Hand Cards: Your First Fibre Prep Tool

One question Kim McKenna often hears is, “How do I choose my first set of hand cards?” In this video, Kim shares a few key things to consider when deciding which hand cards to start with.

This video is part of her Working with Fleece course at the School of SweetGeorgia. In the course, Kim walks through how to choose a raw fleece, scour locks, and prepare wool using both worsted and woollen methods. The course is designed so you can jump in at any point in the process. Whether you’re starting with a raw fleece or just want to explore fibre prep and spinning techniques, there’s something here for every spinner. Below the video, you’ll find notes from this video along with links to more of Kim’s articles and courses, plus ways to join the SweetGeorgia community.

Types of Yarn & Fibre

Start by thinking about the kind of yarns you love to spin and look at the tines per inch (TPI) hand card options to match. For fine fibres, you’ll want 112 TPI hand cards; for medium fibres, 72 TPI is a good match; and for coarser or longwool breeds, 56 TPI is ideal. Kim started with 56 TPI cards because she was working with local breeds like Romney. As she began exploring other fibres, she added more options to her toolkit.

Think about what’s available to you locally or the types of fibres that interest you: Do they lean toward fine wools like Merino or Polwarth, or are they more in the medium to longwool category, like Corriedale or Romney? This can help you decide where to begin but don’t be surprised if you eventually find yourself with more than one pair.

Kim's hand cards
Kim started with 56 TPI cards because she was working with local breeds like Romney.

Hand Cards vs. Wool Combs

You might also be wondering about wool combs. While combs create a very clean worsted prep, they can be expensive and tend to produce more waste. If you’re aiming for a woollen-style yarn, with more air and bounce, hand cards might be a better fit.

Hand cards can also be used to make batts or rolags. You can even diz roving from them, which is quite similar to combed roving, though you’ll need to remove waste and shorter fibres. Combed fibre tends to be more uniform in length, while carded fibre has more variation.

These are just a couple of things to consider between the two fibre tools. Both tools have their strengths, but when it comes to cost and versatility, hand cards make a great starting point.

More Than Just Prep

One of the added benefits of using hand cards is the way they help you get familiar with fibre drafting. As you diz off the cards, you’re already practicing movements that will feel familiar at the wheel. Understanding how fibre behaves before you spin can help you make more intentional choices and might even spark new ideas for your yarn.

No matter where you begin, hand cards are a wonderful first step into fibre prep. They are versatile, easy to learn, and open the door to so many techniques. If you’re curious about processing fibre and preparing it for spinning, this is a great place to start.

kim's wool combs
Kim’s wool combs come as a set: one is mounted in a hackle-style, while the other is free to move in with your hand.

More About Kim McKenna

Need More Help?

Do you have questions about choosing your first set of hand cards? If you’re an All-Access School of SweetGeorgia member, join us in our Community Forums! One of the great perks of being an All-Access member is the opportunity to ask Kim McKenna questions about their articles and courses and connect with fellow members.

Not yet a member of the School? We invite you to come and see what it is all about! Use the code: EXPLORETHESCHOOL to save 15% on an All-Access monthly membership!

We welcome you to join us in our SweetGeorgia Community. This is where we share projects that inspire, have fibre-filled conversations, host make-alongs, and participate in a variety of virtual meetings! We discuss all things knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, machine knitting, and more!

Together, we share, learn, and grow as a community. We would be happy to have you join us!

Original publication: October 5th, 2022; Refreshed: July 15th, 2025  

The post Hand Cards: Your First Fibre Prep Tool appeared first on SweetGeorgia Yarns.



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