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DCTNursery · Newbie

Holding on to mohair

Aviva · Senior Member

Hi Diane, First I need to ask you how much are you holding on to? I find if I take too much, it gets messed up. Another thing that will help is to make sure your doll's head is secured so that the head doesn't move. Turn your doll so that the needle goes in at a slant. Like if I'm doing the back..I have my doll's head upside down. Now I've learned to hold the head pretty secure with my legs, but my neck sure hurts because I get all crouched. Okay another thing is try not to get over a 1/2 inch bunch, most of the time they will lay in those bits. Also take the strand of mohair and spread it thinly, but make sure there are no big spaces. Then try to not spread your fingers too far apart. Maybe 1.5 inch or 2 and making the head secured and then work in that smaller area. I don't know if that helped or not. There was one suggestion once to find something to push up into the head to secure it from moving. Not sure what they used..maybeone of those plastic drink cups..turn upside down and put the head down on it. I just hold mind in my lap. Like I said the times I slip etc is when I get in a hurry and pick up more hair. I kinda like rooting. I don't know why..but I do..it's relaxing to me. Once you get it the way that works for you..then it will get better. Maybe check the You tube site on rooting and maybe you can pick up some tips watching them do it. Don't know if I helped you or not. blankstare

sage brush nursery · Guru

yeah ,some people hate rooting --- i tend to enjoy it, when i'm not breaking needles. lol i use a lap writing table turned upside down. the bottom is a like a bean bag which cradles the head ,it also raises the head up which with my bad back lets me work at it longer. sage aww

Play Days Dolls · Guru

You must be doing something right, Diane. It's great that you sold your babies on eBay. And yes, you posted correctly!

I always think a picture is worth 1,000 words like the old adage says. Sometimes written directions seem confusing to me, and I seem to learn best by watching. If you don't want to purchase a rooting DVD, try searching for a video on the internet. You will probably find a few on YouTube. Perhaps you'll find some tips by watching a video of someone rooting.

Linda

DCTNursery · Newbie

Thanks to all of you for your answers and encouragement. I enjoy the rooting, too, but still have trouble with it. I'm learning every time, though, so I'm making progress. I'd like to do a doll with very little hair, but I always end up getting more hair than I was planning. They still look great, so I guess I shouldn't complain. I just want to learn how to really control it so I get the exact look I'm going for. Practice, practice, practice - right?

Buffington · Guru

Yes, it's all about the practice (and the needle).
I had carpal tunnel for 26 years and just got it fixed last July. What a change that was for me. I can now hold the hairs I need to root. But I do hold a small amount (about 20 hairs) because that keeps it from tangling or getting in the way. I have more control and I can see what I'm doing, where the needle is going.

I also try to hold it from the cut end and root just up from that vs rooting from the middle of the hair bunch. Also, I don't believe I saw in your post if you have a rooting dvd. It really makes a difference if you watch that! We can talk in forum all we want about ways to root but for me it made the biggest difference when I actually "saw" how to insert the needle, "saw" how to hold the hairs, KNIM?

Play Days Dolls · Guru

I agree. It's so much easier to grasp the technique when you actually see the rooting being done. I always suggest checking for a rooting tutorial on Youtube if you are not able to afford the DVD. I also agree that the best way is to root from the tip of the mohair strand rather than from the middle. I'm not certain but think the DVD shows rooting from the middle so keep that in mind if you watch it.

Diane, I always plan on less hair than I actually get on the doll's head. Practice is absolutely the key to success. I improve with each doll.

Linda