I'm finishing spinning quite a bit of wool. I do plan to plie most of it. However I'm wondering if I should wet finish it before I weave with it. This probably sounds like a strange question. I do wet finish my weaving projects. I guess what I'm really wondering is, if I wet finish my handspun and use it with commercial warp, then wet finish the project will this effect how much the weft blooms in the final finishing of the project?

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,

Erica

Comments

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 12:36

Weavingholiday

Think this is one of those places where sampling is the best way to know the "right" answer for your project.Wet finishing the yarn before weaving may not only change the finished product, but could affect how things go in the weaving, too.

So many variables here, and it would be awful to be disappointed in the final results when you have put so much into your project.

Good luck, hope you will share your results!

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 14:09

sally orgren

My spinner buddies recommend wet finishing to set the twist. Their method is to place the skeined yarn in a large tub of warm water with shampoo. Swish around a bit, but not too much and definitely do not agitate. I usually let the hank sit for a bit. 

Then, rinse.

Blot dry by rolling the skein in a dry towel, and hang the hank with something kind of light looped through the bottom of the hank. I use a washcloth. It absorbs the additional moisture as it migrates to the bottom of the hank, and puts a wee bit of tension on the whole skein, but not a lot, which would stretch it out too much. Let air dry completely. I also sometimes rotate the skein as it is drying.

Now the skein is ready for weaving or knitting! I ply my handspun on the drop spindle too, and this wet finishing method works great. When weaving with handspun, I would think you would want the twist set before you are introducing other variables to your cloth in the weaving process. And yes, I use my handspun for warp.

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 14:30

mneligh

I do not wet finish yarn until it is woven.  I like the project to full just a little bit -- not truly felt, but more like meld together.  I also typically ply my yarn, so extra setting the twist isn't required to work with it easily.

Because different wools do not felt at the same rate, though, I suspect the answer really depends on the breed of the sheep and even the individual, in some cases.

Sampling is the answer.  You just need to know that there are adherents to both schools so sample and then do what you like best.

 

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 22:47

mrdubyah (not verified)

Congratulations on making all that handspun.  I use my handspun for both warp and weft routinely.  I always wash handspun yarn after spinning to set the twist, get the early shrinkage out, and finish the yarn. Then I weave with it and wet finish the fabric.  I have never had any problem fulling these fabrics.  I say wash and weave!  DRW

Tue, 10/22/2013 - 02:24

ryashani (not verified)

I typically only use singles so I defnitely wet finish or weaving could end up a mess from the energy in the yarn.

Tue, 10/22/2013 - 15:54

Erica J

I appreciate the great advice! Now to ply, finish and weave!