Introduction to Combing
Combed top is a fiber preparation most often seen in those luscious braids we spinners love so much. This fiber preparation is marked by having all the fibers perfectly parallel to each other, and is ideal for worsted-style spinning—although you don’t have to spin it that way! Combed top can also be prepared by hand, and we’ve collected Spin Off’s best combing articles, videos, ebooks, and more on this topic page.
When it comes to combing fiber, even experienced spinners can get a little apprehensive. Those tines are sharp, and can be dangerous when wielded incorrectly! But with a little practice—and an up-to-date tetanus shot—combing can be a rewarding way to process your fiber.
Whether you are combing from fleece you’ve raised, shorn, and scoured yourself, you like to comb commercial top for interesting color blends, or somewhere in between, these posts have everything you need to know!
Getting Started
- For the absolute beginner who wants to start right away, discover A Versatile and Inexpensive Fiber Tool: The Dog Comb.
- If you're ready to venture into wool combs but don’t want big, heavy combs, try Spinning Basics: Minicombs, which will teach you good form for using any wool comb.
A two-pitch set of minicombs is a great introduction to hand combing fiber. Photo by Matt Graves
A hackle offers more capacity and interesting design opportunities. Photo by Suzy Brown*
Explore More
- A hackle offers interesting opportunities for color blending, while maintaining the smooth structure of your combed top. Try Blending Color on a Hackle.
- Want to dive deeper? Find a collection of articles and tutorials in Combing: A Spinner's Guide eBook.
Watch How It's Done
In Combing Fiber, expert instructor Robin Russo covers combing basics and much, much more.
- You'll see a wide range of tools in action, from simple pet combs to hand-held Viking combs, to Russian paddle combs, to classic English combs.
- You'll learn that combing is perfect for cleaning out guard hairs and debris, for blending fibers of similar length, and for true worsted spinning.
- You'll see how different combs are appropriate for different fibers, and how to choose the kind that's best for you.
- You'll learn important guidelines for safety and for equipment care and maintenance.
Wool combs are the perfect tool for a worsted preparation. Photo by Matt Graves