Combing is a method for preparing fiber for spinning by use of combs. The combs used have long metal teeth, and hardly resemble the comb used on hair. They are used in a similar fashion though, with one comb holding the fiber while the other is moved through, slowly transferring the fiber to the moving comb.
Combing the fibers removes the short fibers and arranges the fiber in a flat bundle, with all the fibers going the same direction. This preparation is commonly used to spin a worsted yarn.
The pictures below show Vicky combing fleece at the shop recently -
Uncombed fleece
Ready to comb
fleece after combing
fleece after going through the diz - ready to spin
A diz is used when you are combing the wool into a combed top. A combed top uses only the longest and strongest fibers and leaves the shorter fibers and noils in the comb. Combed top is best used for spinning worsted yarns.
Using the diz is the last step to making a combed top after the combing is complete. The wool is drawn off the comb through the diz, which is a disc or oval made of wood, plastic, or cardboard with a hole in the middle. Thread the fiber through the hole of the diz, and push the diz toward the comb as you draw the wool off the comb to form the top.
We have the fleece, combs and diz for sale at the shop if this seems like a technique you’d like to do.
