 |
Using Your Dogs Hair
Dog hair (called chiengora) can be spun into yarn, much like
sheep's wool, alpaca, or any other animal fiber. The process is
the same. Dust and oils can be washed out of the spun hair, so
there is no "doggie odor." Amazingly, the spun yarn is warmer
than wool, easy to care for, and has an angora-like fluffy
texture. Until recent times, most dog owners didn't realize the
beauty of the colors and texture of their dog's hair could be
used in the manner of sheep's wool.
It's really as easy as brushing your dog. There are some
guidelines to getting the best and softest yarn possible. When
brushing your dog, be sure to collect from the parts where the
hair is the longest and softest. This is undercoat. Hair must be
2 inches or longer for best results. Hair should be clean and
dry, with no grass or debris in it. Brush the hair from the
longest, softest parts of the dog, saving only this hair. It is
the undercoat you want, not the coarse top coat. Clippings will
not work well for spinning with dogs that have double coats.
There is too much guard hair, and the yarn quality will not be as
nice as the pure undercoat.
Remove dog hair from the brush and save it in a paper bag.
Save hair that is completely dry, and as clean as possible. (Do
not attempt to clean it once it is brushed off the dog!) Bathe
your dog first, and brush when the hair is dry. Paper allows the
fiber to "breathe" and not be trapped with oils in a plastic bag.
The best way to store the hair from brushings, is in a paper
sack, or cloth bag, such as a pillowcase. Despite what your
mother or grandmother used to do, NEVER USE MOTH BALLS! Moth
balls contain a toxic chemical that is dangerous to breathe, and
it is impossible to remove the mothball smell from the hair. How
much do you save? It depends on what will be made with the
finished yarn. Most small projects use about 6 ounces of
hair.
Transforming dog hair into yarn takes much time and care.
First, the yarn is evaluated for spinning. Depending on length,
and how the yarn will be used, I determine if the hair needs
blending with a soft merino wool. Blending minimizes shedding
out, and produces a more durable yarn. Although most people want
100% of their dog's hair to be used in a product, this isn't
always possible. The dog's color can still be seen and the fluffy
texture is still present in the finished yarn.
From this point, the process is the same as spinning sheep's
woolI use a drum carder for the blending process. This carder has
metal teeth on it, that comb the wool, so the fibers are lined up
and ready for spinning. The fiber is lifted off the drum carder,
loosely rolled up, and set aside by the spinning wheel.
The yarn is spun into single strands on a spinning wheel, and
then plied for strength. The yarn is then cleaned by hand, using
a mild conditioning detergent or dog shampoo, and air dried. It
is then wound into balls or skeins and is then ready to be
knitted or crocheted into a scarf, hat, ornament, and many other
things.
Because it is handcrafted, and personal, a chiengora gift
makes a sentimental remembrance. It is better to begin collecting
hair while your pet is healthy and younger. People have often
told me that it is comforting to have a soft, "pettable" scarf,
hat, teddy bear, or other item made from their dog's hair, and it
brings back happy memories.
Fran Pike spins and knits with luxury fibers, including
angora, alpaca and "chiengora." She founded Rover's Comb to
enable people to have beautiful keepsakes made from their dog's
long, brushed hair. Her work is showcased at http://www.roverscomb.com
 MORE RESOURCES updated Tue. March / 09 / 2021
|
|
|
Related Hobbies - Crafts articles:
A Look At Cigar
Humidors
Cigar humidors are storage units designed to hold, preserve
and display a collection of cigars. They come in varying
shapes and sizes, and can typically be custom made to suit
the tastes of the owner.
A Brief History of
Japanese Daruma Dolls
Daruma dolls are representations of the historical Indian
priest Bodhidharma, a sage who traveled throughout Japan
and China in the 5th or 6th century AD. Bodhidharma is
credited with establishing Chan Buddhism in China and Zen
Buddhism in Japan.
History of Kokeshi
Wooden Dolls from Japan
Little is known of the early history of Kokeshi Japanese
Wooden Dolls. One school of thought believes that Kokeshi
dolls have their origins in the practice of spiritualist
religion.
Butterfly Candle
Holders
Butterfly candle holders are easy to make and a great gift
idea. The materials are very inexpensive, and you can use
your imagination for a variety of designs.
The ABCs of
Ceramics
Ceramics can be delicate and decorative or unrefined and
utilitarian. Bone china, porcelain, stoneware and
earthenware - this month we'll review them all.
The Art of Cutting and
Cropping for Your New Scrapbook
Often photographs aren't quite the right shape and size or
the photographic image is improperly centered. Having
oversized or off centered photographs creates an air of
being unprofessional.
Getting Started With
Radio Control Cars
Take note that you need to decide whether you want a radio
control nitro or gas car or perhaps one that has an
electric engine. You could purchase either one which is
ready to run (rtr) or a kit.
10 Slam-Dunk Crafts For
Little Kids -- And Bigger Kids Too!
Crafting with young children really isn't about creating
something in particular. Most young children don't have the
foresight to see what a project is going to be.
You Are A Diamond So
Scrapbook About Yourself
As a devoted scrapper, you probably gain satisfaction from
scrapbooking about others.Oftentimes, you are the one
glaring missing light in your scrapbook albums.
Where Antiques Originate
and How You Can Find Them
It's important to understand where antiques originate. Many
antique buyers make the mistake of mis-understanding the
process by which antique items are found.
Finding The Best Display
Case For Your Treasures
Maybe you have a bunch of collectibles sitting in your
closet gathering dust. Or perhaps you've been storing your
fine China in the kitchen cupboards instead of a hutch.
Bartering: A Modern Day
Phenomenon
Back in the early days of America, families didn't have
much in the form of money. What they did have was skill,
creativity, and a desire to help each other out.
4 Fun Ways to Display
Photos
From baby pictures to vacation pictures, images of family
and friends are treasures that are kept for a lifetime.
They make great gifts and add cheer and warmth to the
interiors of our homes.
What Is A Reverse
Painting?
Welcome to the world of Reverse Painting on Glass. Reverse
painting on glass has been considered a popular 'art
of the people' for many centuries.
Rubber Stamps and
Scrapbooking - Keep Kids Busy with Crafts This
Summer
They're out of school and back to torment the neighborhood
this summer. You remember the days.
Leather Work
Tips
For leather work, consider the basics: an awl and spare
point, a retractable X-acto knife and spare blades, a
retractable knife with a break-off blade and a rotary
punch. In addition, you'll need needles, a lump of beeswax
and some waxed linen thread.
Scrapbooking Those
Memories!
You will find scrapbook supplies for photos and pictures in
a craft store or online. Scrapbooks are used to combine
photos and pictures to make a picture story album.
Woodworking Tools: Right
Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 2
Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 2 - Tools For
Cutting. A civilization's maturity and intelligence is
judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its
tools. When it comes to woodworking, the human race is
quite advanced.
Woodworking Tools: Right
Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 3
Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 3 - Tools For
Measuring & Marking. A civilization's maturity and
intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and
sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking,
the human race is quite advanced.
The Easy Way to Make a
Club Logo
Are you a member of a club or association? Have you ever
thought how much better your letterheads would look with
your own club logo? How about a sign for your club with
your logo and club name on it? Well, it is really very easy
to make up your own logo. It will be unique to your club
too.
|
|
