How to Make your Own Fiber Hackle

Having alpacas means having fiber…LOTS of fiber…and deciding what to do with that fiber.

Even though I studied textiles, pattern drafting and tailoring and had my own dressmaking business for years, I had to learn from the ground up (literally!) how fiber was skirted, then washed, then spun into yarn, which was woven, knitted or felted into fabric, and which would ultimately be made into garments.

I have taken or participated in every fiber sorting, classing, spinning and weaving workshop within driving distance or if none were available, on the internet. I’m also part of some pretty awesome Facebook fiber groups (you know who you are!) where I have learned from folks with years of experience under their belts who are eager and patient enough to share with me.

Proper preparation with the proper tools is key to quality finished items.

Some of these tools are pretty pricey and the further you get into processing your own fiber, you learn what works for you, what you like to do and what you don’t like to do, along with what you absolutely need and what you don’t need and what you might be able to make yourself. The cost of supplies involved in trial and error can add up quickly.

I've purchased hand cards, hand combs, a spinning wheel, (or two) and a drum carder, but I didn't have a hackle. I researched hackles a bit in person by dragging my family to the Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival (one of the oldest in the country) for over 25 years and online, I decided that I'd give making one myself a go.

My family mottos are “Use what you have to make what you need” and “Make do, do over, or do without”. I didn't want to do without a fiber hackle. I could make larger fiber nests from my alpaca fiber and maybe even my own bumps.

What is a Hackle? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a hackle is “a comb or board with long metal teeth for dressing flax, hemp, or jute” and in my case, alpaca fiber.

Here’s how I did it. I think the total cost was around $20 when I made mine in 2022.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• A 36″ 2×2 piece of wood-I used oak but you could use poplar. I think pine might be too soft
• 2 boxes of 16d 3.5″ long finishing nails (84 per box- you are going to drill 168 holes!)
• 1- 2 oz bottle of Elmer’s Glue-All Max (what my hardware store recommended and since my mom worked for Borden’s a brand I love!
• Pencil
• Drill
• 3/32 drill bit, or what you find fits your nail best (I had to fiddle around and experiment)
• Clamps
• Sandpaper
• Saw horses or table
• A shorter piece of lumber (about a 2 foot piece) to align the nails

* PRO TIP: I made my hackle 30″ long because I wanted to make monster nests-less joining when spinning. You can cut your wood to make a shorter hackle. A longer hackle can also allow you to load longer fibers on one end and as you get to the bottom of the comb where the fibers may be slightly shorter in length, load those on the other end.