Finished Merino Yarn – Washing & Care
Our Merino yarn is a beautiful natural fibre and should be treated gently to maintain its softness, shape and appearance.
Before beginning your project, we strongly recommend knitting or crocheting a test swatch using your chosen needle or hook size. Wash and block the swatch in the same way you intend to care for the finished item. This will allow you to check your gauge and see how the yarn behaves after washing.
Natural wool can change slightly after its first wash. The fibres may relax, bloom and soften, and some shrinkage may occur, particularly where the wool has undergone minimal processing.
Recommended care:
• Hand wash in cold or cool water.
• Use a gentle detergent specifically designed for wool.
• Avoid regular laundry detergents containing harsh enzymes or bleaching agents.
• Do not soak for unnecessarily long periods.
• Do not rub, scrub or vigorously agitate the garment.
• Avoid sudden changes in water temperature.
• Gently squeeze out excess water without wringing or twisting.
• Roll the item in a clean towel to remove additional moisture.
• Reshape the garment to its correct dimensions while damp.
• Dry flat in the shade.
• Do not tumble dry unless the individual product specifically states that it is suitable.
• Store finished wool garments clean and completely dry.
Heat, moisture and agitation can cause wool fibres to felt and shrink, so gentle handling is important.
Undyed Natural Merino Yarn
Our undyed Merino yarn celebrates the natural colour and character of Australian wool.
Because the yarn has not been coloured with dyes, natural variations in shade may occur between batches. These differences are not faults. They are part of the individual character of natural wool.
If you are creating a larger project, we recommend purchasing enough yarn from the same batch to complete the project.
You may also choose to alternate between two balls or skeins every few rows where slight natural colour variations are present. This can help blend the shades beautifully throughout the finished garment.
Care for undyed yarn:
Hand wash gently in cold or cool water with a wool-specific wash. Avoid rubbing, wringing, agitation and sudden temperature changes. Reshape while damp and dry flat in the shade.
Always wash and block a test swatch before beginning a large project.
NATURAL UNDYED YARN FOR HAND DYEING
Our natural undyed Merino yarn can also provide a beautiful base for customers who enjoy experimenting with hand dyeing.
The natural wool colour becomes part of the finished result, so dyes applied to cream, ivory or other natural shades may produce a different result from the same dye applied to a bright white commercial yarn.
This is one of the pleasures of working with natural fibres: every batch and every finished colour can have its own individual character.
Before dyeing:
• Check the individual product description to confirm that the yarn is suitable for dyeing.
• Always test a small sample before dyeing an entire quantity.
• Consider the original natural colour when selecting your dye.
• Make sure you have enough yarn from the same batch for the complete project.
• Wind and secure skeins carefully so the yarn does not become tangled during dyeing.
• Follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer of your chosen wool dye.
• Use dyes specifically suitable for protein fibres such as wool.
• Avoid excessive agitation during washing, dyeing and rinsing.
Wool can felt when exposed to a combination of moisture, heat and agitation.
When changing between hot and cooler water during the dyeing process, do so carefully and follow the dye manufacturer's instructions to minimise thermal shock and felting.
MERINO WOOL TOPS – IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION
Our Merino Wool Tops are prepared wool fibres designed for spinning, felting, fibre art and other creative applications.
Unlike finished yarn, wool tops have not yet been spun into a finished yarn. The fibres have been prepared and aligned, allowing the maker to take the fibre through the next stage of its journey.
Depending on the particular product and batch, the wool tops may be supplied in their natural undyed state and may not have undergone the same washing or finishing processes as commercially finished yarn.
Please refer to the individual product description for the processing status of each batch.
Unwashed or Minimally Washed Wool Tops
Where a product is specifically described as unwashed, the fibre may retain some of its natural wool oils, lanolin, scent or other characteristics associated with minimally processed wool.
This is normal for an unwashed natural wool product.
Customers intending to spin, felt or dye the fibre should decide whether washing or scouring is appropriate for their intended project before use.
If washing is required:
• Handle the fibre gently.
• Avoid rubbing or excessive movement.
• Use an appropriate wool wash or scouring method.
• Avoid sudden temperature changes.
• Do not wring or twist the fibre.
• Allow the fibre to dry completely before storing or continuing with the next stage of processing.
Excessive agitation can cause loose wool fibres to felt together.
WOOL TOPS FOR HAND DYEING
Natural undyed Merino Wool Tops can be an excellent choice for fibre artists who would like to create their own colourways.
Where the individual product is identified as suitable for dyeing, the wool can be coloured before spinning, allowing the maker to create solid colours, tonal shades, gradients or blended effects.
Before dyeing wool tops:
• Confirm that the particular product is suitable for dyeing.
• Test a small amount of fibre first.
• Follow the dye manufacturer's instructions carefully.
• Use a dye suitable for wool or other protein fibres.
• Consider the natural starting colour of the wool.
• Handle wet fibre gently.
• Avoid unnecessary agitation.
• Avoid rapid temperature changes.
• Allow the fibre to cool and rinse according to the dye manufacturer's instructions.
• Dry the fibre thoroughly before spinning, blending or storing.
Because this is a natural fibre, results can vary between batches. This individuality is part of the appeal of hand-dyed Australian wool.
RAW FINE MERINO FLEECE – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Raw Fine Merino Fleece is a very different product from finished yarn or prepared wool tops.
Raw fleece is wool in a much earlier stage of processing and is intended for customers who understand or want to learn the process of preparing wool themselves.
As a natural agricultural product, raw fleece may contain:
• Natural lanolin and wool grease
• Vegetable matter such as small pieces of grass or seed
• Dust or dirt
• Natural sheep scent
• Variations in staple length
• Variations in colour and texture
• Other characteristics normally associated with raw fleece
These are normal characteristics of raw, unprocessed wool and should be expected.
Preparing Raw Fleece
Depending on the intended use, raw fleece may need to be:
Skirted – removing undesirable sections and obvious contaminants.
Sorted – separating different qualities, staple lengths or sections of the fleece.
Scoured or washed – removing dirt, excess lanolin and other material.
Dried – thoroughly drying the clean fibre before further processing.
Picked or teased – gently opening the clean fibres.
Carded or combed – preparing and aligning the fibres for spinning, felting or other uses.
Spun – turning the prepared fibre into yarn.
The preparation method chosen will depend on the fibre artist and the intended finished product.
RAW MERINO FLEECE FOR DYEING
Raw or prepared natural Merino fibre may be suitable for dyeing, but the preparation stage can significantly affect the result.
Customers wishing to dye raw fleece should understand that natural lanolin, dirt or other material remaining on the fibre can interfere with even dye absorption.
For this reason, appropriate preparation or scouring may be required before dyeing.
We recommend:
• Testing a small sample first.
• Preparing the fibre appropriately for the chosen dyeing method.
• Using dyes designed for wool or protein fibres.
• Following the dye manufacturer's instructions.
• Handling wet fleece carefully to avoid felting.
• Avoiding excessive agitation.
• Avoiding sudden temperature changes.
• Allowing the fibre to dry completely before further processing.
NATURAL COLOUR & BATCH VARIATION
One of the beautiful characteristics of working with natural wool is that it does not always look or behave exactly like a mass-produced synthetic fibre.
Subtle variations may occur in:
• Natural colour
• Shade
• Texture
• Fibre characteristics
• Finished yarn appearance
• Dye uptake
• Batch appearance
These variations are part of the natural character of wool.
For projects requiring multiple balls or skeins, we recommend purchasing enough yarn from the same batch or dye lot to complete your project.
COLOUR DISCLAIMER
We make every effort to photograph and display our yarn colours as accurately as possible.
However, colours may appear differently depending on:
• Computer monitors
• Mobile phones and tablets
• Screen brightness
• Display settings
• Lighting conditions
Natural fibres can also reflect light differently depending on their texture.
For these reasons, the colour displayed online may vary slightly from the physical product.
A NOTE FOR HAND DYERS
Natural Australian Merino provides a wonderful canvas for creative hand dyeing, but working with natural fibre means embracing a degree of individuality.
The starting colour, preparation of the fibre, water, dye, temperature, technique and individual batch can all influence the final result.
We strongly recommend conducting a small test before dyeing an entire batch.
Where a project requires a consistent finished colour, dye enough fibre or yarn for the complete project at the same time wherever possible.
Tom Cooper Yarns cannot guarantee the final colour achieved through home dyeing because the dyeing process is undertaken by the customer and is affected by factors outside our control.
STORAGE
Whether you are storing yarn, wool tops or prepared fleece, natural wool should be kept:
• Clean and dry
• Away from direct sunlight
• Away from excessive heat and humidity
• Protected from moths and other fibre pests
• In breathable or suitable sealed storage depending on the length of storage and fibre condition
Never place damp wool into long-term storage.
Make sure washed fleece, wool tops and finished yarn are completely dry before storing them.
QUICK PRODUCT GUIDE
Finished Coloured Yarn
Ready for knitting and crochet. Hand wash gently and dry flat.
Natural Undyed Yarn
Ready for knitting and crochet and may also be suitable for hand dyeing where specified. Test before dyeing.
Natural Skeins
Ready for winding and use. Natural undyed varieties may also provide a base for hand dyeing where specified.
Merino Wool Tops
Prepared fibre for spinning, felting and fibre craft. Natural undyed tops may be suitable for hand dyeing.
Unwashed Wool Tops
Natural fibre requiring additional preparation depending on the intended project. May retain natural oils and characteristics of minimally processed wool.
Raw Fine Merino Fleece
Raw agricultural fibre requiring preparation before most finished applications. Suitable for experienced spinners, fibre artists and makers who want to process the wool themselves.
