Getting The Most From Your Animal’s Fiber

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Courtesy of Fantasy Fibers
PURPOSE

This document is intended to help people understand, how they may be able to get more value, from their animal’s fiber. 

HOW CAN I GET THE MOST FROM MY FIBER?
Why does it matter?

The cost and upkeep of our fiber animals is substantial.  It is therefore important for us to get the most out of our investment.  Getting the most from their fiber is one way to improve our return.  Based upon our processing experience here are some worthwhile considerations that might be helpful.
Factors to Consider

Thanks to our Customers, at Fantasy Fibers, we are in the unique position, of seeing a variety of fine and beautiful fibers.  While some fiber may be physically similar, the quality of the batts, roving or yarn, that they become, can be quite different.  Unfortunately, the potential for the fiber is not always realized.  The major influencing factors we have seen are fiber cleanliness and length.  We will start with fiber length.
FIBER LENGTH

Our equipment, best processes fiber into yarn at lengths of three (3) to six (6) inches.  While we can tolerate larger variations in fiber length, they have the potential to cause thicker and thinner areas within the yarn.  Second cuts, less than two (2) inches in length, do not card well, degrade quality and cause weakened areas in the yarn.  Fibers longer than seven (7) inches, present a challenge in the draft, causing heavier areas.  Significant thick areas need to be removed and reduce the quantity of yarn.  The production of batts or roving is not as critical, but cannot be disregarded.  Fiber that is less than two (2) inches has a tendency to fall out in the carder.  Fiber greater that twelve (12) inches can wrap in the carding machine and not make it to the finished product. 

Recommendation

The rate of fiber growth is different for all animals, even within a species.  Some can only be sheered once a year, some twice.  Determine the frequency, which best suites your animal’s fiber growth to insure optimum (3 to 6 inch for machine spinning) fiber length.  Do not include your second cuts.  Discard them or plan on making something other than yarn (i.e. pet beds).  In all cases, it is easier to initially exclude second cuts than it is to try and remove them later. 
FIBER CLEANLINESS
WASHING

Processing requires clean, grease-free wool and mohair (llama, alpaca, dog and some other exotic fibers that are not coated with a lanolin are easier to get clean, but should not be underestimated. Clean fiber should not be difficult to achieve and will produce a higher quality product. Two methods are detailed below.  Regardless of which method you choose, keep in mind, four (4) key points to good cleaning:
  1. LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF FIBER BEING WASHED TO YOUR EQUIPMENT

    2. Example:

    		 a. Loose in a large washer place no more than 3 pounds of fiber at a time
    b. If using laundry bags wash no more than 1.5 pounds of fiber at a time
     
  2. USE VERY HOT WATER
  3. USE LOTS of DETERGENT
  4. ABSOLUTELY NO AGITATION!!!!
  1. USING A BATH TUB OR OTHER LARGE CONTAINER
    2.

Using very hot water and the same amount of detergent as above, follow essentially the same steps as for the washer method. The key to washing in some kind of tub is to have a container that you can lift the wet fleece into so that you don't have your fill water running directly on the fleece. >  Some type of netting can be made to help contain the fleece for lifting, but this can increase the number of wash and rinse cycles to get the fiber clean.  Any liquid detergent without bleach, should work fine.  Be sure to test cleanliness at the beginning of the rinse cycle.  However, be cautious of products with conditioners.  They can leave a residue on fiber, which after time or when exposed to heat will become tacky causing nepping, noiling fiber damage and impede the carding process.

  1. LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF FIBER BEING WASHED TO YOUR EQUIPMENT

    2. Example:

    		 a. Loose in a large tub (similar to a washer) place no more than 3 pounds of fiber at a time
    b. If using laundry bags wash no more than 1.5 pounds of fiber at a time
     
     
  2. VERY HOT WATER
  3. LOTS of DETERGENT
  4. NO AGITATION!!!!
TESTING FIBER CLEANLINESS

During the washing process a white coffee mug can be most effectively used, shortly after placing the fleece into the very hot water, to determine fiber cleanliness.  See WASHING.  Take the following steps:

1. Wait 5 to 10 minutes after placing the fleece into the very hot rinse water
2. Get enough water in the cup to barely cover the bottom
3. In good light, tilt the cup
4. If the water is clear with no particles, the fiber is clean
5. If the water is discolored or you can see particles, the fiber needs to be washed again

Take the following steps to test a fleece that is not being washed:

1. Place an amount of water and detergent to just cover the bottom of the cup
2. Microwave the cup for about 30 to 45 seconds to get the water very hot
3. Place a small tuft of fiber from the fleece in the cup
4. Make certain the fiber is totally soaked (a tooth pick can be helpful)
5. In approximately 30 seconds remove the fiber
6. You may need to wait for the water to cool (make certain the fiber is removed)
7. If the water is clear with no particles the fiber is clean
8. If the water is discolored or you can see particles, the fiber needs to be washed again