HALO
What is the "halo" you keep hearing about?  Halo is simply the name given to the "fluffiness" of the yarn or finished piece, such as in commercial Mohair yarn or a finished Angora Sweater.  What makes up the "halo" are the tiny, almost microscopic hairs that have worked one end out of the twist and thus creates a fluffy, halo like appearance. 

Don't be fooled by the initial appearance of your Keepsake Yarn.  More often than not, when you receive your keepsake yarn, it will look quite similar to commercial yarn.  Handling of your keepsake yarn or finished product results in separating the finer hairs from the main twist.  As you work with your keepsake yarn, you will start to see the halo emerge.  The more you touch, pet, wash or handle your keepsake yarn, the more the halo will grow.  

Anxious to get the full halo on your finished piece?  Dry cleaning your finished product will bring out the halo to it's fullest, natural extent. 

Please see How to use Your Pet Yarn for more information on how to plan for the halo on your finished project. 

SHEDDING
Most handspun yarn from natural mammal fibers has a natural shedding period.  This is caused by the shorter, stiff or loose fibers, that did not get completely caught up in the twist, working their way out of the yarn.  The natural and expected shedding period of your keepsake yarn will depend completely upon your pet's hair.  Long, fine fibers will experience a short or no shedding period.  A combination of fine and coarse fibers will experience a longer shedding period.  Short, coarse fiber, however, will result in an extended shedding period that could last several years.   Short coarse fibers will not develop a halo.

WARMTH FACTOR
Yarn spun from a double coated pet is up to 80% warmer than wool.  The hairs making up the undercoat of most double-coated pets have a hollow core.  These tiny hairs act like little insulators, absorbing and trapping the pet's body heat.  When spun, these hairs do not lose their insulating properties and will continue to perform their natural task by absorbing and trapping your body heat.  It is the reason in which we do not recommend making an entire sweater from your keepsake yarn.  It simply would be too warm to wear.  If a sweater is your dream keepsake, then we recommend that you knit the main body of the sweater in a commercial yarn and incorporate your keepsake yarn into the garment.  Please see How to use Your Pet Yarn for more information. 
 

STORAGE OF YOUR KEEPSAKE or YARN
If you don't plan on using your keepsake yarn right away, it should be stored on an open shelf in a well lit area.  Never store your keepsake yarn or finished product in plastic bags or plastic containers. 

All natural fibers from mammals contain Keratin, a natural protein that is the main diet for cloth moths. 

Moths can eat through plastic bags and squeeze their way under the lids of just about any air-tight container.  Fiber stored in an air tight container only intensifies the scent of the Keratin and acts like a flashing "diner" sign for moths looking for a place to lay their eggs.

Cedar, lavender and the like, help mask the scent of the Keratin and depending upon the strength of their scent, may fool the moths for a limited time, but eventually the little critters will figure it out. 

Cloth moths do not like light or movement, which is why you will see the adults flutter away when you turn the light on in your dark closet or open a drawer. So storing your keepsake project in an open, well lit area will help deter a pending attack.  Folding of wearable keepsakes creates a dark cozy place and an ideal nursery for egg bearing moths.  Sweaters, scarves and hats should be hung up. 
Also see: Collecting and Storing Your Pet's Fiber

ODOR & ALLERGIES
are caused by the oils, dander and enzymes in a pet's skin, not the actual hair itself.  Washing the fiber, yarn or finished product may remove some of the culprits, but not all.  VIP Fibers is the only spinnery that has developed a patented process for permanently removing all of these factors from your keepsake yarn.  Though each natural fiber has it's own scent, your keepsake yarn will not "smell like wet dog" and your keepsake will not affect people with allergies. 
                               

WASHING YOUR FINISHED KEEPSAKE
VIP Fibers highly recommends that you treat your keepsake as you would a fine cashmere sweater. 

Felting and matting are caused by three factors: soap; agitation and heat.  These three factors are to be avoided at all costs. 

Professional Dry-cleaning is the preferred method of cleaning your keepsake.  VIP Fibers has all of their keepsake samples professionally dry-cleaned as needed.  However, your keepsakes can be washed at home by following the simple instructions below: 

HAND WASHING: 

1.  Fill your sink with room temperature water, adding only a drop or two of dish
     detergent (not soap).  Gently press your keepsake into the bath and let soak. 

2. Remove the item, fill the sink with the same temperature of clean water and again
     gently press your item into the water and let soak. 

3.  Repeat the clean water bath until all detergent has been removed. 

4.  Gently squeeze the item to remove excess water, DO NOT WRING!  Lay your damp
     item on a thick bath towel and gently, but firmly, tightly roll the towel. 

5.  Remove the item from the towel and re-shape if necessary.  Lay flat to dry.

6. Once the item is dry, you may use a wire pet brush to gently brush up and revive the
    halo or gently shake. 

Home dry-cleaning kits can also be used, but beware, though many home dryers have a "no heat" cycle, some heat may still present on this setting.  Test your dryer first by placing a dry washcloth in the dryer set to "no heat" and run it for 20 minuets.  We do not recommend you use the home dry-cleaning kit if you detect warmth on the cloth upon removal.