What Is Carding Cloth?
Carding cloth is the foundation of every great fiber preparation tool. It consists of a durable, multi-layered foundation embedded with hundreds of precisely angled wire teeth, designed to gently separate, straighten, and blend raw fibers into a smooth, ready-to-spin cloud.
Choosing the right cloth matters because the density of these teeth determines how well your carder handles different fibers. Whether you are working with fine alpaca or robust wool, the quality of your carding cloth ensures a consistent, high-quality result every time you sit down to create.
Technical Specifications
Teeth Per Inch (TPI)
54 TPI: Ideal for coarse to medium wools and locks.
72 TPI: Our most popular all-purpose cloth for standard fibers. So versatile!
90 TPI: Perfect for fine fibers like alpaca, silk, and merino.
120 TPI: Designed for ultra-fine fibers and delicate blending.
Selection Guide
Here's a little info on carding cloth to help you determine which cloth you need on your drum carder. TPI refers to "teeth per square inch". The higher the number, the more densely packed the tines/points are on the carding cloth. Also, the lower the TPI of the carding cloth the larger the diameter of the wire, with the coarsest TPI cloth having the largest (thus stiffest) diameter wire. The wire length is pretty much standard at .5 inches. Your drum carder will come with the appropriate cloth on the licker in, you just need to decide what you want on the big drum. The carding cloth on your carder will be listed as two numbers. For example: 90/120.........the first number is the cloth tpi for your licker in, the second number is the cloth tpi for the big drum. How do you decide?? Ask yourself these questions:
What type of fiber preps do I want to make/like to spin?
- smooth, a little textured, highly textured, or do you like it all??
What types of base fibers do I plan on working with?
- Super Fine, Fine, Medium, or Coarse fleece, mill combed top, mohair, angora (bunny), alpaca, etc.
Things to remember when carding fleece:
-
The longer the staple, the harder to break the batt. Most folks card fiber with a staple length of under 6".
-
It is much harder to get really smooth batts from fleece unless the fleece is prepared ahead of time, fed in very thin small bits, and carded very very slowly so it does not create nepps (this applies to fine fleece in particular). To produce super smooth batts easily we suggest using mill combed top.
We've posted pictures of each type of cloth so you can see the difference up close along with a brief description of what we and our customers have found concerning each type of cloth as to fibers used, types of prep (smooth to textured).
Care and Maintenance
1
Cleaning the Teeth
Use a cleaning brush or flick carder to gently lift out trapped fibers. Brush as much as possible in the direction of the teeth to avoid bending them. Use the pick and hemostats included with your carder to clean out around the shafts/axels, especially around the wooden pulleys on left side of carders. (The Big Tom' s do not have wooden pulleys)
2
Managing Moisture
If the cloth gets damp, pat the backing dry with a soft cloth immediately. Allow it to air dry thoroughly in a climate-controlled area before storing.
3
Safe Storage
Store your carding equipment in a dry, cool place away from direct sunlight. Covering the cloth when not in use helps prevent dust buildup.
4
Inspect Regularly
Check for bent wires or signs of rust occasionally. Early maintenance ensures your carding cloth lasts for years of beautiful fiber art.
Common Questions
When should I replace cloth?
Cloth should be replaced if you notice persistent tooth misalignment, significant rusting, or if the backing starts to delaminate or lose its tension.
What are the signs of wear?
Look for 'hooked' teeth that snag fiber, missing teeth, or a backing that has become brittle and stiff rather than supple and firm.
Is it compatible with all tools?
Our carding cloth is specifically designed to fit the full range of Fancy Kitty drum carders and blending tools for a perfect, secure fit.
What are installation basics?
Ensure the drum surface is clean, stretch the cloth tightly as you wrap, and secure edges with the provided industrial-strength staples or adhesive.
Can I use different cloth on one carder?
While possible, we recommend consistent cloth density on a single drum to ensure even fiber loading and smooth rotation during carding.
How do I clean the teeth?
Use a cleaning brush or a flickering tool specifically designed for carding cloth to lift debris without bending the delicate metal teeth.
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