“Color remembers what language forgets.”
CATALOG NO. FR-01: Why Gradual Heat Matters for Protein Fibers
Protein fibers remember
Wool, silk, alpaca — they are living structures. Their keratin bonds react not only to color, but to the way they are treated. Sudden heat shocks them. Gradual heat preserves them.
A process tuned to care
Most food-service cabinets are made for speed: quick jumps in temperature, blunt force designed for holding meals warm, not guiding fibers. For yarn, that means stress — felting, uneven uptake, and a harsher hand.
In our studio, we turned tools meant for kitchens into instruments for craft. By re-engineering the control system with wires, drills, and adjustments, a simple thermostat became a ramp-style profile. Heat rises step by step, giving fibers time to adapt.
What science teaches
Protein fibers thrive in moderate heat — generally 30–95 °C (85–200 °F). The risk isn’t only the peak, but the shock of change. When both heating and cooling are gradual, bonds open evenly, dye settles deeply, and softness remains intact.
Takeaway for makers
Even at home, the same principle applies: when you wash or block wool, avoid sudden temperature shifts. Let water rise or fall gently. This protects softness, prevents felting, and keeps your yarn alive in the hand.
Curator’s note
Method: Ramp-style gradual heat profile
Observation: Even uptake, preserved softness, reduced stress