raw wool

[2much2luv]

I want to make some dolls and stuff them with wool. I've aquired some wool that appears to be fresh from the sheep. What do I do with it? How do I clean it? Thank you.

[stretchmark]

Since no one has responded and I know a little about wool, I'll tell you what I know. I don't think you actually have to wash the wool but if you want to make sure there is no weird stuff in it I guess it would be a good idea. epending on the kind of wool and how much lanolin is in it, will determine how often you want to wash. I don't think all the grass will come out even with multiple washings, that is usually done with a picker or some other machine. A lot of wool people in this area, Taos, use Ivory soap or another mild dish liquid. I would reccomend finding an on-line wool page that gives specifics about temperatures because I don't remember. Fill a big tub up with water and soap, hot water, and cover it, and let the wool stay in there until it cools down. Drain the water out and put the wool in a separate container. Then re-fill your container with the same temperature water or very close to it (within 10 degrees), this will keep it from felting all together. Then add your wool to rinse any extra dirt and soap out. To dry, I spread chicken wire out over an old metal bed frame and put the wool on top of it. Any kind of screen material will work so that air gets to it from both sides. Wool takes a while to dry. Again, I really urge you to look for a web site for even more specific instructions.

[2much2luv]

Thank you! I did get a web site off of another message board and the instructions were just about what you said. I fill the washer with hot water and detergent and let soak for a couple of hours and then refill t o rinse several times. This method works ok, but the sticks just dont come out. I may have to pick them out by hand.

[hydrangea]

I don't know much, but wouldn't carding the wool help? I know real carders can be expensive, but I have heard of using dog brushes for small jobs.

[2much2luv]

What's carding? Just combing?

[stretchmark]

Carding is using those flat "dog brush" looking things. Combing is actually using these dangerous looking combs that are also very expensive. I remember wanting to get in to wool last summer so some of the knowledge is retained. As far as all the crud in the wool, I think there is a step even before the carding called picking. I know there are many different ways of acheiving desired results and some people, do one thing and not the other, so it is hard to say. I bought some combs because the lady told me it would get the grass out but it never did. Then I found that the wool has to be picked first. Good luck. I think the more lanolin that is in the wool, the harder it is to get the grass out.

[LaLa]

I've used carded wool before. I didn't even clean it


I didn't know I was supposed to at the time. It had a super earthy smell to it...I didn't mind that...reminded me of life on the farm!

:LOL