Posted by cathy on Thursday, 20 January 2011, at 9:57 p.m.:
In Reply to: weaving alpaca posted by Jo ann on Thursday, 20 January 2011, at 7:22 p.m.:
This is what I do. I fill the tub of my topload washer with warm water and a bit of fabric softner or hair conditioner. I turn the machine off, or pause the cycle. I soak the piece for about 20 minutes to get it good and wet. I turn the agitator on and stand right there for about 1 1/2 minutes. DO NOT WALK AWAY. Then I set the dial to spin and spin the water out. I then hang it over my shower curtain rod and put a fan on it to dry.
I have done this with handwoven blankets, scarves, capes. The agitation locks the fibers and fluffs the yarn. the fabric softner makes it smell nice and makes it soft. You can also use Eucalan wool wash as it requires no rinsing. Just do not walk away and let the machine run thru a complete cycle.
Good luck!