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 your first wash and the final step in completing your project. Blocking is the act of soaking your item in a gentle, no rinse, sometimes lanolin enriched bath to allow any dirt to drift away. Blocking also ensures that you can set the shape and fit of the garment to the specifications you desire. We use products such as Eucalan or Soak wool wash which are both readily available 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. If you wish to further ensure the colourfastness of your yarns, please add a touch of white vinegar or citric acid powder to your soak. Remember to use tepid temperature water and let your item rest for about 20 minutes. Once time is up, remove your item from the soak and squeeze your water from it. Never agitate while in the soak or wring or pull your finished piece once out of the soak as this will encourage felting. After you have squeezed as much soak out as possible, place your item in a towel, roll it up, and press more soak out. You can now set your item to dry on a flat surface and block it to it's desired measurements. 

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

Always lay your item flat to dry and avoid heat. You can take this opportunity to make sure the piece is to the appropriate shape and measurements. Think of this as another round of blocking. 

Storage

It is always recommended to wash and fully dry your items before storing them away for a season. The 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. Storing items as cleanly as possible, in air tight ways so as to not allow moths access to your items are the first steps in this battle. From there you can choose your preferred chemical warfare (cedar wood, tent traps, moth balls, etc).