A rolag (
Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic ( gd, GĂ idhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...
: roileag) is a roll of fibre generally used to
spin woollen
Woolen (American English) or woollen (Commonwealth English) is a type of yarn made from carded wool. Woolen yarn is soft, light, stretchy, and full of air. It is thus a good insulator, and makes a good knitting yarn. Woolen yarn is in contrast t ...
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.
References
{{Spinning
Spinning
Fibers