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What is "Spinning"? |
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Spinning is the age-old technique of twisting fibers together to create a strand. It can be done on one's thigh, with a drop spindle, treadle spinning wheel or electric spinning wheel. Regardless the instrument used, the results remain the same. |
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Why can't I buy commercially spun pet yarn in a store? |
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To date, there is no commercial mill equipment designed to handle the extensive variety of pet hair. Each pet fiber has it's own characteristics and therefore needs to be handled uniquely. Therefore, every step of the process of turning your pet's hair into yarn must still be done by hand. |
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How much fiber do I need to make a skein? |
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A skein of yarn can be any weight and length. Commercial yarn is available in a wide range of weights and yardages. It all depends upon how the mill has set up their machines. VIP Fibers yarn however is done by hand, Therefore, skeins from your pet will depend upon how much yarn is produced from the fiber you send and how many yards we put on a bobbin. Each skein will be a different length and weight, and clearly marked on the labels. |
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My pet doesn't shed, can I you still spin it into yarn?
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YES. Just about any fiber can be spun, however the results will vary, depending upon the diameter of the individual hairs. See: http://www.vipfibers.com/facts-about-pet-fiber.htm for more details
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What is the difference between knitting and weaving? |
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Knitting is done with two needles to create interlocking loops. Weaving is done on a frame, with threads or yarn wrapped in a vertical direction (warp) and then yarn is "woven" under and over the vertical threads in a horizontal pattern (weft). Knitted fabric will stretch and give (elastic) whereas woven fabric will lie flat and maintain it's shape. |
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If you don't recommend Core-Spun yarn, why do you offer it? |
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VIP Fibers designed the Core Spun Technique to be able to create a yarn from "unspinnable" fibers for our customers who simply want "something" to remember their pet. The result is a fragile, twine-like yarn that will have an indefinite shedding period and a much higher loss ratio. We do not recommended Core-Spun yarn for keepsakes that would be handled frequently. |
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What is "Carding" and why do you do it? |
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"Carding" is simply the process of "combing" the fibers to prepare them for spinning. Whether done with hand carders or on a drum carder, the process lines up all the fibers in the correct direction to create a well-balanced and even yarn. Debris, dander and mats are also removed during the process. |
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My pet has several colors. Will carding blend all the colors into one shade?
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NO. Hair is not liquid and does not "blend" into one color. Some colors may be more subtle than others and your yarn may appear one shade from a distance, however a multi colored pet will produce a multi colored yarn.
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What does "Ply" mean? |
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When a spinner spins raw fiber into a strand, it is called a "single". The single is spun with the twist in one direction, usually clockwise or to the right. Two singles are then run through the wheel together in the opposite direction of single twist, or to the left. This creates a stronger, balanced 2-ply yarn. If 3 singles strands are used, the result is a 3-ply yarn. |
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What is the difference between a 2-Ply Yarn and a 3-Ply Yarn? |
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A 2-PLY yarn will produce an "oval" shaped yarn, whereas a 3-PLY yarn will produce a more rounded yarn.
2-PLY yarn is suitable for most projects and I believe has a better, softer drape. 3-PLY is used primarily for socks or sturdier garments.
The diagram to the left is a simulation of 2-ply vs. 3-ply yarn if you are looking a the cut end of the yarn. (click on diagram for enlargement) |
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Why do you want me to send a photo of my pet? |
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First and foremost, we like to see who we are working with! Seeing the photos of pets is our favorite part of the VIP Fibers service, as we simply love all the adorable fuzzy faces!
(click the icons on the left for enlargement & links)
Second, we post your pet’s photo on our Invoice Page, even if you have paid for your order. This is a nice section where all visitors to our website can see the beautiful pets we will be spinning.
Third, we process fiber in order of Lot Numbers. When your pet is next in line to be spun, their photo will be posted in the NEXT IN QUEUE BOX on our Home Page. (this allows for a little extra time in the “lime light”) and when your pet is actually being spun, their photo is moved to the NOW SPINNING BOX on our Home Page.
Fourth, your pet's photo is transposed onto our custom skein labels. Each of our custom skein labels contain the following information: Lot #; Breed; Pets Name; skein Yardage; Skein Weight; Washing Instructions and your pet's photo.
Fifth, if you have ordered a finished Fur-Ever Keepsake, we create a custom Gift Card, featuring your pet's photo.
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How should I send my pet's photo? |
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You may email a .jpg photo to us at: info@vipfibers.com Be sure to reference your full name, your pet's name and Work Order Number if available. You may also enclose an actual photo of your pet with the fiber, (photos are returned with your order). Since we scan your photo, it is best not to send us a low resolution picture of your pet. We have a high-resolution scanner which will pick up defects, lines and bits from a poor photo. |
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I don't have a photo of just my pet's head, what should I do? |
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Though a nice head shot is best, any photo that reflects your pet's personality is good. VIP Fibers scans the photos and crops the photo to show only the pet, so the background does not matter. |
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What do you do with the photo when my order is complete? |
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Original photos are returned with your order. All photos are retained on our computers for any future order you may place. At the end of the year, VIP Fibers creates a special calendar for the New Year, featuring photos of all the pets we spun in the prior year. Calendars are mailed free of charge to all customers of whose pets we had the honor of spinning that year as a "Thank You" to our customers. |
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Why does it take up to 8 weeks to get my yarn back? |
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On daily average, VIP Fibers has at least 50 pounds in queue for spinning. Which means by the time your fiber arrives and goes into queue, we have 50 pounds of pet fiber to prepare and spin before your pet's lot number comes up. |
