Spin-Off – September 2019

Fall 2019 • Spin Off 61

Carding the Batt

1 

I began by creating a layered batt. I fed each of the

three accent colors one by one onto the full width

of the drum. I used about a quarter ounce of each color

beginning with a layer of white, followed by a layer of

yellow, and then blue. I removed this three-color layered

batt and split it lengthwise into two pieces to create two

separate, identical rovings.

2 

Looking at the cross-section of each piece, I can

see each layer of color that I fed into the carder.

With the half-batt laid to view this cross-section, I

lightly pulled the fiber until the three colors were spread

out about the width of my drumcarder. Because of the

orientation of the batt as I spread it out, the colors were

parallel to one another with a subtle blend between

them. Each half-batt with blended stripes weighed

around 0.4 ounce. I put one half-batt aside and kept one

for my next step.

shift between the colors, producing the marled effect

I wanted. The diz method also allowed me to visually

assess how the accent colors would swirl with the base

color before I even got to the spinning wheel.

When pulling roving from the carder, it is important

to begin with a small amount of fiber on the drum.

If you begin with too much fiber, you run the risk of

packing it too tightly. If your base color is sticking in the

carder, it will be difficult to pull equal amounts of each

color into the diz for a balanced two-color marl.

For my fibers, I selected a base of blended natural

brown Corriedale/Ouessant from R. H. Lindsay

Company to accompany combed tops of various

breeds in equal parts natural white, mustard yellow,

and cornflower blue. I am most known for my textural

blending techniques, but I like to keep things smooth

when I am focusing on color effects. I don’t want to

distract or detract from the detail of the finished cloth

by muddying the work with flecks and threads.

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What Is a Diz? ted

“Traditionally a disk or curved plate made of horn, bone, or

occasionally metal; has a central slot or hole; and is for the

purpose of condensing and controlling fi bers during the draw-

ing-off step of combing. Dizzes are used in wool-combing,

rough combing, and carding, as well as in reprocessing of

other fi ber forms, not necessarily wool. Essentially, it is a

pre-drafter and sliver-forming aid.”

—Alden Amos,

The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning (Interweave, 2001)

The hole the fi ber is drawn through determines the size of sliver or

combed top you wish to create, so it’s helpful to have several holes.

1

The second of three layers going

onto the drum.

Emily removed the batt, split it into two strips lengthwise, and put one aside.

2