Does anybody spin their Yorkie's fur? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

boopster · 08-26-2011, 05:54 PM

Been away from the forum a few weeks -- all is ok, but life got a little too hectic for a while.

I'm a weaver and a beginning spinner, and in last month's guild meeting one of the members was talking about spinning yarn from her dog's fur. I did a little research and it turns out Yorkie hair is an excellent fiber for spinning.

So last time I took Tallulah for grooming I saved her hair and when I've accumulated enough, I'll try spinning it. I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and if so, what were your results? I'm especially interested in what the ideal hair length is.

BaileysOwner · 08-26-2011, 06:22 PM

I haven't heard of specifically yorkie. But from my English teacher, she spun and made a sweater of Newfoundland fur. I think a yorkie's thin, cottony, or silky hair should work well.

capt_noonie · 08-26-2011, 07:52 PM

How interesting. My sister made a scarf out of wolf hair, but didn't spin the yarn herself. Oh man was that thing scratchy! Yorkie hair would be so nice I'd imagine.

sugarglass · 08-27-2011, 09:24 AM

oooohhh! i WISH Clover has enough fur so i could do this!!!
he barely has enough to cover his own bum!

MamaZiggy · 08-27-2011, 01:55 PM

you know i have actually thought of this, but thought people would think im crazy.. if it were available, i think i'd do it. can it be done with yorkie hair? like another poster said, i've only heard of this with thick hair breeds

dinkyweil · 08-27-2011, 02:12 PM

Make something small if you do not get much fur. Maybe a stylish scarf rather than a whole sweater. If I spun, I would try it. I love the idea.

RoxyLuv · 08-27-2011, 04:58 PM

You'd want hair that is no less than 2" long. Longer would be better. Don't use short stubby hairs like you would get to make second cuts like to even up the hair. It adds to the 'itch factor'.

Spinners will attempt to spin anything. Have even heard of them spinning dryer lint. lol!

celstu1 · 08-27-2011, 05:00 PM

I saw this at a fair last year, the woman said she'd come to your house, groom your dog and take the hair and spin it for you. It would have cost a small fortune for that though! She had hair 'samples' from all different breeds, including yorkie. It was nice and soft.

capt_noonie · 08-28-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoxyLuv

You'd want hair that is no less than 2" long. Longer would be better. Don't use short stubby hairs like you would get to make second cuts like to even up the hair. It adds to the 'itch factor'.

Spinners will attempt to spin anything. Have even heard of them spinning dryer lint. lol!

How would you spin dryer lint? That seems impossible!

RoxyLuv · 08-28-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

How would you spin dryer lint? That seems impossible!

I don't know. I never tried it, but have heard spinners talking about it. Now that one sounded weird/crazy to me! Yorkie hair sounds very normal!

RoxyLuv · 08-28-2011, 03:39 PM

Boopster - Since you're just beginning spinning, learn with an easy fiber like sheep wool. Save up the yorkie hair for when you have gotten the hang of spinning. I'm no pro at spinning by any means, but do remember learning that way back. Haven't done any at all in quite some time. Check with your guild for any pointers. Have fun!

LoALAnna · 08-29-2011, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

How would you spin dryer lint? That seems impossible!

I don't know about spinning yarn from lint, but I saw something on TV (can't remember where) about a woman that makes beautiful "paintings" from dryer lint! She even did a replica of "The Last Supper" ! You'd never know it was from lint.

boopster · 08-30-2011, 01:59 PM

Dryer lint? Huell Howser did a "Visiting With" program on Slater Barron a few years ago. She's a painter and sculptor and has done artwork with lots of different media including some fantastic work with lint.

I don't think you could spin with lint alone because the fibers are so short. You could probably mix it with a longer fiber like wool or core spin with it (spinning different types of fiber on a string, thread or yarn core). But it would likely not be a yarn that could take much handling or washing because the lint fibers would come loose.

@Roxyluv -- good advice. I'm working in wool right now and it's going to take quite some time to collect enough of Tallulah's hair to spin enough yarn for even a small project, anyway. Just something to look forward to.

kjc · 08-30-2011, 02:12 PM

I've read that pet hair fiber is way too hot to wear... one would be better off making a purse, hat, scarf, or mittens as opposed to a sweater or vest. Heard of a lady that will clip your Persian (or similar) cat and make a small purse out of the fur. I think she does dogs too. More as a memorial to have after they pass on...

08-26-2011, 05:54 PM	#1
boopster Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 1,643 Blog Entries: 1	Does anybody spin their Yorkie's fur? Been away from the forum a few weeks -- all is ok, but life got a little too hectic for a while. I'm a weaver and a beginning spinner, and in last month's guild meeting one of the members was talking about spinning yarn from her dog's fur. I did a little research and it turns out Yorkie hair is an excellent fiber for spinning. So last time I took Tallulah for grooming I saved her hair and when I've accumulated enough, I'll try spinning it. I'm wondering if anyone else has done this and if so, what were your results? I'm especially interested in what the ideal hair length is.

08-26-2011, 07:52 PM	#3
capt_noonie www.yorkierescue.com Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Las Vegas & Orange County Posts: 17,408	How interesting. My sister made a scarf out of wolf hair, but didn't spin the yarn herself. Oh man was that thing scratchy! Yorkie hair would be so nice I'd imagine. __________________ The T.U.B. Pack! Toto, Uni, & Bindi RIP Lord Scrappington Montgomery McLimpybottom aka El Lenguo the Handicapped Ninja 10-12-12

08-27-2011, 01:55 PM	#5
MamaZiggy YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 1,637	you know i have actually thought of this, but thought people would think im crazy.. if it were available, i think i'd do it. can it be done with yorkie hair? like another poster said, i've only heard of this with thick hair breeds __________________ Xolani mommy to Ziggy and Toby The two loves of my life

08-27-2011, 04:58 PM	#7
RoxyLuv Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 982 Blog Entries: 1	You'd want hair that is no less than 2" long. Longer would be better. Don't use short stubby hairs like you would get to make second cuts like to even up the hair. It adds to the 'itch factor'. Spinners will attempt to spin anything. Have even heard of them spinning dryer lint. lol! __________________ June ~ Roxy LUV LUV

08-27-2011, 05:00 PM	#8
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	I saw this at a fair last year, the woman said she'd come to your house, groom your dog and take the hair and spin it for you. It would have cost a small fortune for that though! She had hair 'samples' from all different breeds, including yorkie. It was nice and soft. __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

08-26-2011, 06:22 PM	#2
BaileysOwner Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI, United States of America Posts: 99	I haven't heard of specifically yorkie. But from my English teacher, she spun and made a sweater of Newfoundland fur. I think a yorkie's thin, cottony, or silky hair should work well.

08-27-2011, 09:24 AM	#4
sugarglass Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 30	oooohhh! i WISH Clover has enough fur so i could do this!!! he barely has enough to cover his own bum!

08-27-2011, 02:12 PM	#6
dinkyweil YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Nebo, NC Posts: 479	Make something small if you do not get much fur. Maybe a stylish scarf rather than a whole sweater. If I spun, I would try it. I love the idea.

08-28-2011, 03:39 PM	#11
RoxyLuv Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 982 Blog Entries: 1	Boopster - Since you're just beginning spinning, learn with an easy fiber like sheep wool. Save up the yorkie hair for when you have gotten the hang of spinning. I'm no pro at spinning by any means, but do remember learning that way back. Haven't done any at all in quite some time. Check with your guild for any pointers. Have fun! __________________ June ~ Roxy LUV LUV

08-30-2011, 01:59 PM	#13
boopster Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Southern California, USA Posts: 1,643 Blog Entries: 1	Dryer lint? Huell Howser did a "Visiting With" program on Slater Barron a few years ago. She's a painter and sculptor and has done artwork with lots of different media including some fantastic work with lint. I don't think you could spin with lint alone because the fibers are so short. You could probably mix it with a longer fiber like wool or core spin with it (spinning different types of fiber on a string, thread or yarn core). But it would likely not be a yarn that could take much handling or washing because the lint fibers would come loose. @Roxyluv -- good advice. I'm working in wool right now and it's going to take quite some time to collect enough of Tallulah's hair to spin enough yarn for even a small project, anyway. Just something to look forward to.

08-30-2011, 02:12 PM	#14
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,872	I've read that pet hair fiber is way too hot to wear... one would be better off making a purse, hat, scarf, or mittens as opposed to a sweater or vest. Heard of a lady that will clip your Persian (or similar) cat and make a small purse out of the fur. I think she does dogs too. More as a memorial to have after they pass on... __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity