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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 Thu. February / 09 / 2012
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Joan D. Kreider, Oct. 24, 1928 – Feb. 7, 2012Uinta County HeraldHer hobbies included oil painting, knitting, crafts of all kinds, golfing and singing. Joan is survived by her daughter, Jan Pecenka, of Evanston; sons, Jeff (Sandy) Pecenka, of Cheyenne, James (Shaunna) Pecenka, of Evanston, Jay (Sandra) Pecenka, ... |
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Learn a New HobbyAbout - News & Issueshobbies resources here on About.com, I resisted putting painting first because it would seem biased. The skills from other crafts are always useful for multimedia too... Seriously, most creative people I know have a particular focus but work across ... |
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Valentine tea to honor membersTimes-Standard... vice president, progression coordinator and is currently parliamentarian. She volunteers for the Sons of Norway, and is a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Eureka. Her hobbies are gardening, cake decorating, arts and crafts, and painting.and more » |
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Farm show resultsReading EagleMary Heffner, Fleetwood: four awards in the canned foods open category; first, baked products open; six awards in the crafts open category; third, hobbies. Julie Yoder, Mohrsville: third, canned foods open; second, baked products open. |
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When it comes to crafts, think beyond needlepointToronto StarI've dabbled with papermaking and encaustic, but never really took them up as hobbies. Lately, however, I've found great joy in exploring crafts with a rich history if not modern day popularity. Late last year, for example, I took an introductory ...and more » |
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Moms Talk: What Is Your Favorite Hobby?Patch.comThe other hobby I have is doing crafts with my children. They may not look that good when we are done, but sometimes it is the act of doing it that really makes it fun. Answer from Mom's Councilmember Emily (mother of 2): Some of my favorite hobbies ... |
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For hobbyists, it's creative playtimeSanta Rosa Press DemocratThe public is also invited to come by and learn more about a range of hobbies, most focused around models, many radio-controlled. The word “hobby” can evoke a limitless range of pastimes, from collecting to scrapbooking, sewing to arts and crafts, ... |
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Victorian era full of Valentine'sRepublican & HeraldWhile antique hair receivers are worth about $30 to $50 and are available at yard sales and flea markets, the hair crafts made from all of this saved hair are hard to find. Victorian women saved their hair in a small ceramic bowl with a hole in its top ...and more » |
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