004 – Collecting wool and washing it for rug hooking

Episode 004

Types of wool

• Just because the label says 100% wool, it does not make it right for rug hooking
• Not all wool is created equal
• Recycled pros and cons
  • cost of gas and time to buy
  • Yield
    • average skirt only yields about 5 ounces
    • a yard of rug hooking wool weights about 14 – 16 ounces
    • takes 3 skirts to  yield about 1 yard
  • limited color choices
  • Moth risk
    • bringing old clothing into your home increases your risk of a moth infestation
    • take the wool from your car directly to the washer and wash with warm water
    • rip the wool apart outside and away from the house to avoid spreading any eggs
    • snip and rip – the small amount of wool you get by ripping out the seam is negligible
    • there is some nasty stuff in the seams and hems
    • More moth details are included in my book, Dyeing Without Dye.
  • avoid jackets and blazers
  • higher cost per piece and usually only the arms are useable. The rest has a fusible lining that leaves a residue.
  • Skirts and slacks are the best source.
  • Coats and blankets are usually too thick.
  • Scarves and shawls are usually beautiful, but expensive for the amount of wool you get
• worsted is the worst
• You can use less than 100% wool – personal decision
• I like thicker wool rather than thin
• I avoid the 2×2 weave
• Trust your source, know how the wool is stored and what the vendor’s standards are

How to Wash Rug Hooking Wool

• All wool should be washed to make if fluffy – but also to eliminate any pests
• You CAN hook with wool right off the bolt
• Wash wool the same way you would wash blue jeans (I even wash wool with blue jeans)
  • cool water, hot regular dryer
  • If you air dry, it will not fluff
  • Be sure your detergent does not include bleach
    • Test for 100% wool using bleach

Snip it into hookable pieces – The method I use.

• fold the selvedges together and snip the fold
• open it up, fold one selvage to the snip.
• fold again, fold one more time
• snip two places on one side and one on the other
• open it up and repeat with the other side
• your pieces are 1/16 yard
• each piece will hook approximately 25 square inches

Label your newly washed and snipped wool with a tag

• I cut 5” x” 8” index cards into 4 pieces that are 2” x 5”.  Fold in 1/2 and staple on the edge
• Include your name
• Include a dye formula and base color
• Include source – who you bought it from, do they have a name/code for the wool?
• Include a date
• Did you buy it for a specific rug?
• All of these notes will help you find more if you need it.

Washing Maching concerns

• I’ve heard some people say that washing wool broke their washer.  I’ve never had a problem
• Keep the sump clear with bleach
• Bleach will dissolve wool and is a great way to test for 100% wool
  • If a blend, the non-bleach fibers will still be in the cup
• Dryer – keep the vent clear
  • A smooth vent will have less build up than a rippled one.
  • Avoid softener sheets – they can create a waxy buildup that the fibers stick to

Storage

The wire shelving I used is now discontinued, but here is a link to several that are very similar. Look for cubes that are about 15″ rather than 12″.

This is an affiliate link. At no extra charge to you, I get a small thank you from Amazon when you purchase.

What advice would you give a new rug hooker about buying wool?

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These articles mention wash wool

If you are not enrolled in the course that the lesson is in, the link will not work for you.

• How to wash wool for rug hooking
• Wool Sampler for Over Dyeing
• Rug Hooking Wool
• Dyeing wool using the season’s hottest colors using PRO Chem dyes
• How to Marry Rug Hooking Wool
• Order Half Yard Pieces of Rug Hooking Wool Textures
• A Fast Way to Dye Rug Hooking Wool
• Dyeing Basics: The Science of Dyeing Wool for Rug Hooking
• Dye Methods: Marbelizing Wool
• Fold Forward Finish For Hooked Rugs