Article Info

Article Title
Combing Short Fibers
Author
Heavenly Bresser
Issue date
Spring 2026
Issue number
52
Issue topic
Experimental
Description
When sorting a fleece, we generally set aside the shorter fibers for carding (either with hand cards or a drum carder), while the longer fibers are typically combed or spun from the lock. Many reputable sources suggest that a staple length of 4 inches is the minimum for combing. This article experiments with varying fiber lengths under 4 inches to determine the effectiveness of the combing process on those shorter fibers.
Article topic list
experimenting, Coopworth, CVM, Jacob, Rideau Arcott, staple length, combs, fiber prep, fiber considerations, hand combing