In Episode 55 we talked about how to the weight of mystery yarn; this week we're talking about ways to identify its fiber content. Grab your notebooks, goggles, and adventurously scientific spirit.
Here we go!
Smell Test
Animal fibers: it will smell like a wet sheep! Maybe a barn/hay smell too
Silk: may have an earthy or fishy smell
Synthetic fibers: generally no smell, maybe oily/artificial smell
Plant fibers: generally no smell
Felting Test
Animal fibers (including silk): will felt if non-superwash
Synthetic & plant fibers: will not felt
Bleach Test
Animal fibers: will fizz and dissolve in 12-24 hours
Silk: will dissolve in approximately two days
Synthetic & plant fibers: won't dissolve, may lose color
Acetone Test
Synthetic fibers: will dissolve
Animal fibers, silk, and plant fibers: will not react much at all
Burn Test
Animal fibers: will burn slowly and curl away from orange flame, will smell like burning hair or feathers
Silk: will burn slow and curl away, may char, may smell like burning hair or charred meat
Plant fibers: burn fast & give off smoke, leave light colored ash
* cotton has a yellow flame
* hemp & jute has a very bright flame
* linen, hemp, and jute ash will still be in the shape of the yarn
Synthetic fibers: will burn (or really, melt!) quickly and emit a strong, black smoke
What's on our needles this week:
Felix Cardigan designed by Amy Christoffers
Gresham Wrap designed by Michael Vloedman
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