MasadaSpindle
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Expert Boarder
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Spinning Cotton - 2007/06/20 14:09
I don't usually spin cotton from prepared roving rather from hand-picked cotton from the fields. And I use a Takhli support spindle rather than my spinning wheel. What is time-consumming from hand-picked cotton is that they need to be de-seeded, but I have a great technique for removing the fibers from the seed. Rather than trying to pull the seed away from the fibers, hold the seed with the pointed end up and begin pulling the fibers downward being careful not to break the connecting fibers encircling the seed. What you will be doing is pulling the fibers downward maintaining a doughnut shape circle of fibers. Once you have reached the rounded end of the seed, carefully pull the seed out. Break open one area of the doughnut shape slowly and lay it to the side. You now have a perfectly fiber-alligned mini rolag. No carding is needed for this nature-shaped rolag. The fibers draft out easily when spinning with the Takhli unless of course there are a few bits that have come off the seed with the fibers. Usually the spinning produces a fine and very smooth yarn. If you want a textured yarn, leave the bits in.
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