Rolag

A rolag prepared using handcarders.

A rolag (Scottish Gaelic: roileag) is a roll of fibre generally used to spin woollen yarn. A rolag is created by first carding the fibre, using handcards, and then by gently rolling the fibre off the cards. If properly prepared, a rolag will be uniform in width, distributing the fibres evenly. The word derives from the Scottish Gaelic word for a small roll.

Animal fibres have traditionally been used to create rolags, but today's spinners use many different fibre materials, including manufactured and plant fibres.

Resources

• Hoke, Alexa and Terry Brandt. "Through the Wool Cards", Bittersweet Volume II, No. 4, Summer 1975.

Spinning
Materials	Noil Rolag Roving Sliver Staple Top Tow Woolen Worsted
Techniques	Carding Combing Heckling Long draw Scutching Short draw Twist per inch
Hand spinning tools	Hand spinning Distaff Niddy noddy Nostepinne Spindle Spinning wheel Spinners weasel
Industrial spinning	Cotton-spinning machinery Ring spinning Open end spinning Dref Friction Spinning Magnetic ring spinning Mule spinners' cancer Piece-rate list Spinning frame Spinning jenny Spinning mule Throstle frame Water frame Wool combing machine