Gail writes:
<<I take a small, less than a pencil size in diameter, and pull on
it from tip to cut end. If a lock is weak, you will feel it begin
to stretch and the fibers to break. When I feel this in the lock,
I continue to pull until it breaks. I do this to see how much
tension the lock will stand before it really gives way.>>
It helps to listen to the music in the process :) A sound lock will
'ping' faintly, a weak/tender lock will 'snap crackle and pop' as
individual fibers let go, while a lock from a fleece with a genuine
break will simply break in half at once with one tearing sound.
I choose a lock about the thickness of my little finger, and give it
several good snaps while holding the tip and cut end tightly--not a
whole lot of strength behind the snaps, that will indeed break most any
wool--but a sharp tug which stresses the wool a little. If the wool is
sound, the lock will still be fine for spinning. Takes some practice,
but is definitely a good skill to learn for those who buy raw wool at
all.
Holly
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