A GOOD YARN
Q Do you have any tips on the best way to finish my handspun yarn? Véronique Faber, Grimsby
My personal favourite is to give it a good thwacking, which works really well for fibres like wool and alpaca, and for constructions like a standard two- or three-ply, or a singles yarn. Thwacking helps the yarn to bloom and evens out the twist. It also helps ‘full’ the fibres, giving the yarn more strength. Steaming is also great for more delicate yarns such as cashmere or yak, a low twist yarn or art yarn.
If you’re thwacking, give the yarn a thorough soak in warm water first. Some people soak it in a wool wash first, and then a rinse, but if you’re working with washed and prepped combed top and fibres, you don’t need to do this. Fully immerse it for an hour or so, then give it a squeeze and spin the excess water out using a salad spinner or by rolling it in a towel. Don’t wring it out.
To thwack it, find a solid surface like a table-top or a chair – or smooth outside wall. Hold the untwisted skein behind your head, then smack it hard on the surface. Move the skein around in your hands and repeat four or five times. Alternatively, ‘snap’ the yarn by placing your hands inside the skein and pulling them apart quickly.
If you’re steaming the yarn, put it on a hanger and steam with a steam-iron held away from the skein, or with a portable steamer (or even a kettle held underneath). You don’t need to to soak it if you’re steaming. Make sure you wear gloves or other protective clothing though so you don’t burn yourself! Rachael