Posted by apsobear on Saturday, 31 August 2002, at 8:49 p.m.:
I'm wondering if anyone has any experience on spinning dog hair and could give me a few tips. I raise Lhasa Apsos and am involved in showing, obedience, Rally O and pet assisted therapy. Over the years I've been collecting the hair from brushings and having it made into yarn which is then made into sweaters, mittens, hats or gloves and sold at fun raisers for dog rescue. Sometimes the yarn is sold as is so that others can make their own items. I'm interested in doing this myself rather than having it sent off to be done. I've gotten conflicting advice about how to prepare the hair before spinning it. A few people have told me to separate the guard hairs from the undercoat before spinning it. Other say it's ok to leave it. Washing it before spinning causes it to mat a bit making for a lot of work but most recommend that I do that. Also I'm told that this type of fiber can only be worked on a drop spindle not a spinning wheel. I'm looking for anyone who has experience with spinning dog hair to give me some tips or tell me what problems they've had doing this. I have several generations of Lhasas, 10 altogether including a couple that I'm showing for others. They are different colors, black, white, red, gold, etc and I keep them in full coat, so I have a nice variety of rich colors to work with. I am enclosing a photo of yarn made from one of the dogs hair and a photo of that dog.. Gizzy.
Eve