Rule of Thumb, RE: Fire Retardancy by: Rebecca Lawrence
You asked if alpaca's okay, as far as fire retardancy goes. Yes, it's fine. So are: angora (rabbit), camel, cashmere (goat), mohair (goat), possum, vicuna, llama, as well as the lesser-known but just as effective Persian, Himalayan, Domestic Long-Hair, Standard Poodle & Afghan Hound (to name but a few acceptable feline & canine breeds).
You think I'm kidding about the dog & cat. Nope. If you can shear the animal, you can clean & spin its hair, & once spun, it's yarn. (I realize that I'm in California, USA, probably the only place where one would find a spinnery that caters to just the dog & cat trade. I have found one such spinnery, on account of my dearly beloved moggy, Olive, is a Persian-Tortoise shell mix, who produces more hair that she can handle on her own. Her vet shaves her 2Xs a year - she's not a willing donor, but he's also the man with the feel-good drops & she also adores the adoration she gets post-haircut. I'm saving successive "shearings" - that's really what they are - to send to the spinnery mentioned, some day.) But I digress.
Rule of thumb: If it came from an animal, it's got the same fire-retardant, water-resistant, warm and cool when necessary properties as 100% wool.
Makes sense? Think of it this way: someone used to live inside that yarn you're knitting. It is in that someone's interests not to burn, but to singe; not to soak up water, but to shed it off the outer layer; to have fur that is warm when it's cold & yet airy when it's hot.
When "someone", of whatever breed I've mentioned, donates its fur - by force or by tranquillizers - it passes on all those qualities of its fur to us, via the processors & spinners who make it yarn.
So, if you're wondering if your fibre will work to retard a sray ember, ask yourself: Did it used to be worn by someone who barked, brayed, hopped, spit, meowed, hissed, or, best of all, chewed & swallowed?
If yes to any of the above: It will work.
Knit on!
Mar 11, 2009 Rating
alpaca by: Anonymousriveredge
Is alpaca ok to use???
Mar 05, 2009 Rating
choice of yarn by: Sally
Cotton - Here in Germany it's easy to buy cotton yarn but it seems to make for heavier squares.
Sock wool - it's 75% wool and 25% acrylic - I hope this is high enough on the wool to be flame retardent. I'm using 2 strands of the sock wool and 4mm needles which keeps the knitting quite dense.
It's hard to find 100% wool. Sock wool now comes in many colours - including variegated which makes for quick knitting.
Feb 24, 2009 Rating
I started this "whole wool" controversy.... by: Rebecca Lawrence
So let me add a couple of things in answer to concerns I've read from y'all:
1. As far as I understand it, superwash wool is still wool, so should (should!) be as fire retardant. (I'm not sure what's done to it to make it not shrink, but as long as there's lanolin left in the fibre, it's going to be a retardant.)
2. Cost-wise, there have been several good suggestions made, & I'm gonna add:
a. JoAnn Fabrics, Michael's Art Supply (the 2 I'm familiar with in the US) not only sell Lion Brand & other inexpensive 100% wool, but for the minor inconvenience of signing up for their on-line catalog, you'll get more coupons than you've ever wanted, both on-line to print out & ones thru the mail. (40%-75% off single items! Look for the store name ".com")
b. On line right now, @ KnitPicks.com, there are at least 10 different yarns (DK & worsted weight), KnitPicks brand, 100% wool (some of it Peruvian alpaca kettle- or hand-dyed) for under 3.99 US$ per skein (not stingey skeins, either!) These folks are the absolute cheapest way to go with woolens, as well as tools, books, and etc, plus they are just good people, & don't sting you on shipping. They are my "go to" spot.
3. Since we're all together here on-line from everywhere, I'm guessing that the place of last resort for any of us could be eBay. It's the auction-spot for everything you never knew you needed; it's worlwide; it usually yeilds good cheap buys); it's also a little intimidating for the first time (mainly just because of the glut of "stuff"). Don't let that get to you. Search "crafts" then "needlework" then "knitting" then "yarn" - narrow the search once more to "wool" & you should have plenty to choose from. (A hint - ask sellers questions before you buy or bid; you probably want to make sure you're purchasing exactly what's described & determine if it's new or has been stored in Auntie Em's attic since the gale....)
4. Last: If you try to felt wool & superwash, the wool will felt, the superwash won't and you'll have an interesting combo of small, dense squares & big, looser ones!
Does this help? I hope so! Knit with the Spirit, all you gung-ho fibre-folks!
Feb 24, 2009 Rating
Wool vs. Superwash by: nANCY
I was just wondering if anyone knew how these blankets would be laundered. I understand that most of the poorest children will not have any opportunity to wash them, but if someone there was able to clean the blankets for the children, are we worried that they will draw up or felt? And if some of us send superwash wool, but it gets put together with regular wool, and someone washes it, what will happen? Maybe I'm making it too complicated...
Feb 24, 2009 Rating
What about superwash wool? by: Julie
Is superwash wool flame resistant like regular wool? I'm looking for cheap yarn where I can find it and could get some superwash if it would be satisfactory for the squares. Thanks.
Feb 23, 2009 Rating
Thanks for the info :) by: Anonymous
I'm wondering if there is a spray to add fire resistance and what health concerns if any. Anyone know?
Feb 22, 2009 Rating
PURE WOOL by: Kate
Hi! I just came across this site yesterday and am really excited about knitting/crocheting squares for this important charity. However, I have no 100% wool at the moment - my stash seems made of mostly mixed (wool+ acrylic) fibres. Does the Hotel Hope have electricity? If so, could we direct some of our "not 100%" squares in their direction? I'm going out to buy some 100% wool as soon as ever I can, rest assured.
Fantastic site - can't wait to get knitting!
Kate
Feb 22, 2009 Rating
Thank you! by: Sandy R.
Thank you so much, Rebecca! I don't often use real wool because if the price, but I will use wool or high percentage wool blends for my squares and other items I make for Knit-a-Square.
Sandy Richardson - Illinois, USA
Feb 22, 2009 Rating
Essential advice by: Sandy
This is vital advice, thank you Rebecca. I will amend the knitting instructions to point this out and will also do some research regarding fire retardant properties of other yarns.
You are right many of the children would sleep in shacks, with candles for light where small cooking stoves with naked flames, are in the same room.
Until there is additional information about other yarns with fire retardant properties, perhaps bamboo or other blends, knitters and crocheters should only use wool or high wool blends.
