How to Spin Dog Fur Into Yarn: Theo the Samoyed Floof

I'm only an amateur wool spinner, knitter, and all around crafts person, but that means anyone can try this! I know it may be a little weird to spin your dogs fur, but I don't think it's much different than spinning other animal wool. If anything, your dogs fur is probably cleaner than other animal fur we wear all the time! I find the process to be time-consuming but perfect for the winter months, where there isn't much else to do. This way, you'll have something made from your dog fur forever and cherish it!

Looking for some more information on the history of dog fur spinning?

You will need:

2 slicker brushes
Shampoo and conditioner

[KarenNLee]

I don't have a spindle or a samoyed, but I'll be darned if I didn't watch this whole video. Brilliant!

[missgeorgie]

I don't have a dog.
I don't knit.
I watched this entire video.
It was oddly satisfying and facinating.

[EtherealOde]

I had a beautiful sweet red Australian Cattle Dog, who had the thickest undercoat you can imagine. Soft and fluffy, his coat was longer than the usual cattle dog and let me tell you he was a walking ball of shed! When he turned 4, I got the idea that someday I would learn to spin as I already knitted and crocheted. So every time he got a brushing, I saved the fur, putting it into a big ziplock bag.

When I would have the time, I would sit with a towel on my lap and pick it, getting out any burrs, and other debris. Then I would pick out all of the top coat hairs, until I was left with only the soft, sort of camel colored undercoat. Back in the bag it went, dating the bag with a sharpie and marking it as unwashed. I forgot to say I did that with every step, so I could keep track of what part of the process I was in. When I had enough to fill the bag, I would gently wash it, but sadly not quite in the quantities you had! LOL!

I also used conditioner to make it soft, and dried it by rolling in a towel just like you do! then it got placed on a clean dry sheet, and I laid it over a drying rack. It usually took only a day, or overnight, as I didn't have as much to work with. When he was 11, he had a sudden stroke in the night, and the next day we took him out for a big double bacon cheeseburger, apple slices, and vanilla ice cream. And then he had his last vet visit, who had cared for him from the time when he was a puppy. He was born on September 18, 2001.

My husband decided to retire early, and we moved to the Canary Islands. This was a month before the Covid breakout, and we had rented a storage room thinking we would come back later and get it shipped (from Michigan!) here. We took 3 suitcases each, and almost half of my largest bag was filled with those carefully collected bags of my dear friend's wool. And I'm glad I packed them, as due to government issues along with the pandemic we haven't been able to go back to gather our belongings. Now I know how to begin the process of making it into yarn. But I think I might start with some wool rovings purchased online. I don't want to waste any of my dog's precious fur.

Thank you for this video. I was crying and smiling through the whole video. Sad, because he is still do deeply missed. But happy that making dog fur yarn is possible.

[hollyrorienetwork]

I think ethical fur trading is making the most of our environment in a way that causes no harm to other creatures. Birds and mice use the shed to make their nests. Even humans like me enjoy snuggling with our fluffy cuddle buddies. Thank you for walking others through the process! I'm grateful for the lesson!

[elhazthorn]

I honestly expected dog fabric from even the most majestic breed to look awful, but I was surprised to see the worn-in blanket at the very end looks legitimately luxurious.

[sociallyexhausted]

I love this idea because I'm a vegan and I think the shock my friends would have if I told them I'm using a dog fur pillow and blankie without context would be the best

[user]

I had a really, really fluffy cat. He had thick, long fur, very soft and smooth, and he had a lot of it.
Our garden was FILLED with chunks of his fluffy fur whenever he was shedding, both from him being outside and shedding there and from me taking his pillows, toys, furniture (and my clothes) outside to clean them off. I'd often see all sorts of birds roaming around, looking for it and collecting it, then they'd fly off with a beak full of fur to build their nest with, only to come back a bit later for more. I think they really liked his fur for nest building, after all it was really long and soft. They must've made some cozy nests from it all.

[margodphd]

This is the only luxury yarn I need - knowing it comes from an animal that is loved and happy makes it superior. Having a part of your pup with you even when away is just ❤

[kristybear]

Now I know why hand spun yarn is so expensive. It is a true labor of love! THANK YOU so much for your video and I would LOVE to see how you dye your yarn using natural methods.

[AnimeShinigami]

You know, this was something an old tribe in Siberia would do with their samoyed? They'd make it into blankets and tent coverings. XD so they were wool, guard and pack animals in one!

[VioletLoralai]

I used to joke when my grandma and I brushed her Border Collies "we could make a sweater with all this fluff" never really thought about actually doing it. This is great c:

[Futurebound_jpg]

Amazing! Ethical fur AND a good way to memorialize your fur baby

[FreyaWarr]

I have 4 huskies and have been saving their fur for over 7 years with the hopes of someday spinning. So, thanks for posting this ❤

[thea]

I would love to see a collaboration between you and @GirlWithTheDogs - using her furnados for knitting would be bomb :D

[okaminess]

Woohoo! I’m from the Navajo Nation. I kinda weave sometimes. Really love fiber arts though. Loving this dog energy.

[causeihave]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I just lost my 14 yr old husky, and I plan to turn my painful feelings and the bags of fur I saved over time into some beautiful yarn. I subbed and look forward to any other content on this topic. Hoping I have enough fur for a sweater that will help me brave Canadian winters next time I visit family. :)

[secession]

30:38 - OMG! I didn't expect it to turn so fluffy like the Samoyed itself 😮

[cynthiaellis]

I have seen yarn made from golden retriever. You have to be in a cold climate to be able to wear a sweater or vest knit from it. It's really warm.

[AnneluvsKatz]

I’ve always been interested in making my own yarn. Was NOT aware you could do it with dog fur! Very cool. Thanks for sharing your talent with us!

[mandychristiansen]

This was fascinating to watch! I fell into a rabbit hole that started with watching a lady carding and spinning her angora rabbits' fur, and ending with this! I would've never thought to use dog hair to make yarn! 🤯 I feel like this is an amazing way to use what would otherwise be considered waste! But there's nothing wrong with your dog's fur, it's soft and beautiful so why not?!