Chiengora?

[natalie058]

My mom just got back from my dog's groomers today, and she gave her a big bag full of dog hair for me!! Normally I would be grossed out by it, but since I just got my first spindle...

 

I'm wondering how I need to prepare this before spinning it. It's all clean, but not brushed, and there's bits of grass and stuff in it... I guess it could be spun as is for a "raw" look, but I'd prefer to get it as easy as possible for me to spin. It's all kinds of different hair, too - looks like some lab/retreiver, definitely some lap dog hair - none of it is very coarse, though.

 

So, what do I need to get? Any websites you could refer me to? Am I getting in over my head??

[Vik]

Sorry Natalie, I can't help... I've never done something like this. Will you turn the dogs hair into yarn?

[threeolivemartini]

i would think you would need carders just like you would do wool.. card it so it is combed and running the same direction ..

[natalie058]

Here's a pic of my haul:

[threeolivemartini]

that looks soooo soft..

[jacqui]

Hi Natalie well if you have hand cards or a flicker (slicker type) brush you can brush it out with that or if you have a friend or a local spinning group with a drumcarder you can mix the lot through into some lovely soft batts and make youself some rovings. Or buy yourself a dog comb and just comb it all out is probably the cheapest solution for you. When you spin it it will need some extra twist to hold it ok. Have fun !

[goldi316]

Hi Natalie - you might be able to get some tips and ideas from this site, they specialize in spinning dog hair. I know there is a page where they describe how they do it, might be a good place to start.

[xantha]

you'll want to get the guard hairs out (as many as you can) before spinning. Dog combs will work for this. Once that's done, you're pretty much set!

 

The Siberian Husky fuzz my good friend sends me she has already pulled most of the guard hairs out, so I can just spin it as is.

 

Good luck! it looks soft!

[RebeccaVelasquez]

i'm gonna be a bit of a downer on this.

 

there are only certain dog breeds that are good for spinning. most dogs with "hair" instead of a wooly coat do not spin well. there are also breeds that retain that 'wet dog' smell... no matter how often it gets washed.

 

if you will be getting the fluff on a regular basis.. carders would definitely be a good investment.

 

here are some good resources:

Yes, it's made from my dogs fur

Putting on the dog

 

by no means am i telling you not to give it a go! i'm just saying a little research won't hurt. check your library. mine will order books for me if they don't have what i want. maybe yours will too?

[sanityraines]

Wow! I just happened across this thread and I'm sooooo thrilled. I've been considering spinning, but fleece is sooo expensive. I have two lap dogs that are perfect (pomeranium and a shi-tzu/pom mix). Their hair is perfect as soon as I take them in to get groomed. I've been doing research on the net and found some really useful pages! Not sure if anyone else found them, but here they are:

 

http://www.mdnpd.com/pd/

http://www.bbkirk.com/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Your-Dogs-Hair&id=61671

 

I also read there was some concern about selling "dog fur" but I have to admit, every place I've read chiengora has been referred to as "dog hair" and I think that makes a difference for some reason. There are quite a few people up here in the NW who spin and sell this without any problem. But I would advise anybody to do the legal research and speak to some in the law industry...and, of course...LABEL everything.

[waponswa]

Waht kind of dog hair do you have in that bag? I've thought about asking my dog groomer to save some. I'm also interested in learning more. As previously posted, I've also heard that some dog hair retains the doggy smell. I'd like to research more and share on the subject.

 

When I was in fiber arts class, at college, there was a woman whose mother spun and knit. She had the most beautiful, fluffy, puffy, white mittens that her mother had made from Samoyed hair. She was lucky enough to live near a breeder who saved the hair for her. I have a poodle with extra soft curly hair. Usually we keep him pretty short, but I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't thought about growing his hair out and having him "sheared".

 

:2sheepWaponswa

[lilpug]

Hey you could crochet dogs

[RosemaryP.]

I just found this thread. I have/had dogs with wonderful fur, and I wondered what I could do with it. Now I do thanks to the tips offered. I wonder if I could spin my cat's fur. I have two black long hairs that shed constantly. I might as well put them "to work".

[trin]

 

I also read there was some concern about selling "dog fur" but I have to admit, every place I've read chiengora has been referred to as "dog hair" and I think that makes a difference for some reason. There are quite a few people up here in the NW who spin and sell this without any problem. But I would advise anybody to do the legal research and speak to some in the law industry...and, of course...LABEL everything.

 

Dog FUR is an issue, because it's the skin & fur of a dog that has been killed, so it's an animal rights/truth in advertising issue.

 

Dog hair/Chiengora is a NON issue, as 1) you'll have it clearly identified and 2) No living beings (except maybe, fleas or the dog groomer?) were harmed in the making of the yarn.

 

I've been collecting my cats' brushings in a well sealed container to send to a spinner (Spazzspun on ETSY), I had a small batch done recently and I'm tickled with it... Keep in mind that some dog's, and some cat's fuzz will need to be blended with wool or a different fiber <husky-wool> for it to bind to .

[Lado]

I like to spin chiengora. Pure-bred dogs in my area are very precious, well-groomed, washed with good shampoo, brushed etc. It is very important to know dog's owner - he must be careful. I have a book of Carol Kroll about dog fluff spinning and do as described. My yarn smells like angel's feather, thank you, Carol. Here is my yarn:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6280815

[Spinner]

"Putting on the Dog is my book! I just joined this message board today. What an interesting place this is! (And Lado, thanks for the kind words.)

Spinner

[Lado]

Oh, hi, Spinner! Nice to meet you here!

[Spinner]

Lado, the items in your shop are GORGEOUS! (I hearted you.)

Etsy is such a great place, isn't it? I really enjoy being there.

[Lado]

Thank you! I'm trying to list there some interesting items always. By the way, I was so impressed by your poncho that begun my own big project with a coat.

[Happy_Hooker]

I want to do this! Like you said, put em to work!!! I have a labrador/rott mix, but his hair is SO soft... somewhere between 1.5 and 2"... It is a tough call... right on the cusp of workable. I would probably want to at least try to do it myself before I send it out...

 

I read on one of the sites I checked out that you should not seal the hair, but let it breathe... this helps with the doggy smell... Sealing it will only hold that in.

[Lado]

it is true

[Montana Mommy]

I have spun Samoyed fluff, right from the clouds instead of carding. I did try to run it through my drum carder but it ended up being easier to just hold bunches of it in my lap and spin it into a woolen yarn.

 

Here is what I ended up with: http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=6984860

[Tropical Twister]

I just posted an article on my blog http://Seabreezespinners.com/'>http://Seabreezespinners.com/ featuring my rescued, "mostly" border collie, Lacy and how to spin chiengora, dog hair. I show you how. If you don't have access to a drum carder, you can use hand carders. I'm self-taught so it's not a real technical explaination but it works for me.

 

Tropical Twister

http://Seabreezespinners.com

[Tropical Twister]

 

Finished my shawl.

Come visit Lacy and I at http://Seabreezespinners.com/ where I provide sept by step instructions for creating chiengora shawl.

 

Tropical Twister

[Tropical Twister]

Please consider adding to your list:

http://Seabreezespinners.com/

Detailed instructions with lots of photos as to how to create chiengora (dog hair) yarn.

Tropical Twister