One of the unique aspects of the wool I provide, in addition to being incredibly soft and bouncy (thanks to our flock of lovely soft shetland sheep) is that I hand process pretty much everything I sell. I think it makes for a nicer experience for the knitter/spinner.
The equipment I use to hand process is starting to show its age, and as I am using the tools of this trade I reflect on the volume of wool that has passed over the guides, cards and hands. I wonder where all that wool is across the world and if it is providing use as a decoration, a source of warmth or some other type of value.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1sx9mTkQXP7YIQjP4krudJbiI6ZojodtQAmryMYtHWVxOQDXpVUjA23OGfQSPGw1fuxa2EQPWMGTXaUzK4ki__VHWQ5LPC6wMwiepP20L3Fba0n8X4hZ35KUzx24jL7W8OLrDi0gzL8/s320/IMG_20180707_075651.jpg) |
Every lock is flicked. My flicker tines get a little misaligned over time. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaY2Ti4LvYR5Vtj54v5rQPMqi0eqGZX3MsZfgjSaN1onsOrS7Dwr5M76iLA0GEZc-uvc4jixDEIBDwZDy9m5z0xtIQwieth51ZW1dUvm1KBUsbTAZwjItQchjbbxkLjF-s7gVpIi29goE/s320/IMG_20180707_075646.jpg) |
Clean dirt build up. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8sItnob7NQZ_6-_7v0BfLguhEkiqsYRQBpNKyOlloIfviMt044A1jvQLRY6UQCJO4iWAgblZyKYczw28J6Hwmhy3FHkxz8iY2QlvD8Qjl7sMdwPpQDl_n29F0yHzl8pfPSxjemjk8iQ/s320/IMG_20180707_075455.jpg) |
That callous on my index finger is from holding locks while they are flicked. I think it could stop a bullet. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3LW_8Vl0VNPf8Ay7eHfdknWTILihtp3qDtKEycBrvzI_8P4uYDSx0yXRncdogWsL2CJM2FiehKVp3G1Z2D4gJMyiaUv6SSE4lGpLmYWv60Q-2oaoWF5feULqL13JTLIluX85TQOePmY/s320/IMG_20180707_075554.jpg) |
This guide has a groove worn into it from the yarn passing over it, it still has some use before I'll need to replace it |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXSspy0FMiHulIIyiCqFMRYIYK-cShxqWqtNjutEDDt505UkDhwuenoVeYn8LJiBIv-EH421oVw39ipv-U_PX0RCfvs_dIn_CmYKoZ0So0BAhZMuKVwdv_aa7jPo9QnEo0OP_d3dJ5Js/s320/IMG_20180707_075533.jpg) |
But this guide has just about worn right through. I'm going to keep using it until one day it will just break in two. I wonder what it will feel like when it happens |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxsjB_rA12dHatXCilb9X2PMokPiDYWxN_skJq-w4VyPL5LDL8ZOWHowya1EIQM9iA0Vl9cSCx1KpBnwlhFtoXIl18Vzl-o_ETPbqGzqYJTGfPa71WVSA_uQWxZRhieGWV2AvBPygRNw/s320/IMG_20180707_075445.jpg) |
My doffing tool is all crooked |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3s3gJbkphSDrK0Gt18zfQV25gXL6XvYUzmOL202TT-g91CcNf3QPkSq_T9HGuoPhU55s6FJDJKTWyXmYix1YxlkvuaajZVFtQJhHVue2cNSMSLCJEtQfgM7s7456BmULo_1CQDN5OxXk/s320/IMG_20180707_075350.jpg) |
I use my paddle cards to pack the wool onto my drum carder like so |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDK5of6aSrzEQfUASZu9uciKicFKoYmGMUNhOEzPMe_Zv49cqS3vrQ2jaHFD-Q-hnoLtScqcmxCqugPrbxnwXyG5HA-v3DFL03BWsdxkUKDJU_kRCI65ZbnVg_xt10ZuTMJZ6VERRaSk/s320/IMG_20180707_075317.jpg) |
And one day realized that it was getting grooves worn into the back of it from the tines on the drum carder. This observation is what inspired this post. |