make good: a knitting podcast

56: Yarn Detectives Part 2

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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

                • Send us your letters! [email protected]

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