Can wool blend fabrics be used for hooking? ▼
We recommend 80% to 100% wool.
If I am using twill tape to finish a rug does it need to be washed? ▼
That is personal preference. It will soften the binding as well as help with any bleeding of color.
Why do some of the larger hooks have a wider shaft? ▼
A wider shaft helps open the space when hooking wider strips of wool.
Do wool blends take the dye the same as 100% wool? ▼
Only nylon will take the dye the same. Polyesters and acrylics resist the acid dyes.
Is hand-dyed wool considered washed? ▼
Yes.
Is your wool suitable for clothing? ▼
Yes.
Do you make your own fabrics? ▼
We design most of our fabrics in-house. They are produced in the U.S., Mexico and Eastern Europe.
Will I always be able to get these colors? ▼
It depends on their popularity, so the answer is not necessarily.
What is the difference between washed wool and wool felt? ▼
Washed wool is woven with wool yarns. Wool felt is comprised of fibers felted to make a fabric and is considered a non-woven fabric.
How do I protect wool from moths? ▼
Do not use moth balls (it is impossible to get rid of the smell). Keep wool in a light area, keep your wool clean and there are moth traps on the market as well. If you put the wool in the freezer for two days it will eliminate moths.
What is the best backing to use? ▼
Linen is the strongest. Cotton backings (monks cloth & warp cloth) are also strong. In terms of sales, linen is our best seller. We do not recommend burlap.
How much wool is in a square foot of a braided rug? ▼
1 yard of fabric will produce approximately 1 square foot of braiding.
How much shrinkage occurs when wool is washed? ▼
Nobody knows what is going to happen when they wash their different woolens. Factors that determine shrinkage when washing are heat agitation and length of wool fibers in the cloth. In general a softer woolen fabric will shrink more and woolen system yarns will fluff more because the yarn contains some shorter fibers. All you can control are the heat and the agitation.
How long do you soak wool before dyeing? ▼
One hour should be plenty. Use a mild detergent or Synthrapol and rinse thoroughly. Prolonged soaking may deteriorate the fabric.
How can you test for 100% wool? ▼
Cut a small piece of the fabric that you want to test and apply some soap or wetting agent and soak until the water penetrates into the fabric.
When it is completely wet through, put in a bowl and pour in simple household bleach until it is totally covered (Bleach can lose some strength over time, so the more recent the purchase the better.)
If the fabric is 100 % wool it will completely disappear. This process should take no longer than 24 hours.
If the fabric contains synthetic fibers there will be a mesh left over.
Why do I have a white core in the fiber after dyeing? ▼
Every time we have been able to solve the problem by slowing down the dye process by starting the water at room temperature instead of hot. It is possible that you have been successful when starting the water at a hot temperature many times but a slight change in the acidity of the water or fabric can cause “striking” (when the core is not penetrated).
Remember, of course, to have your wool properly soaked before dyeing.
Should wool be washed before using? ▼
Are you happy with the hand, color, and density of your unwashed wool? Leave it alone.
If it is not dense enough, fluffy enough or the colors are too sharp, by all means wash and dry the fabric.
Please, however, experiment with a small piece to determine how the wool will react to the heat and agitation of the washer and or dryer. Surprise excess shrinkage is not correctable.
Washing and drying should tighten the fabric (less fraying), fluff the fabric (raise the fibers on the surface), and soften the colors in the fabric. The softening of the colors is caused by the raising of the fibers on the surface which interferes with your eyes’ ability to see the shades clearly. The more different color fibers in the fabric, the more possible change. Some fabrics after being washed are so different they even look hand dyed.
Nobody knows what is going to happen when they wash their different woolens. Factors that determine shrinkage when washing are heat agitation, and length of wool fibers in the cloth. In general a softer woolen fabric will shrink more and woolen system yarns will fluff more because the yarn contains some shorter fibers. All you can control are the heat and the agitation.
Remember: Experiment so you don’t get an unpleasant surprise, and you can always wash again with more heat and agitation. Hope this is helpful and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to email or call.
