Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Fiber tools: hand carders, one pair

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  • Hand carders are used as a pair to prepare fiber for spinning. By pulling the carders in opposite directions, the wool or cotton fibers align to make spinning easier. While the wooden pieces were handmade, the leather with wires poked through was purchased as "carding cloth" and then nailed to the board. Cards vary in the length and density of the wires, depending on the fineness of the fiber to be carded. This set made by L.S. Watson of Leicester, North Carolina, likely between 1880 and 1940. They are slightly curved, which makes carding easier.