Carding Fiber
Carding is the heart of fiber processing! As your fiber proceeds through the carding machine, it is transformed from fleece into a product that is more organized and that is ready to be spun by hand or to move on to pindrafting and spinning. Our carding machine is the largest piece of equipment in our mill. We had our carder custom-designed with an over-sized doffer and extra worker rollers to do a better job for you! After washing/drying/picking, your fiber is fed into the carding machine and travels through a series of rollers. The rollers are "clothed" with little metal pins, rather like those on a dog's slicker comb. The action of the carding cloth, combined with the rollers, helps dislodge more vegetation from the fiber, and also straightens the fibers out so they are more lined up. You may wish carding to be the final step in the preparation of your fiber if you or your customers are handspinners. You have several choices for the final form of your carded fiber. See the list below for options for your carded fiber! If you wish, your fiber can be processed further through pindrafting or spinning.
Carding Options
Roving
Choose this option if you would like your fiber to be processed into carded roving for spinning, Our standard roving is packed in a long coil inside of bags.
Choose this option if you would like your fiber to be processed into carded roving for spinning, Our standard roving is packed in a long coil inside of bags.
Batts
You may prefer your carded fiber to be in the form of batts. A batt is a large rectangle of carded fiber. Some spinners prefer to spin from batts, and crafters who will be using the fiber for felting may also prefer this form. Our batts measure about 2' x 5', and contain about one pound of fiber. However, we may add more or less fiber per batt, according to your preferences.
You may prefer your carded fiber to be in the form of batts. A batt is a large rectangle of carded fiber. Some spinners prefer to spin from batts, and crafters who will be using the fiber for felting may also prefer this form. Our batts measure about 2' x 5', and contain about one pound of fiber. However, we may add more or less fiber per batt, according to your preferences.
Cloud
A "cloud" is created when fiber is carded, but not organized into roving; the carded cloud simply falls into a box placed at the end of the carder. Some customers prefer to "spin from the cloud," and some types of fiber (for example, very short-stapled fiber) may be too short to be processed into roving on our machinery, but still may be handspun from a cloud. If you choose to have your fiber processed into a cloud, it will be shipped to you in a bag.
NOTE; A few customers prefer cloud that is processed only by the picker, not the carding machine. But unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume you would like carded cloud.
A "cloud" is created when fiber is carded, but not organized into roving; the carded cloud simply falls into a box placed at the end of the carder. Some customers prefer to "spin from the cloud," and some types of fiber (for example, very short-stapled fiber) may be too short to be processed into roving on our machinery, but still may be handspun from a cloud. If you choose to have your fiber processed into a cloud, it will be shipped to you in a bag.
NOTE; A few customers prefer cloud that is processed only by the picker, not the carding machine. But unless you tell us otherwise, we will assume you would like carded cloud.
