tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2953961675519441472024-02-18T22:27:30.818-05:00BLUE MOUNTAIN HANDCRAFTSbluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-15960142781030431092013-01-14T11:50:00.000-05:002013-01-14T11:50:54.947-05:00BMH Website<b>As I'm sure you've noticed I have virtually no time to post to the blog. Everything can be found on our website so stop over and book mark us!</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/">Blue Mountain Handcrafts</a>....home page for shop updates</span></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://bluemtn.fatcow.com/store/page74.html">The Shop</a>......all of our items for sale </b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/newsletter.html">Newsletter</a>...posted monthly for shop news, new products, events & drawings, price changes, etc.</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/customer-rewards-points.html">Rewards Points</a>......all customers now receive Rewards Points to be saved for discounts on future orders</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/tutorials.html">Tutorials</a>......written tutorials for using wool combs & hackles and various other items</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/-videos.html">Videos</a>.......demonstrations on how to use wool combs & hackles as well as innovative ways to use your tools</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/ravelryface-book.html">Ravelry/FaceBook</a>......events and drawings that are BMH Rav & Face Book group specific</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-92014528570985601532012-07-09T10:57:00.002-04:002012-07-09T10:57:57.558-04:00Separating a Double Coated Wool Fleece video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These are the technique I use to separate the two coats in a double coated fleece...one using our wool hand combs and the other using our wool comb and hackle set. </div>
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<br />bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-19736733080961823742012-07-03T15:41:00.001-04:002012-07-03T15:41:10.951-04:002 Pitch Wool Comb & Hackle: combing and blending short and long fibers t...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RPyRM372LOE?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-35901353829484198482012-07-01T12:55:00.003-04:002012-07-01T12:57:54.391-04:00Wool Comb and Hackle Set DrawingWow! Has it really been a month since I last posted??? This summer is flying by! Anyway, there are several new tutorials which I have not had a chance to post here but they can be found on the Tutorial page of our website.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">July 1 thru August 3 </span></b>BMH is having a <b><span style="color: #990000;">Wool Comb and Hackle Set drawing</span><span style="color: #e06666;">!! Yep, you could win a 4 Pitch Comb and Hackle set with Hybrid comb made in oak and mahogany.</span></b> See our July Newsletter for details on all the prizes (we have 5 prizes we're giving away) and the drawing.<br />
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There have been several updates in the shop since I last posted here and we are now carrying Lap Aprons to use when spinning or using wool hand combs. Also I have lots of new smooth hand pulled rovings in the shop that are lots of fun to spin!!<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/">Blue Mountain Handcrafts website</a></b><br />
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<br />bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-50956100958947447222012-05-30T16:40:00.000-04:002012-05-30T16:40:40.873-04:00Signs of Fiber Addiction Canvas Totes!<b>The<a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/"> BMH </a>Signs of Fiber Addiction Canvas Totes are now available on our website only!!! You can find the totes on our <a href="http://bluemtn.fatcow.com/store/page5.html">Project Bags Page </a>of the shop.</b><br />
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<br />bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-55903398082445897062012-05-01T09:29:00.000-04:002012-05-01T09:29:35.088-04:00May News!Wow! May already.........where does the time go??<br />
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<b>The BMH <a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/5/post/2012/05/may-2012-newsletter.html">May 2012 Newsletter</a> is posted on the website so check it out when you get a chance! I hidden 6 new Goofy Benefits coupons in the shop too. Don't forget, each coupon is only good for ONE use by a single person so grab one before they're gone!</b><br />
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<b>I'm hoping to have the Hand Combs Tutorial posted this week so stay tuned for that and if you haven't checked out our new video showing the <a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/art-roving-hackle.html">Ellis Technique</a> in action and want to learn how to diz off large quantities of roving from your hackle it's worth a look.</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jWgq4FCHVXQ/T5_kNLg1X-I/AAAAAAAABos/9V6qoShvE8Y/s1600/shopupdate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jWgq4FCHVXQ/T5_kNLg1X-I/AAAAAAAABos/9V6qoShvE8Y/s320/shopupdate.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>More bags and hand combed top just listed in the shop along with a super cute Art Roving Hackle cover. </b><br />
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<b>And last but not least, the Fiber Indie eXperience May Prize Box Drawing has started! This month we're giving away 3 prize boxes with a total value of $417!!! Any orders placed with Blue Mountain Handcrafts or any participating shop is eligible for an entry in to the drawing in our<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/fiber-indie-experience-co-op"> Ravelry</a> group.</b><br />
<b>Check out the prizes this month!!</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-63088814614206209242012-04-14T18:28:00.000-04:002012-04-14T18:28:29.114-04:00New Art Roving Hackle Video posted!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Ellis Technique--dizzing large quantities of fiber off of the Art Roving Hackle</div>
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<br />bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-36388063169073777022012-04-13T14:39:00.000-04:002012-04-13T14:39:15.539-04:002 Pitch Comb & Hackle Set Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, I know I said I wasn't going to post another tutorial until May but Eric had to go and create a new tool set and totally screw up my schedule. I think he did it on purpose, he's rascally that way you know ;)
So, we'll be combing with the 2 Pitch Comb and Hackle set in this tutorial. For specs on the 2 Pitch set please see the listing in the shop. For the most part, it is exactly like combing with the 4 Pitch Comb and Hackle set so I won't be going over a lot of the Basics or techniques........please refer to the previous tutorials on the Comb and Hackle sets for this information.
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The 2 Pitch sets do not have recessed clamp areas. Your hackle should be clamped to the edge of a good sturdy heavy table as shown. Remember, if you can't hold on to the hackle and pull the table the hackle probably isn't clamped tight enough. Having the hackle come off the table while combing is not fun........don't ask how I know this!
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The 2 Pitch Comb and Hackle set is well suited for shorter fibers (3 1/2" and shorter) BUT will comb longer fibers as well. Due to there being only 2 rows of tines, you may have to make an extra pass or two to remove all of your vegetable matter if is there quite a bit of it. For this tutorial I decided to comb a cormo lamb fleece with a 3" staple and some lovely Pygora fleece with a crazy long staple of 7+ inches when stretched out.
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We load the 2 pitch hackle the same way we do the 4 pitch. I'm treating the pygora much like I would alpaca and loading a little less (volume wise) on the hackle than I would if I were combing wool since it's not "springy and poofy". Fibers that are not "poofy" are easy to overload on the hackle in which case you get more waste than is necessary so it's best to not load as much. Again, we comb from side to side and reload just like we do with the 4 pitch set.
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With the cormo lamb's fleece I pack the hackle about half way when gently pressed down, fluff it up and comb. I forgot to mention in the other Comb and Hackle tutorials that with the finer wools (merino, cormo, rambouillet, etc) you can get nepps.......little pills or balls of wool.......when combing. To minimize this, or eliminate them all together in some cases, do the initial combing off the hackle first. After you have all the wool on your comb lightly mist it with water before loading it back on to your hackle. You will probably have to do this a few times as you are reloading the hackle. You do not want the wool wet just barely damp. Our tools have stainless steel tines and will not rust so it is not necessary to add anything to the water. The static electricity created from the metal of the tines and the action of combing causes the fine wools to "spring back" toward the tines causing nepps. I have no problem with nepps when I keep the fiber lightly misted and it dries quickly after dizzing.
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Dizzing off the 2 Pitch hackle is the same as dizzing off the 4 pitch, start in the bottom right hand corner and work your way across and up. Remember dizzing does take practice and some fibers are easier to diz than other so don't get discouraged!
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<a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/7835847.jpg?335" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/7835847.jpg?335" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/4852174.jpg?335" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/4852174.jpg?335" width="320" /></a>With both the Pygora and the Cormo lamb fleece I loaded 1 oz onto the 2 Pitch hackle. The pygora had almost no vegetable matter but did have a few matted places due to me not being able to keep my hands off it when I was washing it, it's lovely stuff! The Cormo had some vegetable matter as the lambs weren't covered. Both fibers were clean and beautiful after 2 passes (combed off the hackle and reloaded=1 pass) and each had exactly .02 oz of waste and .08 oz of spinnable gorgeous fiber.bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-40363195082717988772012-03-21T11:02:00.000-04:002012-03-21T11:02:35.135-04:00Comb and Hackle Set Part 3: Blending<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HBkUIrK1k0M/T2nsvy2-2KI/AAAAAAAABlE/MxQ8Bjs1PcU/s1600/tutorialfiber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HBkUIrK1k0M/T2nsvy2-2KI/AAAAAAAABlE/MxQ8Bjs1PcU/s200/tutorialfiber.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">In the final tutorial for the Comb and Hackle set we are going to blend various fibers....fleece, locks, and "add ins". I have chosen some gorgeous cormo lambs fleece, kid mohair locks, firestar, crystal metallic, bamboo, and silk in spring colors. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPoqybEw2Cg/T2ns3VNsDTI/AAAAAAAABlM/BKZsXleajZ4/s1600/tutorial2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPoqybEw2Cg/T2ns3VNsDTI/AAAAAAAABlM/BKZsXleajZ4/s200/tutorial2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">The cormo lambs fleece and the kid mohair locks each have a little vegetable matter in them so to begin I'm loading some of each onto the hackle so it's just a tad less than full to save room for the add ins we'll be adding later. I combed the cormo and kid mohair out twice (2 passes) to remove all of the VM. The more you comb the fibers the more blended they will become.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGCyRIQVHt4/T2ntHaDsUOI/AAAAAAAABlU/IldIl3Cqvqo/s1600/layerscollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGCyRIQVHt4/T2ntHaDsUOI/AAAAAAAABlU/IldIl3Cqvqo/s200/layerscollage.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">When reloading the hackle for the last step of the second pass I only loaded a small amount from the comb and then added one of my "add in" fibers. I continued this layering process until all of the wool had been transferred from the comb back to the hackle.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sB0JNURvVTc/T2ntQE8KZTI/AAAAAAAABlc/g6BhcyyiMHo/s1600/layers+collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sB0JNURvVTc/T2ntQE8KZTI/AAAAAAAABlc/g6BhcyyiMHo/s200/layers+collage2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">After all of the fiber was transferred and my layers in place I combed the fiber out one more time blending all of the add ins with the blended cormo and kid mohair and transferred it back to the hackle. One could continue to comb and blend until the fiber was all one color. I preferred the subtle hints of pastel against the white and so only combed once to blend in the colored add ins just a little. After blending simply diz off as instructed in our previous tutorials. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">There are almost countless ways to blend fibers on the comb and hackle set depending on what type of preparation for spinning you want. I do suggest combing any fiber that contains VM separately to remove the VM before adding other fibers as I did above. If your fleece/locks have no VM go ahead and load your add ins with the fleece and blend it. If you'd like streaks of a definite color running through the fiber you could layer and load your hackle and then diz skipping the pass that blends the colors. Play with with, be creative, and have fun!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7IGZQXf9hQ/T2ntYcC6yeI/AAAAAAAABlk/pOjqRmLrUhg/s1600/tutorial11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7IGZQXf9hQ/T2ntYcC6yeI/AAAAAAAABlk/pOjqRmLrUhg/s320/tutorial11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Yarn spun from top combed and blended in this tutorial and plyed with cormo.</strong>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-85475330024277047822012-03-04T12:08:00.000-05:002012-03-04T12:08:46.896-05:00Wool Comb and Hackle Set Part 2: A Comb for Every Fleece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-YhMShPoIs/T1OgUlITRbI/AAAAAAAABkU/hr7Ug3VZtVk/s1600/combs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-YhMShPoIs/T1OgUlITRbI/AAAAAAAABkU/hr7Ug3VZtVk/s320/combs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">The comb and hackle set was made for those who process their own fleeces and want to comb larger quantities at one time....what I call "production combing". The combs were designed to be held with two hands when combing to make it more comfortable to comb for a longer period of time. The handles, which are all of one piece of wood, are designed and shaped not just for comfort but for maximum control, much like a good hammer, so that even without looking the comber can tell which way the head of the comb is facing. This also makes it possible to flip the comb when reloading the hackle without looking at it so you don't lose your rhythm.</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">As Eric has told me many times it's the stationary hackle that really does most of the work when combing. However, one must take into account what type of fleece is being combed, staple length, condition of the fleece such as amount of vegetable matter, any matting of the fibers, etc , the amount of fleece you intend to comb in one session, and any physical limitations the comber may have. The answers to these questions will help you decide which comb is best for your purpose. <span style="color: black;">I would like to say that all of the combs will comb ALL types of fiber equally well.</span> The difference between combs comes in when you ask how many passes do you want to make to get your fiber spinnable and do you, as the comber, have any issues with your hands or wrists that could be aggravated by combing?? </strong> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5EcrUIFwvc/T1OgVinYzUI/AAAAAAAABkc/ipaIhQ8WKew/s1600/fleececollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5EcrUIFwvc/T1OgVinYzUI/AAAAAAAABkc/ipaIhQ8WKew/s320/fleececollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #303030; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 0px; position: relative; text-align: justify; z-index: 10;"><div style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: -10px; text-align: center;">ROMNEY/BFL--is slightly matted with dry ends and is of medium fineness LLAMA--very little VM but what is there are larger pieces, lots of short cuts, fine to medium fine softness ALPACA--short cuts, fair amount of vegetable matter of all shapes and sizes, very fine and soft MERINO--very small chaff like VM, shortcuts and nepps, fine in softness</div></span><div class="paragraph editable-text" style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><strong>I chose 4 different types of fleece to get a variety of of staple lengths, vegetable matter content and type, fineness, and "fleece conditions". I combed a hackle full of each fleece with each type of comb and recorded how many passes it took to remove vegetable matter and second cuts to make a nice smooth spinning fiber.</strong> <strong> All of my fleece has been scoured/washed.........I NEVER put raw fleece on my combs and hackles.</strong></div><hr style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify; visibility: hidden; width: 355px;" /><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000066; font-size: x-small;">Note:</span><span style="color: #6600cc; font-size: x-small;"> 1 Pass = combing off the hackle and reloading back onto the hackle one time.</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-small;">When loading Alpaca only load the hackle 1/3 full when pressed down gently. Wool tends to be springy and puffy where as alpaca is not, therefore if you load the hackle with as much alpaca as you would wool you will have to much on the hackle and will have a hard time combing as well as an excessive amount of waste no matter which comb you use.</span><br />
<span style="color: #003300; font-size: x-small;">The type and state of the fiber you are combing will significantly effect how many passes it will take any comb to produce clean fiber.</span></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000099;">4 Pitch Heavy Comb</span></h2><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4okWvHc0Hu0/T1OgWdZuDRI/AAAAAAAABkk/OHqnyc-rMsc/s1600/heavy+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4okWvHc0Hu0/T1OgWdZuDRI/AAAAAAAABkk/OHqnyc-rMsc/s320/heavy+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">4 pitch HEAVY comb has 50 tines 1/8" dia., 5" tall in rows 1 & 2, 4" tall in rows 3 & 4, placed 1/4" on center spacing, length end to end approx. 11 1/2" .</strong><br />
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<strong style="color: #303030;"><span style="color: #000099;">The Heavy comb was able to comb all 4 fibers clean and spinnable with one pass removing all VM and second/short cuts. </span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong>I like being able to comb fiber clean in one pass, it's almost instant gratification. Unfortunately, me being a fun sized person, I cannot comb with the Heavy comb very long due to it's weight (20-21 oz). It is a must if you have matted for felted fleece. In one of our earlier videos Eric actually combs out cria alpaca that felted some when it was washed into a gorgeous spinning fiber. I also prefer this comb when combing alpaca and other fine non wool fibers. One of my favorite things about this comb is I find it almost impossible to bend the tines and believe me if they can be bent I'll find a way to do it.</strong></span></div><hr style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify; visibility: hidden; width: 355px;" /><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000099;">4 Pitch Hybrid Comb</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrU3HijvvZ4/T1OgW0ntFGI/AAAAAAAABks/lsrs1_kOovA/s1600/hybrid+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrU3HijvvZ4/T1OgW0ntFGI/AAAAAAAABks/lsrs1_kOovA/s320/hybrid+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">4 pitch HYBRID comb has 12 tines 1/8" 1st Row; 5" tall and 13 tines 3 3/32" 2nd row 5" tall; 25 tines 3/32" rows 3 & 4 4" tall placed 1/4" on center spacing, length end to end approx. 11 1/2" </span></strong><br />
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<strong style="color: #303030;"><span style="color: #000099;">The results for combing with the Hybrid were: the Llama and Romney/BFL required 1 pass, the Merino and Alpaca required 2 passes. </span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><strong>This is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE COMB!!! I use it for most everything. I've combed everything with the Hybrid from super fine Cormo to coarseish Border Leichester with an 7" staple. There are many reasons I love this comb; it is light enough I can comb for hours if I want but heavy enough to add a little "umph" when I'm combing off the hackle, the front two rows of tines are the large 1/8" so I rarely have to stop and bend tines back into place because these don't bend easily,and it's the "middle of the road comb" as far as passes needed without all the weight of the Heavy comb. It's my "happy medium" comb:)</strong></span></div><hr style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify; visibility: hidden; width: 355px;" /><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000099;">4 Pitch Light Comb</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Own8i-x0pbU/T1OgXWiqU5I/AAAAAAAABk0/9fqCql7MYIw/s1600/light+comb+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Own8i-x0pbU/T1OgXWiqU5I/AAAAAAAABk0/9fqCql7MYIw/s320/light+comb+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="paragraph editable-text" style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; text-align: -webkit-auto;">4 pitch LIGHT comb has 50 tines 3/32" dia., 5" tall rows 1 & 2; 4" tall rows 3 & ; placed 1/4" on center spacing, length end to end approx. 11 1/2"</span> </span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #000099; font-size: x-small;">The results for combing with the Light comb were: Llama required 1 pass, Romney/BFL required 2 passes, and the Merino and Alpaca required 3 passes to remove VM and second/short cuts.</span></strong><br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">This is Eric's favorite comb. I think it's because he designed the Light comb first so it has a special place in his heart;) The Light comb is perfect for combing out nice clean fleeces that have very little to no vegetable matter and few second cuts. Due to it's light weight, you can comb for a very long time with no discomfort. This is also the comb I recommend to anyone who has problems with arthritis, carpal tunnel or any sort of hand or wrist issues that the weight of the comb could cause a problem physically. The tines do bend easier as they are the 3/32" versus the large 1/8" but they are easily bent back into place.</span></strong></div><hr style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify; visibility: hidden; width: 355px;" /><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000099;">2 Pitch Comb</span></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hhZqaaq6XeY/T1OgT-Tb0LI/AAAAAAAABkM/RHsKVg-kLJc/s1600/2+pitch+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hhZqaaq6XeY/T1OgT-Tb0LI/AAAAAAAABkM/RHsKVg-kLJc/s320/2+pitch+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">The 2 pitch large comb has 27 tines 1/8" diameter, 1/4" on center spacing, 5" tines, 2 rows, length end to end approx. 11 1/2" </span></strong><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"></strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000099;">The results of combing with the 2 Pitch large comb were: Llama and Romney/BFL required 1 pass and the Merino and Alpaca required 2 passes to remove all VM and short/second cuts.</span></strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"></strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">As you can see the 2 Pitch comb had similar combing results as the Hybrid due to having the large 1/8" tines but with the weight of the Light comb. The 2 Pitch can handle longer staple lengths but is very good for short ones (3 1/2" and less) since the pitch of the tines isn't "swallowing" up the staple of your fleece and leaving nothing to comb as the 4 pitch would do if you were working with 3" or shorter. This comb is also good for dealing with matted/felted fleece and for those with wrist/hand problems in which weight is an issue. The 2 Pitch comb is sort of the "little sister" to the Heavy Comb and will do pretty much the same thing with the added bonus of being able to deal with shorter staple lengths and not weighting as much BUT you will not be able to load as much on the hackle since the 2 Pitch comb cannot hold as much fiber as the 4 pitch combs which can hold as much as the hackle. In short, the only drawback is you can't comb as much fiber at one time as you can with the 4 pitch.</span></strong><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_l-wilLDAp0/T1OgYD5YoVI/AAAAAAAABk8/wos0X8sq-D0/s1600/tonalviolet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_l-wilLDAp0/T1OgYD5YoVI/AAAAAAAABk8/wos0X8sq-D0/s320/tonalviolet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">llama and alpaca combed in this tutorial, spun and plyed together and dyed purple</span>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-73766576401282664852012-02-18T10:20:00.002-05:002012-02-18T10:20:54.282-05:00One Day Only Sale!!!<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/">Blue Mountain Handcrafts</a> one day only sale (Feb 18th) use coupon code <span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">BDAY</span> and get 25% off batts, combed top, roving, and hand spun yarn! Excludes clearance items.</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bsBtXMJdRKE/Tz_BcRmSAuI/AAAAAAAABjg/lV6oY63ukXA/s1600/feb18thsalebanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="47" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bsBtXMJdRKE/Tz_BcRmSAuI/AAAAAAAABjg/lV6oY63ukXA/s400/feb18thsalebanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-72134371597776437282012-02-12T14:58:00.000-05:002012-02-12T14:58:02.629-05:00Wool Comb and Hackle Tutorial Part 1: The Basics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/5812687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/5812687.jpg" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">And so we begin the tutorials for the comb and hackle set. This first one will cover the basics (set up, loading, combing, dizzing) and some information on the stationary hackle. In future Comb and Hackle tutorials I will go more in depth with each of the combs as well as the various things you can do with the comb and hackle set other than the obvious combing of fleece to remove VM, nepps, second cuts, and other undesirables in your fleece.</span> <br />
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<h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Few Words About the Comb & Hackle Set</span></h2><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Eric's design of the Comb and Hackle sets is unique. After many prototypes and much testing he came up with a design that is efficient in combing, has minimal "catching of the tines", is extremely sturdy and functional, not to mention beautiful. The tines are set in the wooden base in such a way that they will not twist or come out even if you use plyers.....we tried. They will bend, that's just the nature of the beast but they are easily bent back into place with the tine straightener. The tips on all of our tines are slightly blunted for safety and we've found the slightly blunted tips work just as well as the needle sharp tips found on other manufacturer's tools. The tines can still poke and scrape so the tools should be respected and used with safety in mind and covered when not in use. If my children at 10 years old could comb successfully with no injury any adult should be able to do it with no problem. For specific specs on the combs and hackles please see our </span><a href="http://bluemtn.fatcow.com/store/page4.html" style="background-color: white; color: #286ea0; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="">Combs and Hackles</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> shop page and the individual tool listings and for a bit more background on the design of the tools and their creation please see our </span><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/wool-combs--hackle-info.html" style="background-color: white; color: #286ea0; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" title="">Combs and Hackles Info</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> page.</span> </div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Get Your Stuff Together</span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/8351360.jpg?325" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/8351360.jpg?325" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">When I comb I prefer to get everything I will need ready so it is handy and I don't have to search all over the house for it and interrupt my combing. I choose which comb I will use according to the fleece I will be combing, this time I'm combing washed/scoured Rambouillet fleece with some VM and have chosen my favorite comb, the Hybrid. I would highly recommend only combing washed fleece....trying to get the lanolin off of the tines before you could comb clean fleece would not be fun. I have my tine straightener handy just in case I bend tines on my comb, my diz, a wrench for getting the clamps tight, and a spray bottle of water for static. If you find when combing your wool does have static, lightly mist it and the tines.......don't worry, the tines will not rust, they're stainless steel. Now we're ready to set up!</span> </div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Setting Up The Hackle</span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/6464990.jpg?325" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/6464990.jpg?325" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">The optimum "hackle height" to make combing more comfortable will vary with each person. Basically, your stationary hackle should be at approx. the same height as your arm when your elbow is bent at a 90 degree angle. Make sure the table you will be clamping your hackle to is a good sturdy heavy one or you may find yourself dragging it across the floor while you comb. To set the hackle up, the edge of the hackle should be either flush with the edge of your table or slightly over the lip of the table (for recessed clamps hackle as pictured). The regular clamps should be pushed as far back into the hackle as they can go and the recessed clamps should be flush with the hackle face. Tighten your clamps down and then gently holding on to the sides of the tines sort of shake/pull on the hackle. If the hackle moves you need to tighten the clamps, if the table moved but the hackle didn't then you're ready. If neither the table or the hackle moved then I'm jealous, you have a better table than I do!</span> </div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Loading Your Fiber</span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/9170800.jpg?325" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/9170800.jpg?325" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">When I wash fleece I just don't have the time or patience to wash it to maintain lock structure so my fleece is going in all directions. Oh well. This time I'm using a Rambouillet fleece that has a 3" to 3 1/2" staple, is very springy, and has some VM. I grab a handful..in this case about 0.6 oz and load it on the hackle mostly trying to get it on the first two rows though as you can see it migrates to the back two rows as well. When the hackle is about half full when pressed down gently measuring by the back two rows of tines it's full. This rule of thumb works well for wool because it tends to be poofy and springy naturally. When loading Alpaca and less springy fibers you would not want to load on this much but we will get to that in another tutorial. If you overload your hackle you will not be able to comb it all off efficiently and you will have more waste than you should. After the hackle is full, fluff the fiber up evenly......usually within 1 1/2" of the first two rows or level with the back to rows. I find it is best to stand with my feet apart and the right foot slightly in front of the left....this gives me better balance and mobility while combing. Yes, I live on the edge and comb in sock feet most of the time.</span> </div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Combing</span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/4342753.jpg?325" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="80" src="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/4342753.jpg?325" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Once your fiber is loaded you want to start with small "bites" catching the tips working from side to side while holding the comb with 2 hands. Due to the design of the handle, after awhile you should be able to flip the comb in your hands without even looking at it....you'll know which direction it's pointing in just by the feel. When you catch the tips in the comb turn the comb slightly downward to help pull off the fiber. There are videos on our </span><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/videos.html" style="background-color: white; color: #286ea0; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" title="">Video</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> page that explain this better than I can explain it in written words. Once you've combed off most of what's on the hackle very carefully lean over and comb off the backside of the hackle a few times (picture #4 in the above collage). Combing off the backside will not only comb off usable fiber so it doesn't go to waste, but will also help loosen up the fiber in the front of the hackle. Finish combing off the fiber in the front of the hackle and remove the waste on the hackle.</span> </div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reloading the Hackle</span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/5970866.jpg?325" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/5970866.jpg?325" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Now your comb should look like Don Kings hair! Push the fiber further up the tines so it doesn't slide off the ends when you are transferring it back to the hackle. Again, catching the tips of the fiber on the first two rows of tines bring the comb down gently and pull toward you. If you try to reload the fiber by catching the fiber further in on the comb you will struggle to get it on the hackle so just catch the last 1" or so of the tips on the hackle tines. Repeat this flipping the comb each time so that you are transferring off both sides of the comb and don't forget to slide your fiber back up the tines occasionally so it doesn't come off the end of the comb. Comb and reload the hackle as many times as necessary to get out all the VM, nepps, second cuts, etc.........how many times you have to comb the fiber will greatly depend on the fleece and the comb you are using. I combed the rambouillet once and it was ready to diz off. After reloading your hackle fluff the fiber backup on the tines as you did when you loaded it for combing, clean the waste off of your comb, and comb again as many times as are necessary for your fiber. After you have combed your fiber to suit you, fluff the fiber up on the hackle and you're ready to diz.</span> </div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dizzing</span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/223317.jpg?325" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="72" src="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/223317.jpg?325" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">For dizzing off of the stationary hackle I prefer to use the smaller 3/16" diz. Starting in the bottom right hand corner pull out a small bit of fiber, twist it gently on the end and thread it through the diz. Gently pull the fiber and push the diz toward the tines working your way across the bottom to the left hand side. Once you get to the left hand side continue dizzing back across to the right hand side. I find that the fiber will "walk" itself down the hackle when I diz the second half off. Dizzing does take practice! As you can see there is very little waste left on the hackle.</span> </div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Straightening Tines/Misc</span></h2></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/3775079.jpg?325" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="http://www.dragndropbuilder.com/uploads/2/8/6/8/2868696/3775079.jpg?325" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Occasionally when combing tines will get bent on either the hackle, the comb or both. It is very easy to bend them back into place. Simply take the tine straightener and put it over the bent tine and gently pull the tine back into place until it is aligned with the adjacent tines.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">I originally loaded the hackle with 0.6 oz of fiber. Once combed and dizzed off I had 0.4 oz of gorgeous springy top with 0.2 oz of waste from both the hackle and the comb combined. If you find the waste from your combing is not suitable for your drum carder there are many things you can do with it. I prefer to save mine and make felted wool dryer balls while others like to use it as mulch, for stuffing toys etc, for needle felting, or even leaving it out for the birds to build nests with. Nothing goes to waste!</span> </div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br />
</span></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-69343946200802565642012-02-12T14:48:00.000-05:002012-02-12T14:48:14.359-05:00Shop UpdateNew bags and tool covers now listed!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3b9XaJ5O3sA/TzgXZ4XzSeI/AAAAAAAABjY/bAXLJ9Uk9w4/s1600/update212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3b9XaJ5O3sA/TzgXZ4XzSeI/AAAAAAAABjY/bAXLJ9Uk9w4/s400/update212.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-61568739419916921482012-02-01T08:56:00.001-05:002012-02-01T08:57:55.340-05:00February 2012 Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FM9xQR71NI/TylBzgaPaiI/AAAAAAAABiY/0w7fbW6SiVk/s1600/1327770973.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9FM9xQR71NI/TylBzgaPaiI/AAAAAAAABiY/0w7fbW6SiVk/s200/1327770973.png" width="190px" /></a></div>Yay it's February!! That means winter is almost over, chocolate is in my future because of Valentine's Day, AND my birthday is the month....I get to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of my 9th birthday and eat cake!!! Lots of stuff going on here this month with our February Drawing and I will be starting the Comb and Hackle tutorials this month. If you haven't seen the Art Roving Hackle Part 3 tutorial yet check it out. I discovered a new technique for dizzing off the Art Roving Hackle in quantity. You'll wonder why no one though of it before, really. I'm sure you're wondering by now what the heart is. This is my favorite Valentine from Eric........years ago when I did alot of gardening he gave me a small load of good dirt that he patted into a heart shape and wrote on with sand. Isn't he sweet!<br />
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<strong>BMH has a <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Mountain-Handcrafts/339816389370051?sk=wall">FaceBook Page</a></span>! Come Like us and see shop updates, sales, specials, and events.</strong> <br />
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<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>BMH February Drawing!</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ed4x1S724wg/TylCPz8_J8I/AAAAAAAABig/FypVWKB1K9c/s1600/bmhravfeb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="46px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ed4x1S724wg/TylCPz8_J8I/AAAAAAAABig/FypVWKB1K9c/s400/bmhravfeb2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><strong>Feb.1st --Feb.29th </strong><br />
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Every order placed with a $25 subtotal after discounts, etc will get their order # put into our drawing. Two winners will be chosen on March 1st using the Random Number Generator and will be announced in our March Newsletter. There will also be 2 mini events during the month you won't want to miss that will be posted in the banner on our home page, in our Ravelry group, and on our Face Book page so check back often! Yes, I'm keeping them a secret for now.....I'm just evil that way. Here are the prize packages we will be giving away.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqZOCrq_tJ4/TylCYANyNLI/AAAAAAAABio/2Uz19VAzb3k/s1600/1stprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yqZOCrq_tJ4/TylCYANyNLI/AAAAAAAABio/2Uz19VAzb3k/s320/1stprize.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-size: large;">1st Place Prize </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: large;">total value $170</span></strong> <br />
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~Lime In the Coconut batt 3.6 oz<br />
~skein of hand spun yarn<br />
~3 KBC All Occasion Cards<br />
~SOAK Sampler ~Caddy Sax project bag ~ Notions bag ~Yarndemon Designs Pig orifice hook and matching stitch marker set ~ Roll Up needle case ~ hand dyed tonal tweed yarn skein ~ Fender Washer Diz set<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzGZMXJsK1M/TylCpo-te7I/AAAAAAAABiw/ZofRsAHtv20/s1600/2ndprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282px" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DzGZMXJsK1M/TylCpo-te7I/AAAAAAAABiw/ZofRsAHtv20/s320/2ndprize.jpg" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>2nd Place Prize </strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>total value $116</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> ~Peacock batt 2.4 oz ~SOAK Sampler ~3 KBC All Occasion Cards</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">~Notions bag ~Spinning Buddy bag (also makes a great small project bag)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">~skein of hand spun yarn ~ hand dyed tonal tweed yarn skein</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> ~Roll Up needle case ~Yarndemon Designs set of stitch markers </div>~Fender Washer diz set<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><strong>New Products</strong></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsHs7ay_f5Y/TylDu-vGUkI/AAAAAAAABi4/up3l2_addF8/s1600/8421402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168px" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fsHs7ay_f5Y/TylDu-vGUkI/AAAAAAAABi4/up3l2_addF8/s200/8421402.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div> <strong>DAZZLE!</strong>a blend of sparkly fibers great for adding to batts and combing in with wool or alpaca. DAZZLE comes in solid colors that I will be keeping in stock and varigated colors that will not be repeated so once they're gone that's it. DAZZLE can be found on our Fiber Add In's page of the shop.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wuBL_2pw374/TylD78fbpqI/AAAAAAAABjA/bXltCdC-F9s/s1600/2711752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wuBL_2pw374/TylD78fbpqI/AAAAAAAABjA/bXltCdC-F9s/s1600/2711752.jpg" /></a></div><strong>ART ROVING</strong> is back in the shop in smooth, semi (has some texture), and textured. The roving is very fun to spin and makes a fabulous corespun yarn! The Art Roving is made on our Art Roving Hackle and can be found on the Combed Top/Roving page of the shop.bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-9110387995635116002012-01-30T08:45:00.002-05:002012-01-30T19:30:19.680-05:00F.I.X. Co-op February Gift Certificate Drawing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfNQ1oqj3xI/Tyc2DWfNr_I/AAAAAAAABiQ/fwy6AZF3lls/s1600/FIX_Banner_Feb12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="80px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfNQ1oqj3xI/Tyc2DWfNr_I/AAAAAAAABiQ/fwy6AZF3lls/s400/FIX_Banner_Feb12.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<strong>FIX FEBRUARY GIFT CERTIFICATE DRAWING </strong>has started!!!<br />
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<strong>Starts:</strong> Retroactive January 30th <br />
<strong>Ends</strong>: February 26th <br />
<strong>Prize</strong>: 1st $50 gift certificate, 2nd $30 gift certificate<br />
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Prize: gift certificate that can be spent in any participating FIX members shop/website….GC can be split up between several shops…winner chooses how to spend it. <br />
How to enter: place an order with <a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/">Blue Mountain Handcrafts</a> or any one of the participating FIX members shops. Post your order in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/fiber-indie-experience-co-op/2006460/1-25">February Drawing</a> thread in the FIX Co-op Ravelry group by Feb. 26th.bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-43067606359734541012012-01-27T16:16:00.000-05:002012-01-27T16:16:23.928-05:00Shop UpdateGot some new things in the shop today! Textured Art Roving, hand dyed top, and some hand comb covers. Next week I'm hoping to have more Dazzle and bags to list and maybe a few batts:)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MI5N19NZWb4/TyMTVd7wt0I/AAAAAAAABhA/T3HDdUzpxNM/s1600/update012612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="400px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MI5N19NZWb4/TyMTVd7wt0I/AAAAAAAABhA/T3HDdUzpxNM/s400/update012612.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-25637319732078685712012-01-25T15:11:00.000-05:002012-01-25T15:11:27.866-05:00The Art Roving Hackle Part 3: Making Textured/Chunky Art Roving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIzta-iBSlY/TyBfM4ZlBgI/AAAAAAAABgI/0J6cnfrY4fw/s1600/originalartroving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="200px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vIzta-iBSlY/TyBfM4ZlBgI/AAAAAAAABgI/0J6cnfrY4fw/s200/originalartroving.jpg" width="138px" /></a></div>I had all the pictures taken for the tutorial using the art roving you see to the left. Really. Me, being the technologically advanced person that I am hit a button on my keyboard and my computer swallowed all but the 4 photos here. Did you hear me scream? That's alright though because I have a trick I discovered recently that I can share with you in this tutorial. I call it "The Ellis Technique" also known as "Reloading". Don't ask unless you really want to know the story behind that, it'a a little weird.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zklZt_Pj76o/TyBfUI2mkuI/AAAAAAAABgQ/4b_Y5rv-C-c/s1600/corespunwithswatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="162px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zklZt_Pj76o/TyBfUI2mkuI/AAAAAAAABgQ/4b_Y5rv-C-c/s400/corespunwithswatch.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-size: large;">TEXTURED/CHUNKY ART ROVING:</span></strong> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEbK8ewA5WI/TyBfzr2MUHI/AAAAAAAABgY/aKXacV2_9to/s1600/art31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 134px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 405px;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="130px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qEbK8ewA5WI/TyBfzr2MUHI/AAAAAAAABgY/aKXacV2_9to/s400/art31.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>There are many different ways you can prep your fiber and load it onto the hackle to achieve various effects for spinning. You can load locks, top, etc, directly onto the hackle much like we did in the 1st and 2nd ARH (Art Roving Hackle) tutorials. You can double layer your colors so that when you Part Don King's Hair your roving dizzed off the tophalf of the hackle will match the roving you diz off the bottom half. Again, many different ways to prep your fiber. I do, however, suggest you use at least one fluffy "grabby" fiber to help "glue" everything together. For instance, kid mohair locks are great in art roving but your roving would fall all to pieces if this were the only fiber you loaded on your hackle.<br />
For this tutorial I chose to grab various types of fiber~~~silk, bamboo, firestar, sparkle, faux cashmere, kid mohair locks, romney, cormo, and merino fleeces...the latter 3 being my "glue". I then talked Alex into running it through my Fancy Kitty bench picker twice for me. He's a sweetheart. This opened up locks , blended the fibers and colors some and got rid of a bit of the vegetable matter. <br />
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We're going to do something a little bit different this time. You can obviously load the hackle , Part Don King's Hair and diz as we did in previous tutorials but we're not this time. Grab a handful of your fiber and lash it onto the hackle........do not lash on more than 1.5oz total because we are going to diz across the whole face of the hackle!!! If you pack to much on you will get more waste. I've found that approx. 1.5 oz will give me enough dizzed fiber to make it worth going to the trouble and not so much waste that I want to grit my teeth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJotLcGfY_c/TyBgRqID4QI/AAAAAAAABgg/DkhTmPCp-NQ/s1600/art32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="101px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UJotLcGfY_c/TyBgRqID4QI/AAAAAAAABgg/DkhTmPCp-NQ/s400/art32.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<strong>THE ELLIS TECHNIQUE aka RELOADING</strong><br />
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This is so simple you'll wonder why you didn't think of it.........or why I didn't think of it months ago. I still don't know why I didn't think of it sooner! Start dizzing across the whole face of the hackle from right to left. When you get to the end DON'T DIZ ALL THE FIBER OFF!! Leave a little on the hackle and the diz in place. I found it very helpful to have a chair to catch all the dizzed roving.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WURRVo_YieM/TyBgfaAffeI/AAAAAAAABgo/NttQE0IesWo/s1600/art34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="88px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WURRVo_YieM/TyBgfaAffeI/AAAAAAAABgo/NttQE0IesWo/s400/art34.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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Clean the waste off of the hackle and set aside being careful not to disturb the fiber your diz is on. Now, with approx. 1.5 oz of fiber, RELOAD your hackle from the point you stopped dizzing down to the other end. To start dizzing again, pull your diz back toward you, grab a little bit of the reloaded fiber and tuck it into the hole of the diz along with the 1st load of fiber so it pulls through when you diz off the remainder of the first loading to start dizzing the second batch. Diz across and stop just before you get to the end. Continue to reload and diz back and forth across the face of the hackle until you've dizzed all your fiber. This will produce a continuous strand of roving provided you don't break it when dizzing. I suggest rolling it into a ball when you're done much like you would ball up yarn. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RngO4jSrGw/TyBgpUDF09I/AAAAAAAABgw/1yCI7xAOhtE/s1600/art36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="216px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9RngO4jSrGw/TyBgpUDF09I/AAAAAAAABgw/1yCI7xAOhtE/s400/art36.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>I had 6.2 oz of fiber that I started with. After loading the hackle a total of 4 times I was able to diz off a 5.4 oz roving ball and had 0.8 oz of waste that I'll toss in my drum carder. Not bad!! Again, remember that the amount of waste you get will greatly be determined by the type of fiber you use, how the fiber is prepped, how much you load on the hackle, and your dizzing technique. Dizzing does take practice to get the best results. That's it for the Art Roving Hackle Tutorials. <br />
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I'll be posting the first of the Comb and Hackle Tutorials sometime after the 1st of February.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WabbUC7DEc/TyBg4nNCcHI/AAAAAAAABg4/CvH_uyIt2s4/s1600/Forest_medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4WabbUC7DEc/TyBg4nNCcHI/AAAAAAAABg4/CvH_uyIt2s4/s400/Forest_medium.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-90201714065379211142012-01-20T10:36:00.000-05:002012-01-20T10:36:01.919-05:00FaceBookBlue Mountain Handcrafts now has a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blue-Mountain-Handcrafts/339816389370051">Face Book</a> page! Come follow us for shop updates, news, sales, and chatting. Please feel free to share pictures of items you've made with your BMH products!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWi_ICfPHhc/TxmJfbLsnLI/AAAAAAAABfo/3wckWoYrCPg/s1600/fb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368px" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWi_ICfPHhc/TxmJfbLsnLI/AAAAAAAABfo/3wckWoYrCPg/s400/fb3.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-36449358916815084862012-01-15T18:13:00.000-05:002012-01-15T18:13:59.591-05:00Shop Update!I got lots of new stuff listed in the shop yesterday and today I moved some batts, dyed top, and fleece to the <a href="http://bluemtn.fatcow.com/store/page33.html">Clearance</a> section. We are offering Art Roving again for your spinning pleasure (Combed Top/Roving section) and we have a new product called DAZZLE. It's a blend of sparkly fibers and is great for adding to batts, combed top, and art roving. Currently I have 9 colors up and will be adding to this. The varigated colors are one of a kind and cannot be repeated.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/">Blue Mountain Handcrafts</a></span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Keyn19oNr4/TxNdJQPGfZI/AAAAAAAABfM/59jIcMCR-z0/s1600/update0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Keyn19oNr4/TxNdJQPGfZI/AAAAAAAABfM/59jIcMCR-z0/s400/update0113.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-87741591795751225832012-01-09T16:47:00.002-05:002012-01-09T20:03:47.371-05:00The Art Roving Hackle Part 2: Making Smooth Art Roving<div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4t_JwttQbtU/TwtddIp0G1I/AAAAAAAABeE/ogAEEo6qrp4/s1600/ar1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4t_JwttQbtU/TwtddIp0G1I/AAAAAAAABeE/ogAEEo6qrp4/s400/ar1a.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>Hello all! In this tutorial I'm going to show you how to make smooth Art Roving on the Art Roving Hackle. It's one of the lovely things about this hackle....it will do textured/chunky roving as well as smooth and all points in between. Gotta love a versatile tool!<br />
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In this particular tutorial I have split the Art Roving Hackle into two sections with my high tech piece of cardboard. I want to demonstrate that the type of fiber you put on the hackle along with how much you pack it and how you diz it also effects how much fiber and waste you end up with. For this tutorial one half will be a mixture of mill combed top and add ins with the other half being hand combed top and add ins. <br />
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I will not be repeating instructions that were previously explained in the Art Roving Hackle Part 1 so for attaching the hackle and basic loading and dizzing you will need to refer to that tutorial. Alright, let's get started!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Fiber</span></strong><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JoL51u-BjdY/Twtdqks3yPI/AAAAAAAABeM/J9R-HHXdgFY/s1600/arc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JoL51u-BjdY/Twtdqks3yPI/AAAAAAAABeM/J9R-HHXdgFY/s400/arc1.jpg" width="400px" /></a><br />
I have weighed out two batches of fiber with each weighing 2 oz. As I am only using half of the hackle for each batch of fiber I was not able to get all of the fiber on the hackle.<br />
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Mill Combed Batch 1: banana silk 6" staple, merino top 3 1/2 to 4" staple, crystal metallic/angelina 8" staple, faux cashmere 3" staple, silk top 4-5" staple, firestar 3 1/2" staple, 20/80 silk merino top 4" staple <br />
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Hand Combed Batch 2: rambouillet combed fleece 3 1/2" staple, silk top 4-5" staple, soy silk 3 1/2" staple, alpaca combed fleece 3 1/2" staple, banana silk 6" staple<br />
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I want to note here that there are many ways to load the hackle according to the fiber prep you are trying to accomplish. These tutorials are not intended to teach you "colorwork" to achieve various effects with color. There are many books and videos on the subject of colorwork so I do not intend to go into that aspect of hackling in depth.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Loading The Hackle</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtPAHH-mPp0/TwteEletiuI/AAAAAAAABeU/dNISPSPubTA/s1600/arc2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtPAHH-mPp0/TwteEletiuI/AAAAAAAABeU/dNISPSPubTA/s640/arc2a.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>We're going to start with fiber Batch #2 which is the hand combed top. The Rambouillet and Alpaca were combed on my comb and hackle set. First, I want to explain that hand combed top is not as dense as mill combed and, depending on the type of wool, tends to "poof" a bit more on the hackle than mill combed top. I didn't want to layer colors this time mostly because I'm lazy so I made fiber bundles. To make a fiber bundle I simply pulled my hand combed top into lengths of 12-14" and then drafted pieces of my add ins to about the same length and bundled them all together. I lashed the fiber on holding the bundle and turning it occasionally to mix up the fibers and colors. Once you've lashed all your fiber on if you have pieces that are significantly longer than the rest of your fiber on the back or the front of the hackle (silk is famous for doing this) you can pull it out and lash it back on. When the hackle is filled (don't overload!!!) don't forget to fluff it up before dizzing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JE5C88RgxzY/TwteOLrKSpI/AAAAAAAABec/nxIIlDXplOw/s1600/arc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JE5C88RgxzY/TwteOLrKSpI/AAAAAAAABec/nxIIlDXplOw/s640/arc3.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>With the mill combed top I made a fiber bundle just like I did for the hand combed top above. If you are using fibers like angelina/crystal metallic, firestar, etc. you can draft them out in the center of a fiber bundle and then lay some pieces of top on top of it to sandwich the fibers in the center of the bundle. This will keep them in place.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Ready to Diz</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9xJWfYBI5U/Twteb7fXzVI/AAAAAAAABek/hj_Rp2x_Rs0/s1600/arc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9xJWfYBI5U/Twteb7fXzVI/AAAAAAAABek/hj_Rp2x_Rs0/s400/arc4.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>So the hackle is all loaded and now we need to pick our diz. I'm going for the 3/16" fender washer again since this is a smooth roving and that's my favorite size. Now we need to prep the fiber for dizzing and since I packed the hackle I had to "Part Don King's Hair" in order to diz off the most fiber with the least waste.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V-YPYChj2Vc/TwteoHwGM9I/AAAAAAAABes/Fk6k1R7YJfk/s1600/arc5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V-YPYChj2Vc/TwteoHwGM9I/AAAAAAAABes/Fk6k1R7YJfk/s640/arc5.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div>Start your dizzing in the top right hand corner as explained in the Art Roving Hackle Part 1 tutorial. The closer you get to the tines the more fiber you will diz off. However, be prepared for a little bit of a fight if you choose to do this as the fiber is harder to diz the closer you get to the tines. You will also get a roving that is thicker in some places and thinner in others. Dizzing takes practice and the more you do it the better you'll get at it and understand all the little tricks to doing it that are impossible to tell you in words.<br />
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I was able to load 1.6 oz of the mill combed fiber bundle on half the hackle. Dizzed off I got 1.2 oz of gorgeous roving but as you can see, the mill combed top left behind alot of waste....0.4 oz. I find this to be the case every time and I believe it is because mill combed top has several different lengths of fibers in it (I've found within the same top staple lengths from 2-4" long) .<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TasuOK5eHt4/Twtexa-CPYI/AAAAAAAABe0/t-kndiX4onY/s1600/arc7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TasuOK5eHt4/Twtexa-CPYI/AAAAAAAABe0/t-kndiX4onY/s640/arc7.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The same procedure is used for the fiber Batch #2 Hand Combed Top. I was able to load 1.4 oz of the fiber on the hackle. Hand combed top is much "poofier" than mill combed and tends to "climb" the tines on it's own. You can press it down but it will spring right back up and so you don't want to over fill your hackle or your fiber could very well poof itself right off the hackle. Don't ask me how I know this! After dizzing, I was able to get 1.2 oz of lovely top leaving 0.2 oz of waste. As you can see there is quite a difference in the amount of waste between the two batches of fiber with the mill combed top having twice as much waste as the hand combed. I'm not saying you shouldn't use mill combed top. I love using mill combed top BUT you do need to be aware that there will more than likely be more waste....also known as drum carder fodder because it makes lovely batts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbtnYCD12_g/TwtfCKdB1hI/AAAAAAAABe8/joiPuVe3Am4/s1600/finishedroving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbtnYCD12_g/TwtfCKdB1hI/AAAAAAAABe8/joiPuVe3Am4/s400/finishedroving.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-40694283430002063092012-01-05T14:24:00.000-05:002012-01-05T14:24:30.427-05:00BMH Shop UpdateJust listed in the shop: Caddy Sax bags, Spinning Buddy bags (also make great sock project bags!), firestar, silk, bamboo, a nd handspun yarns. Don't forget all month dyed top and roving is 10% off with Coupon Code <strong>10TOP</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P_bq-meRAo/TwX4kgGcMrI/AAAAAAAABd8/371SpesMaDg/s1600/jan5collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P_bq-meRAo/TwX4kgGcMrI/AAAAAAAABd8/371SpesMaDg/s400/jan5collage.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-86769595916034682332012-01-01T10:00:00.000-05:002012-01-01T10:00:51.092-05:00January 2012 Newsletter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKpT0TE1JXo/TwBy1IZnIUI/AAAAAAAABc0/RRyiADyNqnQ/s1600/2330035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKpT0TE1JXo/TwBy1IZnIUI/AAAAAAAABc0/RRyiADyNqnQ/s1600/2330035.jpg" /></a></div>We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday! There was no snow on the mountain for Christmas but my boys found other things to entertain themselves with. Eric and Alex took all the burnable broken Christmas ornaments and lined them up like an army. Then they proceeded to soak cotton balls with flammable liquid, light said cotton balls and launch them at the Christmas Ornament army with a homemade launcher. There was a big enough fire in our driveway to roast marshmallows. Never a dull moment here. Katie and I had a debate going on as to whether or not this was a "guy" thing or a "fire bug" thing. We decided there probably wasn't any difference so we went inside and ate cookies. We hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous New Year!!~~Beth<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">January Special: use coupon code <span style="color: #660000;">10TOP</span> for 10% off all dyed top & roving </span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HjgPS5I_9AQKR8AAmyWSOdssP6xet08786Dzg32HTWRdciI2GxaXKaHaDMV5Krf91DrzfZndWSebxC4yaKbhIDY-VjNDVTdYpAlwWi4_-pzRddQi0-B6iKNnD-KZ6yTsFHj8c8xNBo0/s1600/6916052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HjgPS5I_9AQKR8AAmyWSOdssP6xet08786Dzg32HTWRdciI2GxaXKaHaDMV5Krf91DrzfZndWSebxC4yaKbhIDY-VjNDVTdYpAlwWi4_-pzRddQi0-B6iKNnD-KZ6yTsFHj8c8xNBo0/s1600/6916052.jpg" /></a></div>We launched our <a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/wool-combs--hackles-tutorials.html">Wool Combs and Hackles Tutorials</a> this month! There was a slight change in plans and we started with the Art Roving Hackle instead of the Comb and Hackle sets. Dizzing instructions will also be included with each tool tutorial as well as other tips and tricks. We will be going over each tool as in depth as we can and each tool may require more than one post so don't forget to get the RSS feed available or sign up on the Contact Us form on the <a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/">Home</a> page of our website to get our "heads up" emails so you don't miss any! Please feel free to ask questions and leave comments on the Tutorials! I will be answering questions concerning the tools and techniques in using them.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">~~New in the shop!~~</span></strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCqhvlJ5qQ603hfDxkndzFccieqU5KwzvFTt6DsnsO0rP5uw2IyFUTiw29uxhwlVGMkirW7skQq_CtwXK_tNPleMRQpjkUr2YelSNAJZC1VjKRsSy3y-6vTOgtONN2V3izNFWqS_ouTk/s1600/572472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCqhvlJ5qQ603hfDxkndzFccieqU5KwzvFTt6DsnsO0rP5uw2IyFUTiw29uxhwlVGMkirW7skQq_CtwXK_tNPleMRQpjkUr2YelSNAJZC1VjKRsSy3y-6vTOgtONN2V3izNFWqS_ouTk/s1600/572472.jpg" /></a></div>Smooth WHATEVER batts are back! The batts are made with a variety of mill combed top, sparkle, faux cashmere, and firestar. Colors are grabbed at random and run through the drum carder creating a colorful crazy batt that will spin into a one of a kind yarn.<br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><strong>BMH Store <a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/gift-certificates.html">Gift Certificates</a> are now available!</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNb6oPWqe0YR-l9wcLBvWvNYK3bq_IheTgaDwTZWKFS6pG9lDpcFZ1cgU-Jj3w_V_001MWenOvcwPs5p9cnGDL3XVkFxbQaHW6T_I-87yz7rURadiwJneKWjiJXDDsnQCOdl9wroOcl4/s1600/5535452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNb6oPWqe0YR-l9wcLBvWvNYK3bq_IheTgaDwTZWKFS6pG9lDpcFZ1cgU-Jj3w_V_001MWenOvcwPs5p9cnGDL3XVkFxbQaHW6T_I-87yz7rURadiwJneKWjiJXDDsnQCOdl9wroOcl4/s1600/5535452.jpg" /></a></div>We now offer a <span style="color: #990000;">4 Pitch English style Wool Comb and Hackle for $195.00!</span> The set comes with the 4 pitch non-recessed stationary hackle and a 4 pitch comb of your choice (heavy, hybrid, or light).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSpLodca0qE/TwB0pCxx2EI/AAAAAAAABdk/60ag32jIT94/s1600/8437364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSpLodca0qE/TwB0pCxx2EI/AAAAAAAABdk/60ag32jIT94/s1600/8437364.jpg" /></a></div><strong><span style="color: blue;">~~January's Events~~</span></strong><br />
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Fiber Indie eXperience Co-op's F.I.X. Chix January Prize Box Drawing<br />
Starts: retroactive Dec 30 <br />
Ends: Jan 29th <br />
Prize: 4 boxes filled with fiber and yarn goodies with a total value of approx. $400!! For more information see the F.I.X. Co-op Ravelry group or the Co-op page here on the website.bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-13696085957809991832011-12-28T16:12:00.000-05:002011-12-28T16:12:26.066-05:00Art Roving Hackle Part 1: The Basics--Set Up, Loading, and Dizzing<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAlsRZBef4A/TvuEHTfSVyI/AAAAAAAABa8/NrbVY9oqVEM/s1600/toolsartrovinghackle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAlsRZBef4A/TvuEHTfSVyI/AAAAAAAABa8/NrbVY9oqVEM/s1600/toolsartrovinghackle.jpg" /></a>Slight change of plans...we are going to start the tutorials with the Art Roving Hackle. The Art Roving Hackle was designed to make textured/chunky rovings for spinning art yarns BUT will also do smooth rovings as well. The hackle has an 18" working face with 5" tines in a 1 pitch setting to allow chunkier items such as whole locks, novelty yarn, etc. to be dizzed more easily through the tines. All of the specs on the Art Roving Hackle can be found here. In this tutorial we will go over the basics and create a "semi-smooth" art roving.........smooth with texture.....with tutorials on making more textured/chunky art rovings and smooth ones as well to follow in the next few weeks.~~~Beth</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Set Up:</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYiir6SngxE/TvuEZXPu1pI/AAAAAAAABbI/N86iQNY7muw/s1600/artroving1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYiir6SngxE/TvuEZXPu1pI/AAAAAAAABbI/N86iQNY7muw/s400/artroving1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
When setting up your Art Roving Hackle you want to make sure you have a good heavy sturdy table with a 2" or so lip to attatch it to. I'm dead serious about the table being heavy and sturdy, it's a must! Make sure the clamps are pushed as far in the hackle as they will go and the metal bar of the clamps should be right up against the table edge. The hackle edge should be even or a smidge over the lip of the table. Once everything is lined up tighten down the clamps. You think you have the clamps tight but do you really?? It's time to test them before you start playing. Grab the base of the hackle on either end or the base that the tines set in and push it back and forth, put some effort into it! If the hackle moves it's not tight enough, if you move the heavy table and the hackle stays put you're good to go! <br />
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<strong>Loading the Hackle:</strong> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXJiwXG-j8g/TvuEp3lcyMI/AAAAAAAABbU/QJ-DoMlmY8k/s1600/arthackle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nXJiwXG-j8g/TvuEp3lcyMI/AAAAAAAABbU/QJ-DoMlmY8k/s400/arthackle2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>So we're ready to start playing! Get your fiber together that you intend to play with. Picture #4 is what I chose to play with: <br />
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20/80 silk merino top--3-3 1/2" staple, novelty yarn cut into 4ish" lengths, silk top--5 1/2" to 6" staple, firestar--4" staple, angelina/crystal metallic--8" staple, kid mohair locks--4" staple, romney fleece --5 1/2" staple, merino fleece --4 1/2"-5" staple, alpaca top-- 3 1/2" -4" staple, faux cashmere--3 1/2" staple, bamboo--3-3 1/2" staple<br />
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All of the fleece I'm using has been washed/scoured to remove any lanolin. You DO NOT want to use raw fleece as it will leave grease on your tines that will be difficult to remove. The romney fleece has been run through the picker to remove vegetable matter and the merino fleece was coated so it's pretty clean. You will want to remove as much VM (vegetable matter) as possible before loading your fiber onto the hackle. <br />
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I started with approx. 2.2 oz. total of fiber layering it on the hackle. When lashing the fiber on I generally get a handful and catch about 1" of the ends onto the top of the tines and gently pull the fiber down onto the tines and back toward me. You don't want huge gobs of fiber going on the hackle at once as they will be extremely difficult to diz off. Things work much better if you do thinnish layers. As you can see above I have chosen fibers that vary from 8" in staple length to 3". As a rule, the longer fibers will diz off and leave the short ones behind so to mitigate this after loading a layer of a shorter fiber I gently grab the ends and tug them side to side pulling them through the hackle just a little so they will diz off with the longer fibers. For some fibers such as angelina/crystal metallic, novelty yarn, whole curly locks, etc. I find actually laying them between the tines works better than trying to lash them on and they diz off easier as well. The last thing concerning loading is to NOT OVER LOAD your hackle. An over loaded is extremely hard to diz off of AND you have a very high "waste factor". Nobody likes wasting fiber! I suggest that the Art Roving Hackle not be loaded more than 2" to 2 1/2" when gently packed down.......meaning press it down gently to compact it and see where you are on the tines. I will show you the wisdom of this when we diz. <br />
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<strong>Dizzing:</strong><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nLC916GJB8/TvuE43Oen_I/AAAAAAAABbg/85q5mzIOwFs/s1600/arthackle3collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nLC916GJB8/TvuE43Oen_I/AAAAAAAABbg/85q5mzIOwFs/s400/arthackle3collage.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><strong>PREPARING FOR DIZZING:</strong><br />
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Once the hackle is loaded fluff up your fibers to within the top 1/2" of the tines. Check the back side and make sure the fiber looks as evenly distributed as you can make it. Sometimes the front side will look fluffed and even but upon inspection in the back you can see where there are still compacted areas. My example isn't the best for showing this since I used fleece with whole locks...it looks like it's really packed on the hackle but it's not. Now your fluffed and need to chose your diz. The diz should be choosen taking into account what fiber you have on the hackle....smooth top, large chunky locks, etc. I have 3 sizes pictured, these are the ones I mainly use.<br />
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Upper left: 1/4" for smooth roving, upper right: 3/8" for really textured and chunky roving. My choice was the center diz: 3/16" for semi smooth roving that has a little texture. The dizzes I use are fender washers from the hardware store. They are inexpensive and come in a wide variety of sizes.<br />
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<strong>Parting Don King's Hair--my suggested method for dizzing on our longer hackles</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekfoLW4wZE8/TvuFNEf0IMI/AAAAAAAABbs/cZV15ccOYXQ/s1600/donking1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137px" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekfoLW4wZE8/TvuFNEf0IMI/AAAAAAAABbs/cZV15ccOYXQ/s400/donking1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><strong><br />
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I came up with this method of "Parting Don King's Hair" for the longer hackles after playing with them a bit and finding this method is 1) easier on the person dizzing in the sense of the pulling that goes on AND 2) there is much less waste fiber. From the pictures you can see that when I loaded the hackle I seperated the two halves with cardboard. On the right side of the hackle we will use the "Parting Don King's Hair" method. On the left side I'll show you what happens if you try to diz across the whole face of the hackle. <br />
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<strong>Parting Don King's Hair:</strong> begin by finding the center of your fiber starting at the edge of the hackle. With your fingers work down the hackle horizontally seperating the fibers so there is a top half and a bottom half much the way you would part hair. Try and get the halves as even as possible. Once the fiber has been parted from end to end use your hands to push the lower half down and look for any fibers on the tines at the center part that may have been missed. With both hands, sandwich the fiber on the top half between your palms to sort of pat it together so the top layer is better defined. Again, the top half of the fiber should be within 1/2" approx. from the top of the tines. If the fiber gets to close to the top of the tines gently push it back down..........you really don't want it popping off while you're dizzing!<br />
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Now, starting at the top right (or left, whichever is most comfortable for you) grab the tips of the fibers on the edge of the hackle giving the ends a little twist making it easier to put them through the diz. Begin dizzing across the top. Do not pull your diz much more than the length of the shortest fiber on your hackle. Mine shortest fiber was about 3" so I wouldn't pull more than 3 1/2" max.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GpKT_CJ3Kfw/TvuFhM5RjPI/AAAAAAAABb4/sOKWlLMTToU/s1600/donking2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GpKT_CJ3Kfw/TvuFhM5RjPI/AAAAAAAABb4/sOKWlLMTToU/s400/donking2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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Okay, so you are at the far end of the hackle with only a little more on the top half to diz off. With the diz extended out toward you and the last of the fiber from the top half of the hackle in the diz reach down and grab up the tips of the fiber on the edge of the bottom half of the hackle just below you. Hold the tips from the bottom half with the top half and gently guiding the diz down, pull them both through the diz together finishing off the fiber on the top half of the hackle and starting the fiber on the lower half. Diz across the lower half until you reach the end. The fiber I dizzed off weighed 1 oz. As you can see the waste was minimal and would not even register on the scale.......my guess is 0.2oz or less. <br />
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<strong>What happens when you diz across the entire face of the hackle........</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RXF02E0Rkk/TvuFus3ADCI/AAAAAAAABcE/OrBxZ5JxYpc/s1600/face1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_RXF02E0Rkk/TvuFus3ADCI/AAAAAAAABcE/OrBxZ5JxYpc/s400/face1.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
You can diz across the entire face of the hackle when it's full BUT I don't mainly because it is much harder to diz with lots of tugging and pulling going on AND MOSTLY because there is significantly more waste. I have noticed this with every fiber I've used and with mill combed top in particular. You can compare pictures #19 and #23 and see the difference while it's on the hackle. I was able to diz off 0.6 oz of top going across the entire face of the hackle and ended up with 0.4 oz of waste.......that's almost 50% waste and that's way to much in my opinion. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKrybtdkONk/TvuF4QzfiWI/AAAAAAAABcQ/wBEy1nzbCQk/s1600/finalcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XKrybtdkONk/TvuF4QzfiWI/AAAAAAAABcQ/wBEy1nzbCQk/s400/finalcollage.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<strong>In a nutshell:</strong> <br />
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--make sure your hackle is securely clamped to a heavy sturdy table<br />
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--do not load your hackle more than 2 to 2 1/2" gently packed<br />
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--when mixing longer and shorter fibers gently tug shorter fibers to bring them forward on the hackle before putting on the next layer<br />
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--chose your diz according to the type of fiber prep you have made<br />
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--don't forget to "Part Don King's Hair" before dizzing<br />
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<strong>Odds and ends:</strong><br />
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--the amount of fiber you get off the hackle weight wise will vary according to the type of fiber as well as the type of fiber prep you are creating (smooth, semi, textured)<br />
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--do not braid dizzed roving....it is much lighter and airy than mill combed top and when unbraiding it can break<br />
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--hand combed fleece leaves the least amount of waste of any fiber I've tried with mill combed<br />
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top leaving the most waste.bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-45099297518522248092011-12-15T14:52:00.000-05:002011-12-15T14:52:06.818-05:00Wool Comb and Hackle & Free Shipping thru Dec. 25th<strong><a href="http://www.bluemoutainhandcrafts.com/">Blue Mountain Handcrafts</a></strong><br />
Just a few things...................<br />
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--I've finished clearing out the shop and <span style="color: #660000;"><strong>now thru Dec. 25th there is Free Shipping on all items</strong></span> excluding Tools, Clearance, and Custom Made<br />
--we are discontinuing carrying Unicorn Products...they're great we just don't sell enough to try and keep it in stock so it's all been marked down and moved to the <a href="http://bluemtn.fatcow.com/store/page33.html">Clearance</a> page<br />
--hopefully, by early this coming week we will have our listing up for a <a href="http://bluemtn.fatcow.com/store/page4.html">4 pitch English style wool comb and hackle set</a> for less than $200. It will still be Eric's wonderful design where beauty meets comfort and functionality.<br />
--new <a href="http://bluemtn.fatcow.com/store/page3.html">batts</a> listed in the shop today.........you know you want fiber for Christmas!!! I know I do;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PhE-O-FEJg/TupO8USqgPI/AAAAAAAABaw/uVdb4nzCtmU/s1600/update1215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260px" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PhE-O-FEJg/TupO8USqgPI/AAAAAAAABaw/uVdb4nzCtmU/s400/update1215.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295396167551944147.post-55593990821134718132011-12-12T13:37:00.001-05:002011-12-12T13:37:58.265-05:00FREE SHIPPING Christmas Special!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NO90XeI8_EA/TuZH9qpYmXI/AAAAAAAABag/oxcOnt5iwnE/s1600/christmasfreeshippingsmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187px" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NO90XeI8_EA/TuZH9qpYmXI/AAAAAAAABag/oxcOnt5iwnE/s320/christmasfreeshippingsmall.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bluemountainhandcrafts.com/">Blue Mountain Handcrafts</a></span></strong></div>To help you get ready for Christmas we are offering <strong>Free Shipping</strong> on all BMH products excluding Tools, Clearance, Custom made/order/services <strong>DECEMBER 12 THRU DECEMBER 25...no coupon code needed!</strong>. Yep, free shipping on knitting project bags, spinning wheel bags, spinning batts, hand dyed combed top, handspun yarn, and other spinning fiber products.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FpnrO6ZmdFw/TuZIIM_W9rI/AAAAAAAABao/WnhGmQiddsE/s1600/BMH+shop+update+dec9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FpnrO6ZmdFw/TuZIIM_W9rI/AAAAAAAABao/WnhGmQiddsE/s320/BMH+shop+update+dec9.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>bluemtnBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14437948457203987986noreply@blogger.com0