Preparing fibers is an essential step before the actual spinning process. Whether wool, plant fibers, or more exotic materials, every fiber needs to be treated properly to ensure it is even, soft, and ready for spinning. This article shows you the most important methods, explains their differences, and offers practical tips so you're perfectly prepared for every type of fiber.
Why fiber preparation is crucial
Fiber preparation is more than just an intermediate step. It determines how well your fibers spin and what the final yarn looks like. The benefits at a glance:
- Removal of impurities (straw, awns, fat)
- Untangling and loosening the fibers
- Parallel alignment for even yarn
- Facilitating the extraction when spinning
The better prepared you are, the more enjoyable the spinning process will be. This is a crucial factor, especially for beginners.
The 5 most important methods for fiber preparation
1. Carding - The classic for versatile fibers
During carding, the fibers are loosened, mixed, and slightly parallelized using hand or drum cards. The result is a fluffy fleece or roll (rolag).
Advantages:
- Well suited for many types of wool
- Loosens even slightly matted fibers
- Ideal for mixing colors and fiber types
Application: Place small portions on the carding brushes, card with even pressure and then form the fleece into manageable rolls.
2. Combing - For smooth, high-quality yarn
Combing aligns fibers parallel and sorts out shorter fibers. The result: a uniform, smooth combed top, ideal for fine yarns.
Advantages:
- Very uniform spun yarn
- Removes shorter, stubborn fibers
- Perfect for long-staple fibers such as flax or long-fiber wool with pronounced crimp
Tip: Combing is more time-consuming than carding, but it's worth it if you want to produce smooth, high-quality yarn.
3. Pre-drafting - Preparation before spinning
Here, you pull the fibers apart slightly before spinning. This creates a thinner ribbon that is easier to spin.
Advantages:
- Ensures even extraction
- Ideal for beginners
- Particularly helpful for fiber-rich fleeces
Application: Hold the fiber in the middle and gently pull both ends apart without separating them.
4. Spinning from the flake - pure nature
Here, the yarn is spun directly from the unwashed or lightly plucked tuft. This is an original method with a lot of character.
Advantages:
- No additional effort
- Particularly authentic yarn
- Perfect for creative, rustic projects
Note: Irregular yarn and frequent interruptions may occur - not ideal for uniform yarns.
5. Preparation of vegetable fibers - roasting, breaking, hackling
Bast fibers such as flax or hemp require special preparation steps such as retting, breaking, whirling and hackling.
Process in brief:
- Roasting to dissolve the plant glue
- Breaking to destroy the wood parts
- Swinging to separate the fibers
- Panting for alignment and cleaning
Result: Smooth, stable fibers, perfect for fine plant threads.
Which method suits your fiber?
| Fiber type | Recommended method |
| Sheep's wool (washed) | Carding, pulling |
| Merino wool | Combing, pulling |
| Raw wool (untreated) | Washing, carding |
| Flax, hemp | Roasting, breaking, hacking |
| Short fibers | Carding |
| Long fibers | Combing |
Practical tips for preparation
- Work cleanly: Remove straw, dust and awns before carding or combing.
- Process small quantities: This way you maintain control and quality.
- Maintain tools: Clean hand cards and combs extend their lifespan and improve results.
- Take your time: Speed is no good when preparing; it's better to be slow but thorough.
Conclusion
Fiber preparation is more than just technique; it's part of the creative journey from fiber to yarn. Whether you prefer carding, combing, or spinning from fiber, each method has its appeal. The important thing is that you feel comfortable, treat your fibers well, and enjoy the process.
Make your yarn unique: with the right preparation, every fiber becomes a dream!