Can you use a regular blender over a coffe grinder? What type of materials can you make dubbing out of? Would regular acrylic yarn work? I just bought a dubbing dispenser by Wapsi (Crawdad); I would like to get pretty near this texture. What types of yarn can you use? Anyone out there making there own – if so, does it take long? What are the benefits of grinding the materials compared to a wet blend. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.
Always used a coffee grinder (picked up a cheap one at WMart) as opposed to blender - compact, easy to use, easy to clean out (old dryer anti-static sheets); never messed around with wet-blending, got the results I needed without adding H2O. If you use yarn, just cut it up into manageable lengths (1/2" or so) and run it through the grinder. If it’s multply yarn, you would probably want to separate the plys to make it a little easier on the grinder. You can add dubbing to this (I like rabbit because it acts a a nice binder and you can find it in just about any color you could imagine), add some antron for additional sparkle, etc - play around with small portions until you find the consistency/color that you like. Don’t think I’ve ever made it through local craft store without stopping by the yarn section to see what’s there.
Regards,
ScottP
I have an old Osterizer with a pint jar attachment that is perfect. I think the regular blender pitcher is too big for dry blending small anounts.
Dry blending just takes a few seconds and your done. No drying time.
Jay
I’m using an Osterizer also. It works real well. I didn’t think to attach something smaller than the pitcher. I even took some hair from my dog when she sheds, cut it and blend it. Worked pretty well. Also have done several colors of fleece. That worked well also.
I picked up a coffee grinder at Big Lots for $11.00 and it works great. Easy to use and clean up takes 5 seconds. I tried the blender routine and it was messy and a real hassle to me. As far as dubbing materials, you can play around with almost any material. I use different yarns either by themselves or mixed with natural fur such as rabbit. Another great source of dubbing material is the carpet sample boards that they give you when you’re shopping for carpet. I have two boards with 2X3 inch pieces of carpet in about 30 colors.
Good luck.
Jim Smith
Know of a few professional tiers from around Helena that use a normal blender so that they can have a large volume of dubbing a consistant shade easily and have their recipes for that size but all I’ve used myself is the coffee grinder. I have seen the blender used though and it worked fine just made a lot of dubbing…
Hi GQualls,
James Smith is right. Once you get a coffee grinder, the possible materials for dubbing are almost endless. Believe me, your dogs and cats will have fear in their eyes when you look in their direction from now on. 8T 
You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.
What is the basic difference between the blender and the grinder? If the blender has the different buttons for blending, grinding, whipping etc., would it not pretty well function the same?( for my own education)
I use my blender with the small jar dry. 
For small amounts I use two pet brushes.
They do well for me.
Rick
the reason I asked for the comparison was because I also use the blender dry. It seemed to work well. ( plus I confiscated the blender from my daughter and her husband who are staying with me for a while)
Thanks everyone. As always the responses are helpful in so many ways. I think by the weekend I’ll have a coffee grinder. I appreciate each response.