ancestral greatness! :) More videos to come. I'll be sure to include Theo lol

[@JupiterRadio]

I'm watching from the Navajo Nation 😊 I was curious if I could make yarn from my Maine Coon and Tabby lol

[@mandychristiansen6491]

This was fascinating to watch! I fell into a rabbit hole that started with watching a lady carding and spinning her angora rabbits' fur, and ending with this! I would've never thought to use dog hair to make yarn! 🤯 I feel like this is an amazing way to use what would otherwise be considered waste! But there's nothing wrong with your dog's fur, it's soft and beautiful so why not?!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for the wonderful comment, Mandy!!! Now everytime you see a samoyed you can tell them to look up this video haha. Glad to be your rabbit hole of the day :)

[@est9949]

I started from a sheep sheering video (shout out to right choice sheering) and holy, I'm here watching dog fur spinning 😂

[@CrystalRuizEnriquez]

Was it that lady that spun the yarn straight from the bunny?

[@chickadeeacres3864]

I was simply wanting to educate myself on yarn 101 LOL!

[@patportran4683]

I was collecting some onion skins (the dry outside of yellow onions) -- to make a dye --and said that nothing goes to waste! One man's garbage is another's raw materials!! That's how this earth works!!

[@bmolitor615]

I have a shiba scarf that I love so much, their yarn blooms so nice. I spun it raw cuz the oils helped to adhere it together, and then washed the skeins before my step-mum knitted it for me. [also, I have the impression that my shiba was a naturally clean dog, from other peoples' comments]

[@theothesammy]

I've been doing that nowadays as well. I was doing it just out of laziness and it worked out fine!

[@Bioluvskatz]

I’ve always been interested in making my own yarn. Was NOT aware you could do it with dog fur! Very cool. Thanks for sharing your talent with us!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for the comment and for watching!

[@landreeall]

Dont recomend doing that. Is verry unmorall and unorthodox. Jesus said that we can use fur of those we eat. The cat, the dog is not normal to be used. Yes is fluffy, yes is soft, yes , yes, yes, but as human beings we should live with God moral laws. If not we will begin making clothes from crows and God knows what else.

[@patportran4683]

Any kind of fibre can be spun into yarn: Stinging nettles, even rhubarb!!!

[@Bioluvskatz]

I’d never thought about that! Thanks

[@jaclyn4098]

A little tip: when carding, pull the hair off the very end first before moving to the top of the brush and pulling from there. It helps to cut down on how much unusable matted fur you end up with.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for the great tip!

[@facecy1427]

I'm just now getting into this and I totally appreciate the tip. I have Pekingese and their fur is exceptionally soft and long for that matter. Can't wait to learn more! Thanks again

[@tammykrauss5573]

You know Samoyed is the cashmere of the dog world. I have yarn my mother had processed at a mill and blended with merino. Love it. Thx

[@patportran4683]

She really doesn't know how to do any of the steps!!! But it's a start. Go to some other videos if you want to lean how to do this!!

[@cornicekurt11111]

@@patportran4683 Thanks for the negative feedback. The pillow and blanket say otherwise Karen

[@MichaelChin1994]

Thanks! We just adopted our first dog. He was abandoned and had a literal garbage bag of extra fur on him. I figured "Why let this go to waste?" I plan on making little clothing pieces for 3D printed figures and maybe fix some things around the house with it. This is so cool!

[@theothesammy]

Wow, that's so resourceful! Good for you! Happy home fixing and knitting :)

[@aygulmemet4201]

This is actually saving our planet from excess waste

[@charbeleid193]

Fur is biodegradable and an amazing fertiliser so idt so. Or maybe that's not what you meant

[@mysticalmaddie6924]

@@charbeleid193 people who knit usually do it with yarn bought at the store which means there are carbon emissions associated with caring for the sheep, the factories that produce the yarn, and transportation from farm to factory to store. so by using this yarn making process at home it is cutting out all of those sources of green house gas emissions.

[@lauranyc4966]

And dog hair is the most expensive yarn 🧶 Because it’s warmer than other wools .

[@katietucker2040]

@@mysticalmaddie6924 Most store bought yarn is synthetic or a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. Another reason to use chiengora! It's also free if you have the right kind of pup. 😁

[@lauraweiss7875]

I have been leaving my dogs undercoat sheds for birds in spring. They love to line their nests in warm, soft, naturally water repellent Great Pyrenees fur.

[@maritzadominguez4343]

Theo looked so pleased with the products he helped make lol, a proud pup

[@theothesammy]

A proud doggy dad of his own blankies

[@idt1]

Imagine making a sweater or a scarf and over time as you always wear it, people's clothes tend to become worn out or loose and yours instead get prettier day by day! Sounds like a fairy-tale!!❤

[@theothesammy]

and I have the fur to patch any holes if they happen! haha

[@idt1]

@@theothesammy a real life Fairy! 🥺

[@patportran4683]

When I was showing some yarn I made, one lady thought a sample was so soft against her cheek. When I said it was Sheltie collie fur, she dropped it sooooo fast!! It was hilarious!

[@rachelking5233]

I don't have a dog, but because of this video, I started my journey of hand spinning. I've been crocheting for a while now, and yarn has always fascinated me. Thanks to you, I now own a drop spindle, and more wool roving than I know what to do with! Thank you for introducing me to handspinning. It makes me feel whole ❤

[@debraannconn2706]

As a knitter, I have always wondered about the process of making yarn from the raw fur (wool) and you have described it brilliantly! I wish I had saved the fur from the constant brushings of my sweet Bambi girl, who was a Golden/chow mix, but I will save my cat's fur now.

[@theothesammy]

Awesome, thanks so much! Happy spinning and knitting!

[@patportran4683]

Cat fur works very well, brushings are best. Be sure to put in a LOT of twist!!

[@sophiescott143]

This video is very informative and legitimately helped me iron out and lock in some world building I've been contemplating for a bit of collaborative writing I'm doing with a friend. I needed to know how to make certain types of fabrics; turns out they start with yarn....but can you make yarn out of regular fur instead of polyester or sheep wool? Turns out...you can! So thanks for this. Also tell Theo he is a Good Boy.

[@dh.151]

Polyester wasn't created til the 40s! Before then most everything garment wise was natural fibers! No other choice. Poly sucks, I want a sheep so I can have unlimited wool 😂 but people use rabbit, alpaca, I've seen people felt with their cats hair, I mean you can do anything u set ur mind to lmao

[@archkull]

@@dh.151 I share your hatred for polyester! I hate how its in everything now :(

[@kimberleyscammell8370]

Yarn can be made out of hair rather than fur/wool, but it can be more difficult to spin because it is slipperier. It also requires a higher degree of twist in order to make a yarn that holds together. She is actually making rolags, not roving. Carding fiber, to make rolags or roving, produces a cross-hatch of fibers for a woolen preparation. This allows the spun yarn to capture much more air for warmth. The only way to have all your fibers going in the same direction is to use a set of carding combs and keeping all cut ends facing the same direction. This is generally done by combing a fleece from the wool locks. Combing removes all short and neppy fibers. This preparation creates a yarn that's smoother and more durable than the carded preparation and is known as worsted. Definitely be careful with the amount of soap, agitation, and temperature changes in water, when scouring your fur/wool, or you'll end up with matted mess that you will not be able to pull apart. Just remember, less is more when it comes to wet fiber. 🙂

[@platedlizard]

Look up the Salish Wool Dog, dog fur can absolutely be used to make yarn. They’d add other fibers as well, such as feathers or strips of cedar bark depending on what the end product would be used for

[@dawert2667]

You can make yarn from practically any fiber! One of the newer trends is making yarn from rayon, which is a fiber that is usually extracted from bamboo. And don’t knock polyester; if you have any clothing that is lightweight and stretchy then it’s made from polyester or a related material. Cotton yarn is stiffer and good for absorbing mositure Polyester or acrylic yarn is great for stretch and softness Wool yarn is the best for weight and warmth Rayon and polyblend yarn is usually good for silky garments with drape. If you’re looking to worldbuild clothing, just hit up Joann fabric and look at the material tag on anything you find. You’ll be shocked honestly

[@OctopusGardenFarm]

As a dog groomer I have toyed with the idea of doing this for years. I know this video is old but I'm really glad you did. I know people have felted with dog hair so why not.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for the comment!

[@patportran4683]

Why not indeed? All that wasted fur.... makes me so sad! Even use it for stuffing!

[@LovePantsu]

whoever invented this is a genius! never occurred to me you can knit something out of your dog’s fur. the pillow and the blanket look and surely feel fabulous ❤

[@theothesammy]

Indigenous Samoyed peoples invented doing this with Samoyed fur! Very incredible!

[@whyistherumalwaysfinished27]

I have a white husky nephew in his spring blowout, this is an absolute game changer! Thank you! 🙏🏿

[@omgicanflybro]

The patience she has, oh my lord. Had to watch the entire video for her. Incredible stuff.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for watching! It was during the pandemic so there was a little extra time but now it's a great winter activity. teehee

[@omgicanflybro]

@@theothesammy pandemic or no pandemic, this is awesome really.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks!

[@JessicaJLandi]

Love the blanket & pillow! So cool to use their fur this way.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much! Look forward to the future projects to come!

[@violetstarburst256]

THIS IS SO NEAT! My cat shed SO MUCH this year, I'll be damned if I'm not tempted to get a spindle!!

[@theothesammy]

Yes! Happy spinning!

[@auroradelaguacate4153]

The cat hair may need the foundation of some sheep wool to help it stay together.

[@alexandrah5571]

​@@auroradelaguacate4153 thanks for that tip, I've been saving my main coon and bengal fur for a couple of years now!

[@sophiaschier-hanson4163]

My interest in Northwest Coast social history and traditional life skills brought me here. Thank you for keeping this ancient, seriously endangered art alive! :)

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much!

[@happysheep6097]

Yess! Natural dye tutorial! :D

[@theothesammy]

Will do!

[@kitrathenar]

I was just looking for a basic drop spindle tutorial, but I am so glad I found this one because everything is better with dogs. Thank you so much for posting this, and please tell Theo from me that he is a very good boy.

[@theothesammy]

You can likely find both of them which is good! I'll tell the he's a very good boy for sure :)

[@lynnm6413]

@@theothesammy I‘d be interested to know if you think both shedded and shorn of dog‘s hair could be used, or does one have to seperate the two? There‘s a dog groomer close by and I‘m sure if I helped out a bit I could get the fur if I asked…I‘m currently doglegs because I am still grieving for my soul dog

[@theothesammy]

@@lynnm6413 Sorry for your loss! I think it would depend of the quality of fur. Usually, the undercoat fur from a double coated dog that is brushed is best because it doesn't have a sharp end and it's very soft. But I've seen people spin their golden retriever fur and others. If you went to the groomer, I'd ask for the undercoat of any double coated dogs and if they have any of that saved or could save it. But as a trial, you can go ahead and do whatever you'd like. It's the fun of trying something new and spinning anything that is the point anyway :)

[@lynnm6413]

@@theothesammy thank you for these suggestions... I'll see if anything comes of it! Warm, happy kisses for Theo, too... of course

[@patportran4683]

Don't think that this is the correct procedure at all! Study someone who knows how to do it properly!

[@hildaelson4203]

This is absolutely incredible! Like being hugged by your dog all the time and have something to remind you of them forever. When I was a child I was so attached to our first dog that I thought that when he died, I was going to turn him into socks (he was a Chihuahua). Thanks Heaven I did not carry on with the plan and he has been resting peacefully in the ground for a few years now.

[@theothesammy]

Awww so sorry to hear about your doggie. Glad he's resting in peace now! Yes, this is exactly like being hugged by your dog, but without as much drool and stink..but we love that too haha

[@patportran4683]

A Chihuahua has short hair.... not good for spinning. You need long hair, like a Pomeroy, or a long-haired cat.

[@juliawright8395]

I've wanted a video like this for such a long time - thank you.

[@theothesammy]

Glad you liked it!

[@hjk7961]

Your dog is so cute and your yarn from the dog is cute too

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much!

[@emmagoldmansherman]

Thank you for this - amazing! I've been saving my Aussie Labradoodle's fur since I got her, and we are starting to spin - so excited to see what you've made!

[@theothesammy]

Great! Looking forward to showing you the next projects!

[@RMacca]

That blanket is stunning!

[@amandameintjes688]

Very late to the show, but I just had to say how much I appreciate this video. Well explained with no fussing about. I'm slowly getting used to the idea of using fur/wool of anything that's not sheep, rabbits or lamas, as a yarn source. I don't understand why it's so weird to me, to think about it in the first place, maybe because we are so used to sheep, and nowadays, rabbits and lamas as the main source of wool/yarn (at least in my country. Probably more common in other countries). Thank you for taking the time to do this video and enlighten people like me

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for watching! It certainly is funny how comfortable we are with materials very far removed from us and our care. Food for thought! Thanks for watching :)

[@patportran4683]

Explanation is one thing, but showing how to do it is another! She doesn't even know the proper terms for things!!!! She certainly doesn't know how to spin, or card. Not a good video to watch. I'd rather you watch mine, if you want to.

[@faradayfarm4800]

You need to look up plying! Your work is lovely and you can certainly knit with singles but you may find it easier to ply it before you begin knitting/crocheting it. Also if you "twist" the niddy nodded you can wrap it on one handed. (Think button twirling)

[@faradayfarm4800]

Spell check "fixed" niddy noddy and batton

[@theothesammy]

Wow, thanks for your help!

[@auroradelaguacate4153]

Came here to say the same thing. As a spinner of dog hair for over 20 years, I find the end product more durable when two single plies of yarn are spun together in the opposite direction to twist them together.

[@froggydoodle808]

​@@auroradelaguacate4153Do you have KZbin videos as well? Do you spin pure dog hair or mix with wool?

[@Liliarthan]

With 3 cats and a very floofy Aussie Shepherd, I now have something amazing to make with all of their floof! Thank you for showing us the process. Theo is goooooorgeous!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for the comment!

[@MOPE2MOPE]

my great grandmother used to always make socks out of her dogs fur, brings up memories

[@theothesammy]

So cool! Been doing it before youtube lol

[@Blackoreanfemale]

Weird... how did i get here🤔 oddly beautiful ... cool. Nice work

[@sapphirecamui6447]

I don't know about you, but this video was recommended to me... I am a beginner sewist, so i watch a lot of videos with sewing. I also watch random DIY videos, so probably YT thought i'd like this video.

[@naomifarrol7555]

This is Great! I have a sammy as well and have been trying to figure out on how to make his fur into yarn!

[@Lady_dromeda]

Kind of reminds me of spinning fur from Angora bunnies, though you can spin their fur straight from the bunny

[@withlove1111]

I got my Australian Shepherd 3 years ago and as I was brushing him .. i popped into my head to save his fur and have been saving it ever since thinking I could make something with it down the road. Thank you so much for this video. The things you created with your dogs fur are beautiful and meaningful ❤️🐕

[@theothesammy]

thanks so much for the comment

[@yo.momma_og]

Simply a beautiful process. Thank you for sharing. 🥰

[@livenletlive7537]

I wish I would have known about this before my great pyre passed. He used to shed twice a year ALOT of fur and I would get a pillow case full each time I brushed him. If I ever get another great pyre, I will definitely do this.

[@theothesammy]

Please do!

[@livenletlive7537]

@@theothesammy Thank you.

[@patportran4683]

Absolutely!!!!

[@cornicekurt11111]

I have a Great Pyr and I’ve been saving his brushings. I don’t know how to spin and I don’t know how to knit, but I’ll give it a try. 😊

[@theothesammy]

Awesome!!@@cornicekurt11111

[@Hunniibee420]

Clicked this thinking it was going to be you doing some odd ASMR video then not even 30 secs in you show a blanket AND pillow?! I didn't even know this was possible! You and your fur baby are amazing🤩💛

[@theothesammy]

hahaha ASMR spinning video though? THoughts?

[@patportran4683]

\young people now-a-days are too far removed from the source of many things. "I don't have to plant anything. If I want beans, I can go to the store, and buy them!"

[@Hunniibee420]

@@theothesammy I'd absolutely watch that'd be so relaxing!

[@artsavant366]

It looks so beautifuly fluffy and warm.

[@alishaokeeffe7574]

This is the most randomly fascinating video I’ve stumbled upon in ages. That looks wildly time consuming and messy but also beautifully sentimental and meditative

[@theothesammy]

Exactly all of those things! Thanks for watching!

[@woodenleaves]

OMG the end results are so beautiful! You are amazing for showing the process. Thank you!

[@theothesammy]

thanks so much for the kind words!

[@Goodbye_Pepper]

This is so cool! Thanks for sharing your process, it was really awesome to see you turn shed fur into a knit piece with basic tools at home!

[@patportran4683]

Do you know cotton grows on a bush?? And the fibre is very short!! Did you know you can also use nettles and rhubarb for spinning??

[@Zincchromeshema]

I'm amazed! These are beautiful! Thanks for showing us how it's done!

[@theothesammy]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dotesondots]

How wonderful. The blanket and pillow are lovely and keepsakes.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks!

[@7hilladelphia]

More craft with Floof ! Please 🥰✨🤩

[@kriss3d]

The dog certainly don't seem to mind its fluff being used by its humans.

[@l.4951]

Wow, I now have a whole new level of appreciation for this process. Thank you for creating this video. ❤️

[@theothesammy]

Thanks! I have a new found appreciation for all my clothes now. Especially when I see hand spun. So much time!

[@ComicBrooks]

I can't believe I watched this whole thing, you have a way about you that is so calming!

[@missmaggie5509]

This is so great and you are a terrific person to listen to.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for the comment

[@sky.the.infinite]

This is so GREAT! I always thought this should be possible! I don’t have a long-haired or more accurately, _furry_ dog (my little guy passed last year but he also didn’t have fur like your guy) but I have often been around them in life and peoples homes *FILLED* with their fur and have always thought it should be able to be used to make things, like woolen/furry blankets, coats, etc. your method around the carding is TOTALLY what I had in mind. You’re wonderful 🙂 thanks for sharing this whole process with us!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for your lovely comments! Now you can show them this video when the house is full of dog hair!

[@sky.the.infinite]

@@theothesammy Yesss ✨ Exactly!

[@angelightartstudio8986]

I loved this informative video! I have 4 luxurious, long haired Ragdoll cats. Their fur is long, silky, bunny soft, with a wool-like undercoat that blows out 2x a year. I have way too much saved for birds nests, so I'm going to try a Raggy scarf! Thanks for the idea!

[@marybellbellomo3298]

Thank you so much, I was just searching it, I lost my collie some days ago and I have her fur. I was thinking since last year to do something and now it's the time. Thank you so much again

[@GIRLBOSS-1111]

This is AMAZING the yarn comes out so beautifully what a great recycling of Theo’s beautiful coat

[@theothesammy]

Thanks!

[@sammytay2967]

This is so helpful! I’ve just started saving my Samoyeds fur exactly for this reason. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@theothesammy]

Awesome! Good luck!

[@NatJuno]

This is incredible

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much!

[@zad08]

Was looking for something to do with my huskies fur. Thank you for the video. It looks like a lot of fun.

[@theothesammy]

A good way to spend the winter months!

[@idontreadrepliesdontbother]

love when youtube recommends me stuff like this. that blanket looks so cozy.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for watching! They knew you needed the visual cozy in your life haha

[@jessj2348]

It takes a lot of time and effort! I would never imagine doing that.

[@rosemariehogan1262]

Awesome from start to finish! Just awesome!! I found you while looking for how to spin the hair cuttings from my Lhasa Apso. I had a rust-colored Akita who shed like crazy and gave me tons of fur but, as I didn't know how to spin wool then, I gave it to birds and other wildlife for their nests. So wish he was still here and we still had his fur.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks!!!

[@cynthialemus2591]

I have a labradoodle and cannot wait to start weaving with his fur!

[@theothesammy]

SO exciting!

[@BabsAsante]

Awesome information! Very thorough and detailed. Thank you for sharing!

[@patportran4683]

Not really!

[@bygraceonly182]

That pillow is gorgeous!!! 😍

[@theothesammy]

Thanks!!

[@zdoggizzle]

Holy wow!!! A video I never knew I needed! I have a shiba who is supposed to shed a lot, she’s only a puppy now, but now I’ll save her fur and do this!!! I’ll always have something literally of her!!!

[@theothesammy]

Amazing ! Yeah, I always think how nice of a keepsake it will be when he's gone and then gets me really sad to think about when that will happen :(

[@vickyandrews8468]

Loved this vid. I have Great Pyrenees and will be trying this with all the lovely, fluffy fur I usually vacuum and put out for the birds. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@theothesammy]

Amazing! let me know how it goes!

[@patportran4683]

Study some other videos first; she doesn't know how to properly spin!!

[@ashleyt2953]

I'm less patient. So I just used the clumps of fur from my husky and did needle felting with it. He's passed now but I still have a big bag of his fur and it means so much to me now.

[@theothesammy]

awww that's so sweet. Let the little husky live on

[@ahmylabellamy2205]

Me watching this entire process fascinated, like who would’ve thought! I’m glad to know this possible even if I may never use it. And your puppy is adorable. ❤️‍🔥😂

[@theothesammy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Margot_Lazarus]

That was really fascinating. I don't have the right kind or dogs for spinning their fur into yarn, but I really appreciated how thorough you were and getting to see the whole process

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for watching! :)

[@patportran4683]

She really should learn how to do it properly! There is a better explanation on my blog,

[@phestojen7966]

This could be a good way to make a memorial piece for a dearly departed fur friend. Very fun video!

[@theothesammy]

I think so too! Thanks for the comment!

[@bowerbirdstyle7661]

Thank you for this detailed and clear demonstration of how to create yarn! You have demystified the process for me. I feel ready to give it a go.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for the comment!

[@bbsmasonry4844]

That blanket is amazing!! I wanna do that with my Siberian.

[@theothesammy]

Yes! Let me know how it goes!

[@kellijeske4407]

This video is everything ❤️ It's so helpful! Your finished products look so nice and soft, it makes me want to try this with my samoyed's fur 😍 You should definitely do that dye video. 🧣🧤🧦 I'd love to see how you do that!

[@theothesammy]

I'm so glad! I'll post a video on how to dye pink with avocados soon! Hope you get into it!

[@jdmosaics]

@@theothesammy Acacado is not a substantive dye and changes colour over time and fades even when mordanted

[@theothesammy]

@@jdmosaics over what amount of time does it change colour in your experience? I've had some blankets and other projects that I've had for a few years and they seem to hold up quite well. It's nice for the light colouring and as long as it's not only white and has some colour variation, it's still pretty cool. Sometimes just fun to experiment with things we have in the home😊

[@theothesammy]

The colour hasn't changed over the years but I also wash it very few timesZ!

[@patportran4683]

She would probably mess it up as well. No, she needs to learn how to do it correctly before trying to teach other!! Even I am better on my blog.

[@CamiMortimer]

That blanket w the pink streak is gorgeous!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks!! It's dyed with avocado pits and skins. I have a video on that too. You can dye other clothing with it too.

[@meganclark-hutchings7464]

I have an Aussie shepherd and I think about this every time I comb him!!!

[@pot0tin]

Watching this is thepeutic I swear!

[@HandiworksbyClyne]

Wowww beautiful, it looks like mohair.

[@ketovida7250]

Wow! What a talent and patience 👍🏼

[@theothesammy]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@MilaKatarinaxoxo]

I don't want to sound morbid, and I know all of us hate even the thought of our beloved pets passing, but how nice would it be to have something like this when that happens?

[@theothesammy]

it's so true though. Every time I make something, I think "this will be so good to have theo live on in this format and I can cuddle it whenever I miss him or feel sad about it"

[@LK-3000]

Wow. This is the most comprehensive video I've found on how to spin dog fur. You've explained everything perfectly. Thank you so much!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks so much for the positive review!!! Stay posted for more :)

[@theothesammy]

I'm even thinking of doing the dog spinning fur 2.0 for those who want to level up and speed up the process in ways I've learned since filming this video.

[@patportran4683]

She could do alright, if only she would learn the correct terms!!!

[@ChiseledDiamond]

Now to make it into a tiny samoyed plush

[@theothesammy]

Hahaha actually, I used some of the fur to felt a tiny Theo face Christmas ornament 😆 never put it past me!

[@mcgibs]

A dogmunculus.

[@dotty7789]

This is really awesome, thank you for showing how to make yarn!

[@theothesammy]

Very welcome!

[@patportran4683]

If only she knew how!!!

[@BrokenArrowPottery]

Absolutely amazing! I think that's great! The blanket & pillow look so cozy. Excellent video; your instructions would be easy to follow. Thank you for making the video.

[@theothesammy]

Thank you so much! Let me know what other videos may be helpful!

[@patportran4683]

Yes, the instructions are wonderful.... too bad she didn't know how to do it herself!!! Or even know the correct terms!!

[@Darvit_Nu]

I always wondered how exactly to use a spinning tool like this! You've obviously practiced quite a bit with it & I appreciate the demo so much! It would take up far less room than a traditional spinning wheel.

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for the comment! It certainly takes up zero floor space and is not as expensive as well. I have another video using an e-spinner which is also very apartment sized and fits in a tiny box if you want to level your game up as well! Happy spinning :)

[@patportran4683]

She never practiced a bit!!!! She may know about the process, but absolutely not how to do it herself!! Study other videos, even mine, on the correct procedure!

[@cornicekurt11111]

@@patportran4683 Why are you so bitter? God bless.

[@tutleymutley]

@@cornicekurt11111 I don't think @patprotran4683 is bitter, she's just stating facts - that @theothesammy is a beginner at spindling and uses a beginner's technique ('park and draft'). She gets results though - even though it is a single, it does the job of making serviceable garterstitch fabric.

[@tlyke]

Theo is sooo cute! You are very helpful and I hope that someday you get many subscribers 😉

[@theothesammy]

Awwww thanks. Lots of boops to you!

[@mikayla_collie]

aww i love this!! i use to senf my huskys fur to this lady on etsy once a month and she would make it all into yarn for me ^w^ i have wayyyyyy too many husky fur scarves and hats and mittens lol. i have at least 10,000 feet of yarn still to use over 8 years of collecting/spinning the fur, lol. my girl is a tri color, and the last 3 years, i started seperating the fur by 'color' so i could have specific shades of yarn to make borders and such... it was so fun. god... i miss those times T_T

[@theothesammy]

oh wow! So good!

[@MammaBear.]

Wow! That’s so labour intensive, but what an amazing way to have a great keepsake of your beloved friend. ❤

[@theothesammy]

It really is!

[@MissisChannel]

I have Standard Poodles and have bags of their fur when I groom them to use for various things..but WOW...spinning into yarn!!!! THIS IS GREAT! Adding to my craft playlist! VERY clever!

[@theothesammy]

Thanks for watching! Keep me posted on the progress!!!

[@MissisChannel]

@@theothesammy Absolutely! I plan to get a whorler and do the manual spinning saw your other video with the electric one but cant afford that right now. So have couple Poodles to groom soon and will put it with the rest....and when I do will do a video and shout your out!

[@theothesammy]

@@MissisChannel ya, I had the wooden spindle for a few years and it does the job! It's also great to learn the mechanics and play with the tension as well. Very useful if you want to splurge for the e-spinner in the future😃

[@patportran4683]

Yes, poodle fur can be spun, but I think I might blend in about 10% or more of wool.

[@cornicekurt11111]

@@patportran4683 Maybe you need to make your own videos and comment on those. Leave this person alone.