The Art of Washing Wool, Mohair & Alpaca by Mary Egbert
A Gentle Masterclass in Fiber’s First Transformation
The Art of Washing Wool, Mohair & Alpaca is Mary Egbert’s poetic and practical guide to one of the most sacred steps in fiber preparation: the wash. With a teacher’s clarity and an artist’s spirit, Egbert unveils the quiet alchemy that turns raw fleece into luminous fiber, showing how careful hands, patient water, and thoughtful technique honor the animals who grew it.
Inside these pages, readers discover the rhythms of cleansing wool without losing its soul: the perfect temperatures, the subtle shifts in lanolin, the science behind scouring, and the tender intuition required to preserve crimp, luster, and life. From mohair’s shimmering locks to alpaca’s silky softness, Egbert illustrates how each fiber holds its own voice, and how proper washing allows that voice to ring true.
More than a how-to, this book is an invitation to slow down and savor the process m, to witness fleece bloom beneath warm water, to join a lineage of makers who understand that beauty begins long before the wheel or loom. Whether you’re a seasoned fiber artist or just starting your journey, this guide elevates a humble chore into a meditative craft.
A must-have on the shelf of anyone who believes fiber deserves to be treated with respect, curiosity, and wonder.