Wet Finishing Handspun Yarn Made Easy for Beginners

Introduction

You’ve just finished spinning your very own yarn. Congratulations! But before it’s ready to knit, crochet, or weave, there’s one more important step: wet finishing. This process transforms your freshly spun skein from wiry and twisted into soft, balanced, and usable yarn.

Over the years, I’ve developed a simple and effective method for wet finishing. In this post, I’ll walk you through what wet finishing is, why it matters, when to use soaking vs. steaming, plus give you a step-by-step guide, along with answers to common questions.

Table Of Contents

Wet Finishing Handspun Yarn Made Easy for Beginners

What Is Wet Finishing?

Wet finishing is the process of washing and soaking your freshly spun yarn in warm water to help it relax and bloom. It allows the fibres to settle into place, distributes the twist evenly throughout the skein, and softens the yarn, making it more enjoyable to work with and wear.

There are two main methods of finishing:

Wet finishing (soaking) – Involves immersing yarn in warm water.
Steam finishing – Uses steam to gently relax fibres without submerging them.

This guide focuses on wet finishing by soaking, which is the most beginner-friendly and widely used technique.

Why You Should Wet Finish Handspun Yarn

It may be tempting to skip this step or rush through it, but wet finishing is essential to achieving yarn that is:

Softer: The soak allows compressed fibres to expand and bloom.
Balanced: It evens out the twist from spinning and plying.
More durable: Proper finishing strengthens the yarn and prepares it for long-term use.
Better looking: A finished skein looks more even, less wiry, and more “professional.”
Ready for knitting or weaving: It prevents surprises later by letting the yarn settle into its true state.

Without wet finishing, yarn can feel stiff, overly twisted, or behave unpredictably in projects.

When to Use Soaking vs. Steaming

Method	Best For	Benefits
Soaking	Very fine or delicate fibres (e.g. superfine merino, angora)	Deeper clean, fuller bloom, twist evenness
Steaming	Very fine or delicate fibres (e.g. superfine merino)	Gentler on fragile yarns, less handling

Use the soaking method when:

You’re working with wool yarn blends.
You want to relax and clean the yarn fully.
You’re spinning two-ply or thicker yarns that benefit from full immersion.

Save steam finishing for:

Lighter, lace-weight yarns that are very fine or delicate.
Fibres prone to felting with soaking.

Pros and Cons of the Soaking Method

✅ Pros

Fully relaxes and blooms the yarn.
Easiest method for beginners.
Evens out twist and improves yarn structure.
Removes any residual dirt, oil, or lanolin.

⚠️ Cons

Can felt delicate fibres if not handled gently.
Takes longer than steaming and increases drying time.
Requires careful drying to avoid distortion.

A Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Wet Finishing

Here’s my method for wet finishing two-ply yarns. It’s easy, gentle, and works every time.

What You’ll Need:

Warm water (not hot)
A gentle detergent (wool wash or a couple of drops of washing-up liquid)
Towel
A basin, sink, or bucket

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Fill your basin with warm water.
Add a few drops of gentle detergent or soap. Avoid silicone-heavy shampoos or conditioners.
Place your skein in the water.
Gently press it under the surface. Don’t agitate or swish it’s not laundry! Then rinse in warm, clean water.
Soak for 20–30 minutes.
This longer soak helps medium and tightly twisted yarns fully relax.
Remove and gently squeeze out water.
Never wring or twist. Just press gently.
Roll the skein in a towel to remove excess moisture.
Lay flat, roll, and press.
Optional: Snapping or Thacking the yarn.
- Snapping: Hold the skein at both ends and give it a firm tug (snap). Repeat 3–4 times at different points.
- Thacking: Gently slap the skein against a table or countertop. Repeat a few times.
Hang to dry in a well-ventilated space.
Do not use weights, it can stretch or distort the yarn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if I don’t wet finish my yarn?

Your yarn may remain overly twisted, stiff, or uneven. It can behave unpredictably when knitted or woven.

Can I use fabric softener?

It’s a personal choice, but I avoid it. Softeners can coat the fibres and reduce their natural bloom.

How Long Should I Soak My yarn for

I usually soak my handspun yarn for 20 to 30 minutes in warm water with a gentle soap. That might sound like a long time, but it gives the fibres a proper chance to relax, the twist to settle evenly, and the yarn to really bloom.
If you’re working with a finer or more delicate fibre (like superfine merino), you might get away with a shorter soak—around 10 to 15 minutes. But for medium wools like Welsh mule or anything with a bit more twist, a longer soak does wonders.

Do I need to wet finish every skein I spin?

Yes, wet finishing helps set the twist, softens the yarn, and improves its durability and performance.

Can I dry my yarn outside?

Yes, but avoid direct sunlight, which can fade colours and weaken some fibres.

Conclusion

Wet finishing may seem like a small step, but it’s one of the most important parts of creating beautiful, usable handspun yarn. Soaking allows your yarn to bloom, softens the texture, and sets the twist for a balanced, professional finish.

The key is to treat your yarn with care and experiment to find what works best for your fibre type.

If you’re working with medium wools like Welsh mule, my go-to method of a longer soak followed by snapping has consistently produced soft, balanced skeins ready for any project.

Happy spinning, and may your yarn always bloom beautifully