Recycled dogs hair put to good use
You’ve probably seen the JOY dogs, Oscar, Jazmine and Yogi, out and about in the South with their proud owner Sue Green.
JOBURG SOUTH – Sue, never one to let the grass grow under her feet, is now recycling the dogs’ hair.
“The dogs’ hair is long and fluffy and I have to brush them every day. It seemed such a waste discarding all that fluffy hair so I decided to have a go at spinning it,” said Sue. She bought a spinning wheel, took a few lessons and learnt to spin the hair.
“I have to first prepare the hair, which in itself is a big job, as I have to align the hairs for easier spinning. I make two bobbins full then ply it together, using the spinning wheel to make two-ply wool (hair). I then wash it to knit with.
“It doesn’t take a lot of hair to make an item and I have an endless supply, as you can imagine having three hairy dogs,” laughed Sue.
Sue said she washes the made garment in shampoo, not detergent and only after spinning as the oils in the hair help to spin it. “Up to now I’ve made a beanie, which is extremely warm and I’m busy knitting a scarf.
