101 Secrets: Fiber (Off Animal)

How to rid the oder- of yarn freshback from the mill....
Author: Sallie's Fen Alpacas
Nicola Blake & Jack Dibb

....often has that "industrial" smell and an odd texture because they have to add oils to make the spinning process go smoothly. When I get my yarn back I skein it, run a basin of hot water with a squeeze of my current favorite hair shampoo in it, then gently submerge the skein and leave to soak for about 10 minutes. Do not agitate! I then prepare a basin of water the same temp that the wash has ended up and add a little hair
conditioner. I particularly like lavender-scented for this as it helps to keep moths away. Gently lift the whole skein at once out of the wash, squeeze gently (always gently!) then submerge in the conditioned rinse water. Leave for a while. Lift out and squeeze again, then roll up in a towel, squeeze out excess water, and hang to dry.

Nicola Blake & Jack Dibb
Sallie's Fen Alpacas

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