an excellent idea! is it odd that the ads were for rugs that perfectly fit my aesthetic, even though i haven’t searched rugs for like a year? i wonder if they told the ad algorithm to prioritize textiles for that article.
It's basically just a large square of carding cloth attached securely to a board, usually with rubber grippies and often with a rotatable keel underneath for different positionings on tables or in your lap, that you can blend fibers on. Most people roll off fiber into rolags, but I've also seen tutorials for hand-pulled roving and batts coming off them as well. They don't blend as thoroughly as hand carders or a drum carder, but you can get really cool "painting with fiber" type effects with them. Example videos below! Spoiler: simple gradient rolag Spoiler: pulling roving from a board I cut this video right to the roving pulling, but she talks a lot about this project earlier in the video Spoiler: landscape rolags! Spoiler: blending board + drop spindle tutorial Aaaand the batts video I wanted to show you had to go down for edits, but I can share it when it comes back up if people are interested! Basically, this seemed like the most versatile & accessible fiber blending tool for me per price point - I could have saved more money making my own, but decided I'd rather shell out for professional-quality securing of the carding cloth + fully functional keel. So I spent about twice what I would have on hand carders, but, like... a sixth of what I'd spend on a drum carder from what I understand? Edit to add - I found another mini batt tutorial I like better, actually! Spoiler: video
Spoiler: Cat brains! I messed up the pattern a bit but I only think it’s really noticeable on the misaligned bastard and I’m pretty proud of it overall.
It WAS gorgeous spun up, but I was too excited about the final goal project that I only got a quick snapshot of the last little curl of yarn as I finished the knitting. With 14g of rolags, I got about 16yd of DK-ish weight yarn, which was just enough to make an icord juuuust barely long enough for a Carrick Bend Mat! This was an incredibly satisfying small project, and I can't wait to do more! And to do bigger projects - I spent the past couple of evenings blending up a much larger volume of rolags from two of the fibers in this blend (the green polwarth and the camel/silk top I have), and I'll spin those probably into yarn for a scarf.
Spoiler: AUX DON'T LOOK suggestions on where to find cheap(ish, because I know it's unlikely) spinning wheels? and/or what a good starting spinning wheel would be/cost? we're looking into joining a spinners and weavers guild and would be able to rent from them but if it would be more cost effective to eventually pick up our own, it might not be a bad route to go...
Spoiler do you have a strong preference for a spinning wheel over an electric spinner? I'm pulling up some links for options now :) as I have spent a lot of time looking for decent inexpensive wheels
Spoiler: spoiler! ebay, craigslist, occasionally etsy! new spinning wheels are RIDICulously expensive, but there was an ashford i was eyeing on craigslist awhile back, 175+shipping (unfortunately, it is sold now, or i would link it). i've also heard going to flea markets is good, and i saw a spinning wheel at an antique place (200ish v 1200$ new). they've always been out of range for me, because i have a particular idea of what spinning wheel i want (pros of taking a class and having used some), and they're usually in the 200-500$ range
Spoiler: more "aux no" The wheel I'm saving for is a Spinolution Pollywog - it's very small, which is good for my tiny apartment and for my ability to wrangle it by myself, but some people struggle with the spin height. I'm also excited about Infinity Wheels finally being in production again! Finally, if an espinner is something you're interested in, the newest Electric Eel Wheel design is coming out this fall - the Electric Eel Wheel Nano, which is SUPER tiny and also super affordable, and I've heard very good things! Also like @idiomie said, buying used can absolutely get you a steal! I would super recommend only buying something where you can confirm, in person or with detailed photos, that it's not missing any parts you can't replace. There's a good video about used wheel shopping (esp antique wheels) here!
Spoiler: STILL AUX NO! Oooooh thank you thank you thank you!! we're gonna hit up an antique/flea market pretty soon @_@ I think we're looking for spinning wheel, partially because aux is v tactile? and it's a "keep busy" kind of thing so it's less about convenience and more about Do The Thing thank you so much @paladinkit @idiomie!!!!
Spoiler: continued if you're interested in making one check out the dodek! i'm working on making one right now, it's small and lightweight and can be made for well under $100 drop spindles might also be an option when getting started, and i have a whole host of recommendations for that if you're interested, a very good portable stim
Spoiler: MORE hmmm this might be good! problem is we're not great at non-fiber-making-things so it's hit or miss there aux........has one. and does not use it. at all. too much effort/too hard on her shoulders, also just Not As Fun according to her thank you for the offer, though!! (she's used it maybe three times since we bought it a few months ago)
GUESS WHO SCORED AT THE ANTIQUE MALL it's not an "antique" antique, it's an Ashford Traveler, probs a mk2! It is in remarkably good condition, and only needs easily findable & inexpensive replacement parts (drive band, brake band & springs, conrod/footman & joint), and it was $150!!!!!!!! I have a wheel!!!!! what the fuck!!!! this was not what I was expecting to happen!!!!!!!!!
