Yarn Care / Information / FAQ

About Wool Yarn and Fibers

We prepare and dye our yarns and fibers very carefully, using only the highest quality, professional dyes.  However, due to the nature of hand dyeing, some excess dye may remain in your yarn/fiber, especially for the first few washes.  We recommend washing carefully, with an added 1-2 T of white vinegar in the wash water to help prevent dye migration.  This is especially true for spinning fibers/rovings as we are not able to rinse them as vigorously as the yarn due to their delicate nature.  You may like to add vinegar to the water when setting the twist on hand-spun yarn, for example.

Also, please note that although dyes are set when they leave our hands, certain soaps or wool washes (especially those with chemical scents) may cause the dye to bleed out of the yarns/fibers.  You will need to experiment to determine which wool washes or soaps are best for your wool.  Additives to water systems may also cause some dye bleed.  We have found it best to wash wool with a touch of white vinegar, as this seems to solve the problem.  

On a last note, if using your yarn for diapering applications, please be aware that the chemical reaction from a very soaked diaper can cause formerly set dyes to begin to bleed.  Please be aware and cautious of this when you launder these items.

Dye Lots

Each skein of yarn that you receive will come dated with it's 'birthdate'--this is the date on which that particular skein of yarn was dyed.  Although technically from the same Dye Lot, by nature hand dyed yarns will vary in color/depth/intensity from skein to skein and even within the same skein--this is part of the beauty of hand dyed yarns.  It is possible to get a close enough match from 2 skeins with different 'birthdates' to be used on the same project, although that is not recommended.  It's always best to alternate skeins when using hand dyed yarns.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is your yarn so expensive?

We start with the highest quality yarns.  We add professional quality dyes and dyeing agents; and a whole lot of our time, attention, and care.  Compared with hand dyed, boutique quality yarns at your local yarn shop, we believe that our yarns are a very good value.  We realize that many of our customers are stay at home and work at home moms, or other folks who need a good value for their dollar.  We believe that using high quality wool along with offering great customer service and a generous return policy means that our customers really do get just that. 

Each skein is individually dyed with great love, care, and attention.  We start by skeining the yarn up from cones.  The yarns are washed and soaked.   The dyes are then mixed (all of our colorways make use of uniquely mixed dyes), and expertly applied.  The yarn is processed in our magic yarn/fiber cookers then carefully rinsed, squeezed out, and  hung to dry.  After drying, the yarn is popped onto the swift and dyeing ties are cut off.  Each yarn end is wrapped around the skein, and the skein is then twisted up and the label is filled out and attached.  Then the yarn must be packed with care, shipping label purchased and printed, and taken to the post office to begin it's journey to your home.  We work very hard to bring you a high quality, beautiful product!

What is the best yarn to use for felting?

You can probably get almost any wool or wool blend yarn to felt it you try hard enough!  Typically, non superwash yarns are used for felting and a general rule is the softer the yarn, the easier it felts.  Customers report that our Dryad line is excellent for felting.

What is the best yarn to use for soakers?

This is probably our most frequently asked question--and the hardest to answer!  Tastes vary so much, and it also depends what you are looking for in a yarn and finished product.  All of the non superwash yarns that we currently carry are suitable for soakers.  Popular choices for soft but sturdy are the Juniper DK and Aran, and the Meadowsweet yarns.  Dryad works wonderfully for babies and those who are particular about extreme softness. Generally, the more durable the yarn, the less soft--so it's really a trade off.  If you simply must have the softest yarn ever, choose the one of the Mimosas or even luxurious cashmere!  If tough wearing is important, choose Juniper or Meadowsweet (still quite soft!)  If you love organic, then the organic Dryad merinos may be for you.   With so many choices, we feel confident that you will find a Mosaic Moon yarn that you love!  Please feel free to email us and request samples of any of our yarns

Do you really dye all the yarn yourself?  You stock an awful lot of yarn.

Yes, we really do dye all the yarn ourselves.  Since Mosaic Moon is the family's main source of income, both David and Morwenna invest most of their time in the production of yarn and running the business.  Morwenna  applies all of the dyes.  David does all of the dye mixing, much of the rinsing, and  drying.  Morwenna does the photos and anything having to do with the computer/customer service.  Lora-Layne, Morwenna's mother, fills out most of the yarn labels (if you see *really* neat writing on your label, it's Lora-Layne's--if it's a bit "artistic", well....)  and David does all of the postal runs.   Morwenna's longtime friend Jessica does much of the packaging, shipping, and tracking orders and payments for our groups.   We have worked out a fairly good, efficient method for dyeing batches of colorways, but yes, we do dye every bit of yarn ourselves.

But I have more questions!
Email us with any other questions you have, we may also add them to our FAQ!