Wool Combs for spinning my Dorset Fleece (but I'm doing it wrong)

I'm using Valkyrie fine wool combs for spinning my Dorset fleece, but I'm doing it wrong! I tried use my wool combs the correct way, but I was still left with messy wool full of vegetable matter. So, I played around with my Valkyrie wool combs and found an alternative method of combing that is actually working very well for this vegetable matter filled wool. This is the 3rd video in my Dorset Fleece to Socks series.
If you want a great tutorial about combing wool the right way, check out Susan's video here 👉 • Combing Wool the Right...
✨Paradise Fibers has their own brand of Wool Combs, equivalent to the Valkyries, that have great reviews! (Affiliate) bit.ly/37VtOGA
✨More Hackles and Wool Combs at the Woolery (Affiliate) bit.ly/3fRSx1n
Watch all the videos in this series!
▶ Skirting • Skirting A Sheep Fleec...
▶ Scouring • Scouring Wool Process ...
▶ Combing • Wool Combs for spinnin...
▶ Finishing • Spinning Sock Yarn fro...
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🎵 Music used in this video is "Ride of the Valkyries" by Wagner sourced from the KZbin Creator Studio Audio Library.
🎨 Photos and graphics used in my content are acquired through a paid subscription to Canva. I believe in supporting the artists who create great media and that includes pictures and graphics. Check out Canva here: www.canva.com
*I use some affiliate links. They will always be clearly marked and you are never obligated to use them. If you make a purchase through the affiliate link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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[@JillianEve]

I'll give away the punchline in case anyone doesn't know the name of the song. It's called "Ride of the Valkyries" by Wagner. Fun fact about me, I've played the cello part of this piece with a full orchestra 2 different times. Where do you recognize it from?

[@kristalburns3490]

Your joke made me very happy.

[@carolharper268]

JillianEve I’ve played it too in an orchestra when I was younger on my violin. Xx

[@noelleg3486]

As soon as I heard the intro I was confused and then that comb appeared 🤣🤣 that was fantasitc!!

[@woolywonders5546]

🤩 I love string instruments

[@cynthiaowens1639]

JillianEve That’s awesome!

[@TheGabygael]

you're probably the first person i've encountered who used the ride of the valkyries to evoque litteral valkyries; such genius, much wow!

[@sblaikie4149]

You are one of the most approachable from fiber creatives on KZbin. I always know things will be explained in a way that I will understand, and I feel well prepared to try it after I watch. That, and you are funny and adorable. So, thank you. For real. I appreciate it.

[@JillianEve]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad to help!!!! 💜

[@Marialla.]

This part looks like the most fun to me! I just love seeing the dirty nasty locks transform into a lovely cloud of fiber ready to spin!

[@thekestrelnest253]

I love watching Larkrise to Candleford when I'm spinning, or prepping...

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I know this video is years old, but as soon as I heard the piece of music, I KNEW what was coming next, thank you so much for that laugh!

[@CheapEngineerCrafts]

Love your Valkyries riding to Wagner!

[@spinnerfun7944]

Interesting about loading the locks opposite of how I’ve always seen it done, but you made a compelling argument for doing it that way. I will be trying that next time.

[@JillianEve]

Only if your tips are super dirty though. Otherwise butt end first is better! I was trying to do a video about my experiment comparing the two, but my SD card filled up and I didn't realize it wasn't recording. Sigh. I'll have to come back to it. Let me know what you think if you try the tips first!

[@melissacoleman8265]

The valkyries 😂 so hilarious

[@runtsgal]

Had me smiling with the Ride of the Valkyrie music. 😁

[@Sarah-KateH]

The music matching is hysterically epic 😆

[@NadiaLucassen]

The ride of the Valkyries cracked me up! 😂

[@ahmetkemalgurel5730]

0:50 lol I love your sense of humour

[@artypoodle1874]

Just started spinning on an antique spinning wheel and oh boy I'm having fun! And you helped me out so much! Thanks for all the great videos! ♥️

[@angryhistoryguy5657]

It seems to me that loading the comb tips first would be the right way, since we're always told to start at the ends when brushing hair.

[@anadesplas6704]

This was a great help! Completely changed my combing life! It's so much easier this way! Now I take half the time and half wool for the same amount of combed wool. Thank you so much 😃🥳

[@JillianEve]

Glad it helped!

[@cdanielshafer]

I have really been enjoying your videos! As an avid knitter and spinner, they have been very informative, and I love your cheerful comments! Keep up the great work :)

[@JillianEve]

Thank you so much! Happy spinning AND knitting!

[@leslieambailey]

Haha got the Wagner pun immediately! My college conducting prof/orchestra conductor had two big Dobermans named Wotan and Siegfried. I think loading dirty tips first is brilliant. …

[@pollogmoody5746]

Many ways to skin a cat although I never would but to get a clean product this is what I do. I brush each end with a dog brush then place the fiber neatly in the combs and comb a couple of times then diz into a nice nest.

[@chrisgorball3166]

Great video! I think everyone should prep a free dirty fleece at least one time. Makes you appreciate those with very, very low VM. I love my Valkyrie wool combs. I have the standard size and they sure do give my wrists a workout, but the handy dandy clamping holder does relieve some of the stress. As far as my binge watching favorites - the "Outlander" and "Call the Midwife" or just put on a good talking podcast or listen to an ebook. As always - Thanks for sharing.

[@JillianEve]

I completely agree about everyone working on a messy fleece at least once! I need to check out Call the Midwife!

[@melaniehellum1281]

I agree. It is very fun to process fleece. I do several a year . I love making bats and some times I sell them . I raise sheep . Shetland , downs Shetland cross. Blue faced Leicester and Shetland bfl . Mixing sheep breeds and spinning them. Love your videos

[@meganlambert110]

It's so poofy and lovely! I have a raw fleece to process, so I really appreciate this!

[@infamoussphere7228]

This was very interesting! I'm not a spinner and have never prepped a fleece before so I had no idea how it's done, but this goes through the whole process in a very approachable way!

[@catherine8770]

Brilliant!

[@susaneweinberg4411]

I thought of the same thing about using a needle gauge for a diz. Great idea!

[@ecpetty]

I looked down at your feet and saw the exact same pair of socks I knit last year for myself. Great taste in yarn! (And thanks for the education, of course! I am processing my first fleece, a 5lb Romney, that I got at a fiber festival, so I'm in research mode!)

[@ecpetty]

Question: At what point in the process would you card instead of comb? Or can you do both? I can see skipping the diz and carding the combed fiber, but is it necessary to comb at all if you're carding? The only advantage I could see to doing both would be for an extra dirty fleece that needs VM removed and locks opened up more before carding into batts -- but I love the little nests the diz creates too! Maybe I'll try both (nests and batts) and see what happens. With a five-pound fleece, I have my work cut out for me -- literally? 😅🤣

[@machteldsimpson6401]

Your videos are the best!! I just started spinning and for every question that bubbles up you have an answer in a video, amazing! And thank you! :))

[@thelogicalanswer937]

I learned so much from your videos thank you so much for posting and sharing all of your knowledge and information I am just learning so much.

[@bethkolle1]

‘Kill da wabbit, kill da wabbit!

[@dominiquemichaud7945]

This is awesome! There are so many things to learn from your videos! The Valkyries' intro was the best! ^_^

[@jenniferrich5292]

I love your podcasts!! I’m going to be processing my first fleece pretty soon, and I am going to try a flick carder.

[@JillianEve]

Have fun! Flick carders are great! ❤

[@juhudo]

you made my das - thank you and greetings from austria!

[@JillianEve]

I'm so glad! 😁 Happy spinning!

[@okaminess]

Awesome, thank you.

[@LaBelleFiche]

Brilliant about putting tips first!

[@helenedumoulin9092]

Gosh I like your videos! Sooo helpful! Lol

[@melissabrewer2712]

*everyone with curly hair* “ohhh I get this part*

[@dianeberry5865]

I would not have thought to do tips first. Thank you. I also use my needle gauge to diz. Yellowstone on Peacock app is a great show if you're into westerns.

[@JillianEve]

I'll check it out! I used to live in Wyoming so yes, I can do a good western! Thanks!

[@carolharper268]

My husband’s bought me some combs, so happy 💃. Thank you for sharing your a 💫 🌟 ⭐️

[@JillianEve]

Oh fun! What are you going to comb up first?

[@carolharper268]

@@JillianEve Alpaca or some poll Dorset 😀

[@jenthulhu]

Ha! I've been planning to use a needle-sizer as a diz myself! :D

[@tkartstudios]

I know this is 6 months ago, but I binge the great British baking show lol

[@moniqueturpin6776]

Super, j'ai 5 toisons à nettoyer et à préparer. Mon mari m'a fait les peignes et je suis heureuse de visionner votre technique plus rapide. Merci

[@JillianEve]

C'est tellement de laine. Amusez-vous à peigner et filer! 😊💜

[@melissabrewer2712]

Omg I love the drama

[@shayannah]

Ooh, ooh ooh, you could watch the jillianeve channel while combing! She’s interesting.

[@woolywonders5546]

Do a video on storing raw fleece and moth prevention, please?

[@JillianEve]

Good idea for a topic! In the meantime I can tell you that I use plastic tubs, moth traps, cedar blocks and lavendar. I also fluff and check my fiber every few months. It's a multi-layer defense system.

[@royburch681]

I am debating on whether to buy combs or not so a good informative video 👍🏼 thanxxx I have received 2 fluffy mule fleeces from a friends flock (one ram + one lamb) so it’s an expensive purchase if I discover doing the full works is not my bag ......and I kept looking at your socks too - very familiar - I’ve got a pair knitted from same yarn and stare at them regularly whilst knitting or crocheting!!! Lv Wendy

[@JillianEve]

The nice thing about fiber equipment is that it holds its value pretty well and there are a lot of FB groups selling used fiber equipment. Good way to purchase or to sell if you find it isn't for you. ❤🧶🧦

[@suethien78258]

Enjoying this series! Thanks for another fun and informative video. Did you pick up another fleece when you went to get eggs again?!

[@JillianEve]

Not yet! My husband wouldn't let me come with him last time! I wonder why... 🙄

[@michelewhite4662]

Thanks so much for this video! You provide so much info and love your sense of humor. You may have already addressed it, but what about hackles. Not sure if they provide the same type of outcome, especially for vm? I have a drum carder but that is not going to work for vm on locks I have.....

[@JillianEve]

Yep, hackles are sort of like a big long comb. 💜🧶

[@beverleylawton6899]

Thanks for another great video. Love the tip (pardon the pun) about loading the combs - I am going to try this on my Suffolk I am prepping...my husband made my combs and of course the problem with prototypes is things happen! Atm the nails keep dropping out😂😂so I am envious of your sturdy combs!!! Loving combing though...

[@JillianEve]

My husband has made me lots of equipment too! Sometimes it works and sometimes we learn why things have been done a certain way for hundreds of years! 😂

[@beverleylawton6899]

JillianEve Haha ... I know I’m lucky 😊...but at the same time I’m scared to mention I’d like something in case ...I’ve been eyeing up beautiful drop spindles but am NOT letting on!😂😂😂

[@christinecardimen544]

Thank you very helpful! When I see the braided wool in longer strips how do they attach all the little strips like you made into longer ones for spinning, or is it not necessary for spinning? Tx!!!

[@tracyirwin9578]

OMG Evie, you are such a dork lol. I loved the flying combs and music, it made me laugh! Your combs are so pristine. Do you prefer using a single row of tines or double? When I binge watch a show I like it to be light and funny so I don't have to pay too much attention and it has to be more than one or two seasons otherwise it ends before my project is done and I spend hours looking for another show and not getting anything done. I can't remember if you are planning to dye the wool for your socks or not. I hope you do.

[@JillianEve]

Hehe! Yes, I am! I like the double row for a general works for *most* fibers tool. I need a set of single pitch for blending because I can't do that as well with mine though.

[@carolharper268]

I’ve been ill and I lost my Mum recently so I’ve binge watched the Good Witch. Light entertainment and not to heavy. I’ve got a polled Dorset to prepare not sure whether to card or comb. X

[@JillianEve]

Carol I'm so sorry to hear! I hope that your heart will find comfort. Grief is so hard. ❤ Hmm polled Dorset would be like what I'm working on. How long is the staple? That's what I usually use to determine what I want to do with it.

[@carolharper268]

JillianEve Hi Eve, my Dorset is in my she cabin at the moment and I’ll let you know when I go in there. Also, have you done a video on lace spinning please, I looked but couldn’t find one. Xx

[@rebeccadees2300]

Which end do you start spinning?

[@scottcrable4966]

How are you scouring the fleece to maintain lock structure?

[@morreejones6890]

I noticed the pattern in your socks are in opposite directions. Out of curiosity, did you start from opposite ends of the yarn for each sock or is it a cuff-down vs toe-up pair?

[@jaclyn4098]

Hmm. I always did half of the wool facing one way, and the other half facing the other way, and tried to blend them together on the combs. So it doesnt matter if they're all going the same way? The cur cut side and the tips?

[@JillianEve]

I think if you like how it turns out, it's perfect! Try different ways and see what you like!

[@claudiawood5636]

Can you rewash the fleece after combing? I have a gorgeous fleece, and 90% of it is lovely and white after washing, but the very tips are still stuck together with dag and vm. Just wondering how I approach this as a newbie.

[@JillianEve]

Gently, yes. You may need to re comb or card it. You can also spin it as it is and wash the yarn.

[@sharecreations6752]

Hey JillianEve, I just started learning spinning last summer and use fiber from our own sheepies🐑 I used a carding-machine of a friend, but I didn't like the endresult, because it was still too durty. I wondered if hand-carding would help to get the durt out. But after watching your this video, I doubted. What's the differents with carding and coning? What will help the most for getting the dirt out? And do you wash all of the fleece before coning, after sampling? Because I was taught to leave the linoleum in the fiber and wash after spinning. Thank you so much for your videos, love them. Big thumps up from me👍 SharE

[@JillianEve]

Excited for you wooly adventure! I would suggest combs rather than carding to get vegetable matter like hay out of the wool. I usually clean all my wool before spinning it. If I may reccomend a book, my friend Mary wrote this one and it's my go to for wool scouring information (affiliate) amzn.to/30oHyr1

[@sharecreations6752]

@@JillianEve Thank you so much for your recommendations! I put the book on my wish-list💕 do you have, by any chance, an affiliated link for amazon.de? I would love to help you out!

[@JillianEve]

@@sharecreations6752 its only the link I shared that I have an affiliate partnership with. Thanks so much for asking!

[@dhurd4099]

Just my two cents. I’m still learning after 40 years of this! I’ve found that lanolin holds the dirt and VM and the sooner I can get it out the easier the process goes. I first open the tips and locks then do a hot soak that takes out ~90% of the lanolin and dirt. I thought doing a hot water soak first was crazy...until I tried it. 😃After washing and drying I open the locks again and the VM falls out. My system is not for everyone because I put in a huge amount of time picking (picking and washing outdoors only) but it does save on soap and when it comes time to comb or card (indoors) I can fly through unimpeded with a nearly pristine fleece. When one hates house and equipment cleaning one finds ways around it. 😂

[@sharecreations6752]

@@dhurd4099 thanks for your tip!☺ maybe I try it for my next fleece, it sounds really helpfull!

[@janereinard4762]

Try episodes of Doc Martin!

[@iaraterezinha1161]

Como é o nome desse pente ai sou do rio grande do sul de uruguaiana

[@muhmadghayas5806]

Can u willow the Shetland fleece so we can see

[@JillianEve]

I don't think willowing would work for the Shetland I have, but I'll see what I can do for my next woolen project. Thanks for the video idea! Happy spinning! 🧶❤

[@helenedumoulin9092]

Hi! I bought a fleece this morning (dorset) it is so dirty and I can

[@JillianEve]

I find that if I just keep combing and combing, eventually I will get vm free wool. Did you scour it already?

[@helenedumoulin9092]

@@JillianEve yes I scoured it a few times and I haven’t combed yet... I am still scouring the rest of the fleece ... patience will tell ... I just hope all my work will not go into garbage lol

[@cynthiastandley5742]

I'm just curious, what is the advantage of using the diz? It looks like it's drafting, so why not just do that?

[@JillianEve]

It makes it easier to control the draft against the combs for more consistency.

[@cynthiastandley5742]

@@JillianEve Thanks!

[@kittylevee4662]

Stargate SG-1, The X Files, Harry Potter, Burn Notice, the original Magnum PI, Hercules with Kevin Sorbo the TV show Hughlander. Outlander, My Lottery Dream Home. Is that enough🤣 ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@markschwartz5614]

I am in awe of you extensive and professional sci-fi experience. Do not forget Stargate Atlantis and MacGyver! What about Xena?

[@JillianEve]

I have seen all of those except My Lottery Dream Home! I'm a big nerd, can you tell? 🤓

[@kittylevee4662]

@@markschwartz5614 those too‼ And remember Legend😍

[@kittylevee4662]

@@JillianEve also the original Man From U.N.C.L.E.

[@tracyirwin9578]

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel!

[@muhmadghayas5806]

Why don't you willow the wool ??

[@JillianEve]

This is a great question! Willowing the wool is a good way to get the vegetable matter out of the locks, but the process destroys the lock structure. Keeping the locks together is important for worsted spinning which is what I'm doing here. Willowing is a good technique to use before carding the wool, but not before combing the wool. I hope that helps answer your question! Happy spinning!

[@sharonwaddell2548]

Do you love the smell of sheep in the morning?

[@JillianEve]

Why yes I do! Lol!

[@sharonwaddell2548]

JillianEve oh good, I’m older than you, and I hoped you would get the movie reference

[@Marialla.]

@@sharonwaddell2548 AHahahahahahha! Yes, I'm surprised nobody else mentioned Apocalypse Now.