Spinners have a lot of fiber options for their yarns. They can choose the type of fiber and fiber prep best suited for a particular project. As you decide on your fiber, also consider staple length—the average length of the fibers you're spinning, which determines how far apart you'll hold your hands as you draft. Usually wool fibers with longer staple lengths work better for beginning spinners; look for sheep breeds like Targhee, BFL (Blue-faced Leicester), or Corriedale.
Fiber Types
- Protein fibers come from animals such as sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, silkworms, camels, yaks, or musk oxen. Most protein fiber yarns have to be handwashed, unless the wool has been specially treated to prevent shrinking (superwash wool).
- Cellulose fibers come from plant stems (linen, hemp, or ramie) or the plant's flower (cotton bolls).
- Manufactured fibers come from plant sources that are chemically broken down, then extruded into long, very fine strands—bamboo and rayon are common examples.
- Synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, come from plastics.
- Blended fibers combine the best (and sometimes the worst) qualities of their sources. Handspun sock yarns often combine nylon with a superwash wool. The protein fiber adds breathability; the nylon adds strength; superwash wool can be machine-washed.
Fiber Preps (Preparations)
- In combed fiber preps, all the individual strands have been perfectly aligned. This prep is most commonly called top. Spinners can create top with combs and they can purchase commercial top.
- In carded preps, the individual strands will crisscross each other. This prep will be called different things depending on the equipment that makes it. Spinners can make rolags or punis on hand carders or blending boards, or wider batts on drum carders. Fiber mills sell their carded preps as roving or sliver.
Traditionally, combed preps were used to create worsted-style yarns and carded preps made woollen-style yarns. Today's spinners have loosened these rules: you can mix and match drafting methods with any of these fiber preps. The fiber prep determines the name—if you use a woollen drafting with combed top, you're making a semi-worsted yarn.
Resources
Beginning Spinning on a Wheel, online course taught by Stephanie Flynn.
Robson, Deborah, and Carol Ekarius. The Field Guide to Fleece.
Robson, Deborah, and Carol Ekarius. The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook.