Person holding a large ball of green and gray yarn

Wool Care Instructions

Now that you have created a wonderfully bespoke item with our yarn it is time to make sure they last for as long as possible. Wool is an exceptionally resilient fibre that, with the right care, can be passed on for generations.

Blocking

Once your item is completed it's time to block. Think of blocking as the final step in completing your project and it's first wash.

Blocking is the act of soaking your finished piece to allow any dirt to drift away. Blocking also ensures that you can set the shape and fit of the garment to your desired size.

We use products such as Eucalan or Soak wool wash, both Canadian, which you can find at your local yarn shop or online. If you cannot source these products you can use Woolite or a gentle detergent for delicate fabrics. All of our dyed yarns are heat set and cooled to ensure as little colour bleed as possible, but it can still happen. Adding a touch of white vinegar or citric acid powder to your soak will help lock in those colours.

Remember to use tepid temperature water and let your item rest for about 20 minutes. Once the time is up, remove your item from the water and squeeze out as much as possible, then place your item in a towel, roll it up, and squeeze out even more!

You can now set your item to dry on a flat surface and block it to its desired measurements. 

Never agitate items while in the soak, or wring out your finished piece. This can stretch your work and can cause felting.

Washing

We always recommend washing your items by hand in cold, cool, or tepid water. Despite some of our yarns being super wash, this does not mean they are felt resistant. Use a gentle detergent such as the ones listed above, and as little agitation as possible when washing your items. Always squeeze the water from the item rather than wring or pull at it.

Drying & Storage

Always lay your item flat to dry and avoid heat. You can take this opportunity to make sure the piece is the correct shape and measurements. Think of this as a mini blocking session. 

It is always recommended to wash and fully dry your items before storing them away for a season. Moth larvae are after any oils or bio matter left on the surface of the wool, so making sure they are as clean as possible before storing them is best practice. We advise storing items in sealed containers or bags to make sure they are as safe as possible from the little critters. 

Moths

Try as we might, moths exist in our spaces and they love to give their larvae a good start to life by laying eggs on our woollens.

There are many ways to help mitigate the destruction that moths can cause, so an internet search and deep dive for your preferred method is best. As stated above storing items as cleanly as possible in air tight containers or bags is best practice.

If you like, you can also use cedar wood, lavender sachets, tent traps, moth balls, etc.