| Author |
Stitching & Crafting Room:  What is the shelf-life of yarn?  |
|
|
dg7954
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Diane
Doylestown
pa
USA
129 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 02:47:46 AM
|
| I am in the planning stages of opening a yarn store/art gallery in Doylestown, Pa. Trying to cover as many bases as possible, I was wondering if anything happens to yarn if, let's say, it's left in a basket for a long period of time without being stored in a plastic bag. Does it dry out or fade? Would dust in general affect it? |
|
|
KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 05:18:28 AM
|
Hi Diane,
I'm no expert, but I do know the type of lighting you use will affect some dyes.
I took a weaving lesson form a woman who owns a book and fiber store, with fluorecent lighting, she has had problems with reds and pink cotton rug warp fading badly.
I would check with a few of the manufacturers you plan to carry for suggestions.
Please let us know if you will do mail order!
I'd be interested if you will carry weaving supplies too!
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
 |
|
|
thehouseminder
True Blue Farmgirl
361 Posts
USA
361 Posts |
Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 06:55:31 AM
|
You want to be careful of light but yarns biggest enemies are acid and moths.
Acid would come from wood, paper, and the like. As pretty as wooden display shelves would be, they will leach acid into your yarns and ultimately weaken them. The same thing happens if you stash your yarn in wooden drawer. If you use tissue paper to wrap your yarns, be sure it is acid free (archival grade). What I have done in my art room is to use wooden stackable cubes with clear plastic bins which fit them. I then had UV film applied to the windows of the room professionally.
As far as those nasty moths, there is little you can do to keep them out of your space since people will be coming in and out the door. BUT, you needn't use nasty chemicals, find a nice soap with a fragrance which will not offend anyone. I use Regular Caress sometimes and other times I use English Lavendar soap. Unwrap the bars and stash them behind the yarn. Moths HATE the smell and will not settle on the yarns. I also keep bars of soap in my closet. Every few years, replace the bars and put the old one in the bathroom for use (a bonus, they will have hardened some and will last for more bathings than they would have when they were new and softer).
Handling yarn and knitted items with clean hands is important because moths are actually attracted to microscopic food particles left behind by your hands. They eat yarn to get the food or grease. Keep in mind that yarn may arrive from your supplier infected. Be sure to inspect it carefully. The soap in the displays should chase them away but I always throw new yarn in a big Ziploc and freeze it for three days which will kill moth larvae.
Lots of rambling here. You can tell it is early for me.
Hope this helps!
Lucinda
Who loves a garden still his Eden keeps, Perennial pleasures plants, and wholesome harvest reaps. ---Bronson Alcott
|
|
|
|
dg7954
True Blue Farmgirl
129 Posts
Diane
Doylestown
pa
USA
129 Posts |
Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 07:13:25 AM
|
| Thank you both for this info. I am planning to print this out and keep it as a reminder. I can relate to the early hour, I posted this topic at 4:30 a.m.! (Can't sleep because I keep thinking of more things for the store). I will use all of your tips. Thanks again. |
|
|
|
Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - Sep 24 2005 : 2:44:19 PM
|
DG, you must keep us informed. I'll buy my yarn from you. Woo hoo! Your own yarn store. Sounds like a dream come true. Of course, I'd have to have embroidery supplies and quilt stuff...thanks for the opportunity to dream a little. If you lived near me, I'd come to work for you for free!
Blessings,
Patricia
Happy Wishes! |
|
|
| |
Stitching & Crafting Room: What is the shelf-life of yarn? |
|
What is the shelf-life of yarn?
