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  • Paws 2 SpindlePaws2Spindle@sunny.garden
    Nov 3, 2026, 12:10 AM

    Addendum!

    Here are the sources of the current batch of fiber I'm turning into yarn: Ajo and Vuelker. Both are German Shepherds. Ajo is younger and lighter, source of both washed and unwashed fiber, and Vueller is older, darker one, source of the darker "batt" that is next to be spun.

    Their photos and fur are thanks to @jnye, coming from the wilds of northern Michigan. Those long dark guard hairs do a great job of covering up the lighter undercoat hidden below!

    @maru Note the availability of clean water for splashing in! This might help explain the lack of doggy smell to the fur that you asked about. 😂

    A very dark, mature German Shepherd, Voelker sits in a work area behind a large pile of tan undercoat fur that has just been groomed from him. It's a dramatic contrast, since his guard hair coat is mostly black, with dark brown accents here and there, like around the eyes, and only a hint of the beige undercoat at his shoulder.
    German Shepherds Ajo and Vuelker splash in light waves in shallow waters of what might be the upper Great Lakes, somewhere in northern Michigan. The shallow lakebed is sandy and the shoreline is a solid line of green trees.
    German Shepherds Vuelker and Ajo relax amid a spread of yellow maple leaves on a grassy lawn, pausing in play with toy balls that are black with brightly colored spots. They seem content and happy.
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Replies

  • Marumaru@sunny.garden
    Nov 3, 2026, 11:25 AM

    @Paws2Spindle when I see a dog going in the water I think of the wet-dog-smell haha. But is it soft? It looks very soft. And btw I saw an ad in a spin off magazine from 1997 for samoyed fur (you could buy)

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  • Paws 2 SpindlePaws2Spindle@sunny.garden
    Nov 3, 2026, 2:49 PM

    @maru Depending on the availability of clean water (or, rather the lack thereof) our huskies can start to smell a bit swampy in summer -- especially Tonttu and his love of soaking up as much water as possible regardless of how muddy it is!

    Vuelker and Ajo are clearly well-groomed dogs!

    The undercoat is indeed quite soft. The yarn, sadly, is dense and not squishy in order for it to hold together, but I'm hoping that, like my husky yarn, it will bloom and develop a nice soft halo around the core.

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  • nora.in.stitchespeatbogfaery@sunny.garden
    Nov 4, 2026, 12:22 PM

    @Paws2Spindle serendipitous to see this! Glad I'm not the only one doing this 😅 I have a second batch of dog fur currently drip drying. I have slightly felted the first batch, but hopefully it will come out to be useable.
    And if it isn't, there's PLENTY more to come the two golden retrievers my friend is currently dog-sitting 🤣
    I'll probably be drop-spindling it, although I might try it on the wheel.

    I'm not sure if I'll make anything with it, it might just be a novelty skein for my friend, although I have suggested knitting a hat with it and he didn't seem averse! Will you be making anything with yours?

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