Making and Spinning Rolags-Drumcarder? Blending Board? Tight? Fluffy? Let's talk!
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- During Tour de Fleece Dionne had questions about the rolags I was spinning, but lots of you had many more questions like, "Why make fiber into rolags?" and tons more. I decided to make some loose rolags, and some tighter ones to show how they look and talk about why you might want either kind, but also made some on the blending board.
While I do prefer the fluffier looser rolags most of the time, if the fiber is shorter, the tighter ones hold together better. Thanks so much for joining me. See you soon!
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My husband made me a blending board, it’s perfect and my comb just got here. Great to do while relaxing:) Those are gorgeous!
Thank you! I love my combs too and find combing weirdly relaxing!
Thanks, Trish!
I only have the baby brother carder so this would be a challenge but I don't have a blending board either, so if I want rolags I pull a length off my.mini batt, after its relaxed and expanded and roll on dowels so they're super loose, or if I have processed top, I steam and floof open then pull a piece and roll loosely so I can get a springier yarn.
Perfect timing. With no real fiber stash, I have ordered a couple of blending sets of bamboo, merino and tussah silk in a bunch of colors. Can’t wait to use your technic on my blending board. Watching you on your drum carder is so relaxing. Cheers.
Well, that sounds very fun to play with!
Hi Trish, hope you're OK xx 😘
Making Rolags on your blending board couldn't have been better timing I've just got one and can now spin striped yarn.
Thankyou so much for showing how to do this.
Take care and stay safe
Love Jen xx 💖
We're wonderful! I hope you're okay too. You're going to have sooo much fun with that blending board!
I hate that stressed out feeling when everything is unorganized. I’m okay with neat clutter but it makes me very happy when everything is in its place. You’ll get there soon Trish! Your studio already looks great, the wall of yarn/fiber is beautiful! Very inspiring 😍. I’ll be watching for how you spin the rolags. I made some for the first time last month and had the hardest time spinning them. I felt like I did something wrong, drafting was extremely difficult 😥 and it felt like I was ripping the fiber! But I’ll keep trying because making the rolags was so fun!
That sounds exactly like my first experience, so try predrafting and winding them more loosely and see how it goes. I'd love to hear if it helps!
@@FiberLoveDiary I took your advice and it definitely helps! It doesn’t feel like I’m ripping it. I think it’ll take more practice to really get the hang of it, but being able to blend the wool and make rolags is just so much fun! Thanks Trish 🤗
I roll them the opposite way off of the blending board, then I open the batt up until it’s flat. Then I take strips off of that and spin them. That way I get worsted yarn instead of woolen..😊
That would still not be worsted. Once you disorganized come top, it's not worsted anymore
It’s giving Harry Potter vibes. And I love it 😍
Thank you. This was very helpful. The folate are pretty.
Glad I could help!
Thanks so much Trish 🥰 I’m making mine to tight.
I was thinking about you the whole time!
Very pretty, and inspiring too. Thank you ❤️
Thank you!
I hope your studio comes together soon! I know that chaos anxiety feeling and it suuuuucks. But when it’s done? Oh wow….you’ll have a Space instead of just space. ☺️
I love drafting and spinning a tight rolag. I enjoy the texture of it. But I’ve never spun a fluffy one so I’m not sure if it would be the same. I’ll have to try it!
I’m loving how your “ZEN DEN” (😂) is coming together 😊 😊😊💕
Mostly it really does feel like a dream come true, but that morning it felt stressy 🤣🤣
You were not sure what to do with your synthetic nylon yarn. JillianEve made a small woven draw string bag. You also could have blended to make strong socks.
When using your drum carder, how are you deciding when you're going to feed the fiber in through the lickerin (sp?) vs applying it directly onto the drum?
Things that tend to stick to the licker (staticky or very short) I paint on directly. Also, if I want to make sure I can control exactly where they are placed, I go straight to the drum. The licker will break them up and give you a little bit less control as the bigger drum just picks up some of the fibers as it passes. Hopefully that makes sense! I usually also put Angelina or Firestar directly on the drum because they often just fall off the licker and end up under the carder.
@@FiberLoveDiary That makes total sense! I wasn't sure if you were feeding through at the start to establish a base for everything else, but then I saw you feed some fiber through again later on, so I figured the reason must be more nuanced. Thanks!
I was thinking that making a self striping batt/rolag and then a blended batt/rolag using the same colors would make a really pretty plied yarn.
That's a really cool idea.
The last time I tried rolags I got so frustrated because it was way too tight and wouldn't draft at all. Definitely going to give this a try
I've had that problem too. My first few tried were really hard to spin!
I will definitely have to try rolling the rolags loose on my blending board. Too many times it was too tight. Thanks for sharing.
Same here. My first ones were hardly Spinnable.
This comparison is super helpful, thank you for the details!
Hi! I'm a production spinner and I have some questions and doubts. I'm on the verge of quitting making rolags for good. They are time-consuming and I don't see much added value to the results but I'm usually tempted to make some more hahaha. I sometimes remove the batt as usual and roll it like a cigarette, would it be any difference from a rolag without drafting? and some other times when color is not involved I take small parts from the batt and I spin from the fold, maybe there's less air trapped (I should make a side by side comparison). I always spin my carded wool (either drum or blending board ) with the long draw technique. What do you all think? Thanks Trish for your wonderful video and Regards!
When I spin from the fold, I don't think I get the yarn as fluffy as when I'm spinning off a spiral whether it's a batt or a rolag. I do think a rolled up batt is pretty similar to this type of rolag. I'm not a production spinner, but most of these depend a lot on the fiber. Is it commercial top? Did I prep it myself? What kind of yarn am I trying to make? I always answer "it depends", but it does depend. I am always thinking of the end yarn when I start designing from the very beginning, but if production is your goal, I would think you would approach it from a different angle.
Thank you. I learned a lot from this video.
When you pull the rolag tight off the drum carder, will it be more worsted when you spin? In other words, will you see a difference in the quality of your yarn spinning the looser ones with the tight one? And, your colors are so beautiful and fall-ish! 😊
Once you take top and card it, it can never be worsted again, BUT I think you're asking if it would have less or more air in it. That's really a function of drafting. If you used a short forward draw to draft a looser rolag, you would generally get a less fluffy yarn than if you took a tighter one and spun it longdraw. My answers always seem to be, "It depends." 😂
I will try your method of removing the rolags. It should be easier to spin. To keep the self-striping, will you chain ply?
Yes! If I want it to stripe I chain ply.
Those colors will be great for fall! I've always wanted to try spinning from rolags, but haven't had the chance yet.
Well, when the time is right, it'll happen!
Neat! Thanks for sharing! 😁❤️
Loved this demo! I have been looking for Good examples of rollag and rollog ! Excellent! Love you!
Love you! Thanks, and you should see the ginormous rollogs that come off the carder 😂
I just got a blending board and have made a few tight rolags and a few batts. I'm going to try looser batts as you demonstrated because the tight ones are frustrating.
Let me know how it goes! I have struggled with the tight ones too.
What is your experience when you spin the tighter rolag vs the loose. Did it change the color blend some?
I think it depends a lot on how much you predraft, whether you even do or not, and how you draft and spin, so sometimes? 😜
Happy Saturday? Is it Saturday? Maybe? I honestly can’t tell…
Heck if I know half the time!
I’m ready to get out my blending board! Don’t have a drum carder but so far I don’t need one.
You can do a lot with a blending board!
The Rolags are beautiful.
You can make a copper color by using gold and adding violet. I know sounds weird but it works, try about 90% gold to 10% violet or maybe even 5% violet. I know your stressed but take a deep breath and remember we love you just the way you are.
It's much better now! John finished up my work table, so that is really helping things get to the next stage. I will try it. I have been working with burgundies and gold, but I will try it with a violet instead. I guess I was close. I also was DEFINITELY not using the best proportions if it should be 90/10 or 95/5
@@FiberLoveDiary yeah you'll just have to play with the amounts of each that you use.
Love your lamp....but my squirrel brain waved a weird idea at me....
Get panels of plexiglass, cut them to fit inside the frame, and glue them in place.
Make a hat/lid for the top (make sure the bulb part isn't jammed up)
As you spin, put a sneeze worth of every fiber into the lamp-quarium
At the end of the year, card it and spin up the contents
If this sounds appalling, just blame the squirrel living in my head 😊
Thank you I will be trying this on my carder😊
Yay! I'd love to hear it see how it goes!
Oh gosh, because all my fiber is natural white, now I'm going to have to do some dyeing and make some rolags. Thanks Trish 👍😂
This made me want to do a bunch of dyeing too, but I haven't had a chance yet! Is your loom done? I just saw that they have some material shortage. I hope you get yours soon!
No, the loom is not here yet, and I haven't heard anything yet. I will be sending an equiry email soon.
You're so lucky to have your studio!! Thanks for your video. Question do you know if the Brother manual carder has that peg in it like your motorized one?
I do feel very lucky, but man I was having a moment in the disorganization! The manual carders don't have a peg (I checked the one I have that will be a prize in the future). But you really don't need one, because the manual crank makes it easy to advance or back up the drum. It's harder to do for short distances on the electric ones.
Thanks for the answer. Yes I'm feeling really stressed out. I can't even walk into my closet and I have 3 1/2 bags of Romney neck wool to wash too. My brother is visiting so I haven't been able to do much of anything fiber related. That alone is a stresser for me.
Thanks for sharing this! It was very informative. I love making rolags.
Love the colours you used! And wow your rolags look so tidy, I only have hand carders and when I roll rolags they look like a puffy mass haha
The ones that come from hand carders are a completely different animal, so they probably look exactly the way they should!
@@FiberLoveDiary oh good to know! Thanks 🙂
They are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you like them!
Trish, can I do a rolag without carding? I have those nice tops and I don't have a carder, but I think I want that soft variegation between the colors. What would you recommend?
Hello, I loved the colors you chose for the rolags. I always wondered what the difference where between rolags and rologs. Because I bought some rologs from Wildwool farm a few months ago and now I need to spin them so I can see what's inside of them. I sure hope there is not any locks of hair!
Great video.. I have tried it both ways and I agree that the loser approach I think is easier to spin. Question of the day?? What TPI is your drum carder. I am thinking of a new one but was hoping you would share your thoughts on that. Thank you
Gorgeous colors, I'm seeing your channel for the first time- and that's one huge drum carder! Greetings from NYC!! 😄🤗💖🌹
Welcome!! Thank you. I do love the ginormous carder.
@@FiberLoveDiary Can you please tell me where you got it from, I have problem hands and it's getting harder for me to use my hand carders ☹️
@@doralevitt2879 It's a Brother Carder, and I am a dealer because I like it so much, so you can get one from me if you end up wanting one! Just email me at fiberlovediary@gmail.com and we will work things out. Just be aware that❤ they are taking about three weeks to ship right now, so it will ship a few weeks after the order is submitted. Either way, thank you and good luck!
Great demonstration of rolags on the carder and blending board. I love watching you make batts on your beautiful drum carder! The colours you picked are so perfect for fall.
I don't think I realized drum carders we're that large. I wondered why they were so expensive, so that makes sense.
Just breathe and revel in your new space!🥰🥰
(I do realize that it is often easier to say than to do but you got this and your tribe is cheering you on!)
Mostly I am, but that morning, I was seriously stressing out 🤣🤣
As always great info Trish. Stay well
You too!
Thank you so much for this video, I was a bit confused on all the opinions on youtube.
So help, I have had problems with my drum carder.thank you.
This video has helped me understand rolags so much better!!
What tpi is your brother that you used?
I believe my carder is 90 TPI
Beautiful colors, I might be tempted to try spinning
Love the colours! I’ve been making mini rolags with a pet comb and some take-away chopsticks, nice to know I’m on the right track though!
I love winging it with available tools!
Beautiful colours. What would you make with these rolags?
That's it!!!! What do I need to know when buying a blending board? LOL No really....
I have a brother blending board in stock right now. There's not much difference between boards in my opinion.
@@FiberLoveDiary I went to your Etsy shop and don't see it listed.
I just opened the box, do I don't even have it listed yet 🤣. If you're really interested, you can email me at fiberlovediary@gmail.com 😉
@@FiberLoveDiary Email sent - thank you!
Those are such beautiful colors
I can't wait to spin them!
Do you know how norm makes yarn?
I'm sorry, but I don't think I know norm
Perfect timing…just finished cleaning the Finn
Ooooo, do you love it?
@@FiberLoveDiary it’s so nice. Soft, luxurious
So educational!!! Thank you! And I look forward to seeing this spun out… (yes, I’m thinking autumn too!)
I've been rolling them tight, will try loose.
I like them fluffy too
So much easier to draft
What a great fun and informative video! Thank you so much for this. I can totally see why the chaos in your studio makes you stressed … we have the kitchen in that chaos atm and it’s horribly stressful. I guess you have to keep reminding yourself it’ll be amazing😊
I was just definitely having a moment! We renovated our entire house before we sold it last time. I am usually okay in the chaos, UNTIL. There's always that moment where I"m like, "AUGHHHHHHHH". LOL Luckily it doesn't last long.
@@FiberLoveDiary I really felt for you…
I’m a little stressed atm as I’m having more daily radiotherapy and I’m finding spinning so incredibly helpful for soothing and relaxing me. We are lucky to have fibre!
You did a great job showing how to make rolags on both pieces of equipment. I just got a bag of mill ends in fall colors, this is what I am going to do with some of it. Blessings.
Have fun!
The colors you picked are pretty!!!. Try not to stress too hard, your room will be finished before ya know it. You have that shelving unit looking pretty spectacular. I almost think the light in the window helped the fiber come off true to color. Back to whippin' out some weavin', nice. My mystery wool is supposed to be Corriedale...maybe.
I agree about the light! It's an east window, so I'll be keeping that in mind during filming. It really helped!
Your studio is looking very nice so far! Love the bookcase of yarn and fiber. Which do you find yourself going to more to play with new fibers, the blending board or drum carder? Just curious.
It depends on whether I'm sampling, and how portable I need the equipment to be. If I'm just sampling or I want to be somewhere besides right in front of the drum carder, it's definitely the board.
Your videos make me happy:)
Which drum carder do you have? TIA
PRETTY!!!
Thank you!
What a great video - thank you!
I like making rolags but I've really struggled with spinning them without pre drafting but my eew nano is really easy to long draw that I have struggled with in the past so I reckon it's time to spin some now thanks for giving me that inspiration to try again, love and hugs x
How are you doing, Sadie?? I've been thinking about you. I'm glad you got some inspiration!
@@FiberLoveDiary I'm good thanks trish I've not got the big C so all good there just have other stuff going on now which I can't control and I hate not being able to control things lol. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers love and hugs sweet trish xxx
Such pretty fall colors❤
This was a great video! My rolags are usually so tight it's hard to get them off of the dowel. I am getting all of my equipment ready right now so I can dye some top and make some rolags on my drum carder. Your color choices have really inspired me so screw the dinner dishes!!! I must strike while the iron is hot! Have a great evening!
This really made want you dye for some rolags too! I could have "screw the dinner dishes" tattooed on My wrist 🤣🤣
Lisa R Love your Rologs ♥️ Thanks Trish , wish I'd been taught to use my blending board by you ! Took a class at Rhinebeck three years ago - good but taught to draft and roll ... a bit too tightly - not as relaxing to spin & hard to keep the colors lined up when they're trying to escape to inhale 😂♥️
Aww, it's a bummer that you've had some troubles. I think the predrafting really helps keep the colors lined up. It's like you get more control at the beginning instead of the fibers just pulling off around the outside, or the inside, etc!
So cooooool! Thank you for this!1
Love, love, LOVE those colors! Thanks so much for sharing. 🤗
Thanks! I'm not ready for fall, but the colors really made me happy too.
Thank you , I usually get the tight rolags and they are a nightmare to spin, I will use this new to me method. :)
I hope this helps!
The crafting "zen" room is coming along great! Relax - Enjoy the process. It's going to look great when it's finished. I love your choice in colors, and hope to be blending soon. Ty Trish!
Mostly I have enjoyed the process, but it's normal for me to have a "moment" closer to the end of a project. It's getting there!
It is so much fun watching you work
Oh! I need to try this! I've been eyeing a blending board, but I have a small drum carder already!
You're set then! You don't need your drum to turn freely either. It's just nice on the electric ones. ❤️
Love the blending!!!
Gorgeous colors! This would make a beautiful scarf or shawl! Thanks so much for the lesson!
Thank you! They're coming up in the spinning queue!
So fun! Would love to see them spun up!
I think I’ve got it!😅
Very informative and fun to watch! Thanks for explaining rolags and showing the process! I will definitely have to try creating looser rolags in the future
Thank you , thank you, thank you. My rolags from my blending board have always been so hard to spin. I gave up using it as a result. But I just tried it after seeing your video and made my test rolag and it worked beautifully for long draw. I guess I was always making them too tight as I followed the instructions other people gave. So happy now. Thanks again!!
Gorgeous 😍❤️😍
Thanks for this, I’ve just had a lightbulb moment. My blending board rolags are too tight and sticky in places and that’s why I don’t like spinning them. I hope you share when you’ve spun them.
I don't know a darn thing about yarn, spinning, dieing etc but you popped up on my YT feed. I'm so happy to be here. I could watch you on that Drum Carder all day long. It's so satisfying.
Well thank you so much! I live watching people make stuff even if I don't do the art/craft myself. Welcome!!
@@FiberLoveDiary Same here. I live vicariously through those who have talents I don't. Thanks for sharing yours with us. Love from New Jersey.
Thanks for doing this demo for us, I will have to try this as soon as I get all my spinning "ducks" in a row! Hopefully you'll spin these on your channel, they look amazing and you know we will want to see how they turn out!! haha
I'll spin them during a live! If love too hear how you get your ducks in a row. I've never managed it! ❤️
@@FiberLoveDiary I've never managed it either, but a girl can dream!😆
Loved your rolags, beautiful colours. My hubby bought me a blending board, but I rarely use it. I’ll have to get more colours to play with. I usually do raw fleece on hand cards or the new drum carder. This was definitely inspiring! Will look for colours. Thanks!
I love those colors!!! Remember to breathe girl!!❤️❤️❤️
It's mostly good, but that morning was a mess 🤣🤣
I get stressed when my environment is too chaotic too. I hope you can get things sorted out and feel better!
I don’t know how you pick such magical combinations of colours! But you DO! Thank you for sharing! 😊
These came out lovely!
Trish I learn so much from you! Thank you! 💕💕💕
It makes me so happy to read that. Thank you!
I wish I could bop over and add my energy to get that studio tidied up!! It’s easier than cleaning up my own space! 😂😂😂
This was SO helpful. I now see the difference in tension. I have been making tight rolags and getting the dowel out has been terribly difficult. Sometimes the rolag suffers! I will try keep the steps separate, and to wind the dowels without tension next time! Thanks, Trish!
❤❤❤
I don't have a blending board and have never made rolags directly from my drum carder. I can't wait to try this. Thanks for the demo! 😃
So cool!! Thanks for showing the power of the blending board. Can’t wait for weaving!
Just sent this video to my fiber buddy. I had no idea you could use a drum carder the same way you would a blending board! Thank you for the video!