How To: Blending Fiber With a Blending Board

Blending boards are a great tool used for custom fiber blends for spinning. You can use a variety of fibers such as wool, silk, angora, or other fibers, a blending board lets you mix colors and textures with precision. In no time we can create a beautiful one of a kind fiber for so many uses! Let's get started. 

SUPPLIES

• A blending board (essentially a flat carder) we love this one which is also made right here in our woodshop! - Paradise Fibers Blending Board 
• Fiber of your choice (wool, silk, etc.)
• Hand carders or a flicker brush
• Dowel or blending board tools- our paradise fibers board includes some of these so it's a great starter kit! 
• Clean workspace
• Storage container for finished rolags

HOW TO: 

     1. Prepare Your Workspace
Set up your blending board at a comfortable angle. Some boards come with stands, while others can be propped against a table edge. Ensure good lighting and keep your fibers within easy reach.

     2. Put on your First Layer
- loosely grab your fiber and begin at the bottom of the board
- Use gentle, brushing motions to load small amounts of fiber at a time. 
- Work from bottom to top, overlapping slightly so everything blends together
- Keep the fiber layer thin and even
- Brush in the direction of the teeth

     3. Add Additional Layers
- For color blending, add contrasting colors in subsequent layers and For texture, incorporate different fiber types, have fun and play around with different fibers. There are no rules here- only the limits of your own creativity!
- Use your hand carders or flicker brush to gently pat down each layer
- Continue until you have the desired blend and thickness

     4. Create Your Rolag
- Place your dowel at the bottom edge of the board
- Using gentle pressure, roll the fiber up toward the top and Keep tension even across the width
- When you reach the top, carefully lift the fiber off the board

You're done! You now have a one of a kind, beautiful blended fiber ready to use for so many things. 

 Pro Tips
- Start with clean, well-prepared fiber
- Less is more - don't overload the board
- When blending colors, use small amounts of each color for best results
- Clean your board between different fiber types or colors
- Practice consistent pressure for even results

Sometimes just watching some videos on blending can always ignite that creative spark to get you going and keep you inspired! Check out some of these videos below to get some ideas- and if you ask me it's also very calming and satisfying to watch the blending process!

We actually have a whole playlist of blending fiber so make sure to take a peek over on our Youtube! - YOUTUBE CHANNEL

PRO TIPS:

Maintenance
Keep your blending board clean and store it in a dust-free environment. Occasionally clean the teeth with a soft brush and consider applying a light coat of mineral oil to prevent rust.

With practice, you'll develop a feel for how much fiber to use and how much pressure to apply. Experiment with different fiber combinations to create your own unique blends for spinning!