If you want total control over the fi ber content,
colors, and textures of your spinning fiber, you have
to prep your own. For that, you’ll need specialty
fiber tools. If you also want speed, convenience,
and repeatability—maybe you buy entire fleeces,
sell batts or rolags as a business, or own some fiber
critters—you’ll need bigger tools that can handle
large quantities.
While speed is relative in the world of fiber
prep, blending boards and drumcarders will do
their jobs more quickly than handcards or combs.
I processed my first small fleece with a dog
brush, and that experience made me long for a
drumcarder. Are you ready to scale up or expand
your blending options by adding a drumcarder or
blending board to your tool kit? Here are a few
questions to get you started.Does the drumcarder or blending board serve
the spinning I currently do or want to do?- Yes if you generally spin on the woolen side of
the spectrum. - Yes if you’re a mad batts-and-art-yarn spinner.
- Yes to the drumcarder if you want to process raw
fleeces, mix fibers, or blend colors. - Double yes to the drumcarder if you do any of
these things in quantity. - Yes to the blending board if you want to mix
fibers, blend colors, or make self-striping yarn. - Double yes to the blending board if you want to
make big rolags for long-draw spinning. - Maybe no if you love to spin consistent yarns on
the worsted side of the spectrum, say for knitting
cables or lace. Combs and hackles might be a
better investment for this work.
Are drumcarders and blending boards
interchangeable?
No, according to Crys Wallace of Wonderland
Fiber and the helpful staff of The Woolery.
Drumcarders open up fibers, allowing vegetable matter
to drop out; they make batts that combine fibers
throughout all layers. Carding cloth on a drumcarder
typically has sharp teeth set close together.
Blending boards require fibers that have already
been opened up; they make rolags with separate
layers of fibers. Many blending boards use a special
cloth from Howard Brush, which features longer
teeth set in a more open pattern and carefully
bent in a way that protects the blender’s hands.
Blending-board cloth can usually handle big add-
ins, such as feathers or scraps of fabric.Can I make this equipment myself?
Blending boards are quite simple, and there
are DIY plans and tutorials on the internet. It’s
the wood, styling, and cloth specs that make them
stand out. There’s more to carding cloth than teeth
per inch (TPI), and some makers use cloth that has
been manufactured specifically for blending boards.
Howard Brush Company also sells a DIY kit
that includes a blending cloth and other accessories.
If you’re a woodworker or know someone who can
make the wood backing and keel, you can make
your own. However, most blending boards cost less
than $250; you may find that the convenience of
getting one designed and ready-made by experts
outweighs the time and effort necessary to locate
materials and make the board.
Drumcarders are more complex to make
and require more materials. Again, you can find
plans and tutorials on the internet, but once you50 Spin Off • http://www.interweave.com
Blending Tool
Roundup Shopping Guide
By Deborah GerishPunisbyBuchanan^ Fiber^ Co.^Photos^ by^ MattGraves