Combing Fibers
Led by C.J. Creamer
C.J. will present excepts from video by Robin Russo, on Combing Fibers. If anyone has a set of combs or hackles to help with the demo, please bring them. We will be at North West Rec Center at 7:00.
Here are some details from the video’s website
Wool combing is a little alarming to the novice – swinging heavy implements with long, needle-sharp teeth can be hazardous. Yet this method of preparation produces the most wonderfully organized, fluffy, silky fiber imaginable. In this workshop, Robin Russo covers the basics and much, much more.
You’ll see a wide range of tools in action, from simple pet combs to hand-held Viking combs, to Russian paddle combs, to classic English combs.
You’ll learn that combing is perfect for cleaning out guard hairs and debris, for blending fibers of similar length, and for true worsted spinning.
You’ll see how different combs are appropriate for different fibers, and how to choose the kind that’s best for you.
You’ll learn important guidelines for safety and for equipment care and maintenance.
And you’ll hear intriguing stories of wool combing in history, from martyred saints to craftsmen’s guilds.
Robin Russo lives in Bradford, Vermont, where she teaches spinning, dyeing, working with exotic fibers, and felting. She has taught at numerous gatherings of spinners, weavers, knitters and historical societies since 1989. She has been a fiber enthusiast for more than forty years and takes every opportunity to explore its potential.