One type of 'felting' during storage is simply the fibers, especially
wool, relaxing into its non-stretched, natural state after processing,
whether by hand or machine. It can become noticeably harder to draft
after it relaxes, and the more crimpy the wool, the more the change.
Easiest way to deal with this is to predraft the fibers before spinning
them (assuming, of course, you don't want to reprocess :)
To predraft, grasp a spinnable portion of fiber--a section or roving or
top, a strip torn from a batt--and, holding your hands slightly more
than a staple-length apart, pull the fibers lengthwise (the direction
you will be drafting them as you spin) slightly. You don't want to pull
them apart so much that the fiber supply falls apart, just enough to
loosen and lighten the preparation a little. Drafting will be much
faster and easier afterwards.
Given that wool's scales soften and rise up when damp or wet, especially
when hot or warm, then harden and flatten when it cools and dries, it's
quite possible for wool to 'felt' slightly in a bag or box. That's why
we recommend storing it away from direct light and sources of heat, and
away from swings of temperature. Also make sure it's as dry as possible
before storage, especially if the storage container is plastic or the
like, which doesn't 'breathe'.
If a mix of wool and angora is stored in a container that doesn't
breathe, the fiber can release moisture when warmed, those scales rise
up, then the fiber cools off and relatively dries out, the scales lay
down again, possibly trapping the finer angora fibers as it does so. I
would guess this is what happened if the fiber can't be predrafted readily.
Holly
who's had many opportunities to figure out felting without really ever
doing it on purpose :)
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