Today’s Tips and Tricks Thursday post is all about washing wool and my first experiences with taking raw, unwashed fleece and turning it into something beautiful for spinning.
I was a little afraid to get started but after doing a some reading (Thank you Alden Amos!) and little more research on my own I was ready to get started.
My choice of raw, unwashed fleece was 12oz of some really lovely raw, unwashed Border Leicester from Spunky Eclectic. Pictured above are some of the nice, crimpy locks, still in the grease.
I filled up my sink with warm water and some really great handmade soap from a friend, as well as a small amount of vinegar. I added 4oz of the fleece to the water at a time, gave it a couple of gentle presses with my hands to make sure it was fully saturated, and allowed it to sit for approximately 20 minutes.
After the 20 minute soak, I tossed the wool into the washer and turned on the spin cycle to remove all the excess water and dirt and then back for a rinse in the sink with some nice warm water. The wash, spin dry, and rinse can be repeated as many times as needed to get the wool sparkly clean.
This is how the wool looked after its first wash and rinse.
And this is how much dirt and grease came out from one washing.
(Clean fleece on the left and grease wool on the right).
Isn’t it amazing! It is like working magic with wool!
And once it was all clean and snowy white, well, I just couldn’t resist carding some up …
… and trying to make the perfect rolag.
This was a very interesting experience for me and I’m eager to try it out more. Next time I try it, I think I might dye the locks before carding them. You will need to stay tuned for my December handspun post to see finished pictures of my yarn.
Happy knitting and spinning all!
Good post, thanks for the tips! I was watching Deb Robson’s video on spinning with wool from rare sheep and she mentioned using scouring liquid to wash raw fleece. See http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/tuned_in/archive/2012/02/02/deborah-robson-talks-washing-wool-win-unicorn-fibre-wash.aspx
Have you every tried scouring liquid? Seems expensive and I wonder if alternatives such as those you present are as effective. I’m trying dish soap on a raw icelandic fleece I bought years ago (it is a bit felted, but hopefully recuperable)
Anyhow, happy spinning!
Happy new year,
nicole
Hi Nicole! I’ve never tried Unicorn Scour Power but I have heard a lot of good things about it. I think I have a sample of it kicking round here somewhere so I’ll have to find it and give it a try to compare with the homemade soap. I know I’ll continue to use the homemade soap because I really love it but it is always good to know how other things work as well, isn’t it!
Wow, I’m in awe! How do you like your Alden Amos book? I’ve thought about buying that one. I haven’t been quite as adventurous with fiber as you just shared, maybe some day
Thanks Tina. I’m really enjoying the book and I’m learning a lot. This is probably one of the best spinning books I’ve gotten my hands on to date and I’m only part way through yet.
What kind of homemade soap are you using? I’ve prepared tallow to make my own, but I’m a bit fearful of making my first batch of soap. Any advice?
Wow! Nicole, I would love to try making my own soap sometime and you really must tell me how yours turns out!
The soap I used for this batch was a treat from a friend … it is MoonSnail Soapworks Shampoo Bar and it gets the fleece nice and clean.
WOW, I never felt the uge to wash my own wool…yet?
I like the “…yet?” you added in.
I hope that you do give it a try. Once you get going it isn’t scary at all, especially if only do small batches of fiber at a time.
hello, I’ve washed a few fleeces in my time and have used mild childrens shampoo to eco friendly wool/silk handwash soap. I don’t use strong detergents and i don’t use anything with antibacterial in it. Hot water and no agitation with a mild soap works well for me. I’ll be writing a blog on washing my wensleydale lamb’s fleece next week. Her name is princess so and it sooo lovely. wish me luck!
I agree with you on not using strong detergents. From all the reading I’ve done, washing fleece is much like washing our own hair … anything you wouldn’t put on your head, you probably shouldn’t put on fleece.
I love your gorgeous new beret that you posted on your blog. That yarn looks incredible! And I look forward to your post on Princess
Thank you