How to figure out what kind fiber my yarn is?

[rosewater]

Someone gave me a big bag of yarn, and I don't know if it's wool or synthetic. I remember my Nana taking matches into yarn stores and burning the ends of wool to make sure they were real wool, but I didn't pay close attention, so I wouldn't know what I'm looking for if I were to do that. Some stuff is obviously sythetic, and I know this woman uses wool and synthetics. There are no labels, and she doesn't remember. I separate my yarns into wool and synthetic and cottons and other, so I am baffled and don't know what to do. Does anyone know?

[notjustmamie]

Don't take my word as gospel, but I'm pretty sure synthetics will melt rather than burn.

Can you imagine trying to burn yarn at the store today??

[rosewater]

Originally Posted by notjustmamie

Don't take my word as gospel, but I'm pretty sure synthetics will melt rather than burn.

Thanks....that's what I was thinking. I'll give it a try.

Can you imagine trying to burn yarn at the store today??

Yeah, I know!

[Marlet]

Wool will totally dissolve in a small amount of bleach. Snip off a bit and stik it in a capful of bleach and wait. It'll happen relatively quick.

In general though, protein fibers (like wool) will burn similar to your own hair. Synthetics will melt together and form a hard clump of crap.

[flapjack]

IME, wool will singe and go out the first time you burn it, the second time will form a hard black ash. Synthetics will have the flame move along it and shrivel up quickly- you'll probably have to drop it. (I use a gas burner)

[boricuaqueen327]

I read somewhere that sythetics would smell like burning plastic and wool would smell like burning hair. I like the bleach trick though , i will have to try that if I ever buy some mystery yarn.