March 22, 2005
Woolchemy
At the Black Sheep Gathering a couple of years ago I bought a hunk of lanolin that had a lot of merino in it. At the time I thought I was buying a very nice fleece, of course, but the lanolin was very well disguised with crimp and flexibility-- the work of a master.
A few weeks later I gave it three baths, tried to card it, tried to spin it, but the lanolin just doesn't like being told to get twisted. Into the attic it went, where it stiffened with fright as to its possible fate... exclusion from the fluffy world of fiber.
Yesterday something provoked me to try washing a small portion of this stuff and, remembering Judith MacKenzie's method of washing merino, I filled a container with very hot water and Dawn and put in a couple of handfuls. [Actually you are supposed to heat water in a crock pot and keep it hot for a while as the wool soaks, but I don't have a crockpot...yet.] After a few minutes I pulled out a very small amount, rinsed it and air-dried it. Result? Lanolin.
I tried again. Hot water, more Dawn, more time. Again? Lanolin.
Steam started shooting out my ears and nostrils and my feet started pawing the ground. This was bull. I would not be conquered by a fatty, skin-enriching substance. I got more hot water, just about a quart, and poured in a half a cup of Dawn. I waited, hovering over the pot to make sure no Evil came along to dump more lanolin in. Soon I was rewarded. Nice, beautiful white merino that was at last lanolin-free. Merino sunned himself on the deck with a satisfied sigh while I cackled with woolchemist glee.
That's beautiful stuff...What is the chemical in Dawn you mentioned blogg ages ago that makes it best for wool (ducks, and cars too) and by the way did you know a small portion of your purchase of dawn goes to duck welfare? It was used to clean water fowl during the valdez incident.
Posted by: tanya on March 22, 2005 09:41 AMI don't know what the chemical is, but it's similar to what's in Synthrapol. I am so glad to know that Dawn is ecologically responsible!
Posted by: Sheila on March 22, 2005 10:25 AMtake that you stinkin' lanolin
Posted by: vanessa on March 23, 2005 04:50 AMthat's so cool! i have a bag of camel fiber someone gifted to me but i'm afraid to get nasty with it. i haven't even tried to do anything with it yet. this inspires me!
Posted by: Dharia on March 23, 2005 08:54 AMMakes me jealous! I wish I had room in my house to play with fiber and such-like. No chance, though. But I do have merino-envy!
Posted by: Jon on March 23, 2005 09:21 AMThanks for the formula Sheila! I'll try it on Ms. Isabella Rambouillina - I felted my first attempt trying to remove stubborn grease spots.
Posted by: Roi on March 26, 2005 01:09 PMOK, looking for wooly goodness and inspiration, the first place I come, of course, is here. I know Sheila's creative and whitty words are sure to inspire me to fire up the wheel or maybe even get those needles clicking again. I should have realised that I'd need to put down my cup of Earl Grey tea before reading here. (smerk)
I'm so happy you finally tamed Mr LanO-lin. I have his rellies living here in some of my stash. I might have to 'Dawn' them all into submission myself. ;o)