​Cartel's Corner

My yarn tails are expected to last a year or longer so long as they are taken care of and not too roughly handled.  They are made for children and adults alike of all ages (except the exceptionally young).  Unless stated otherwise, it is assumed that they have the strength to be worn without worry to conventions and other similar events, by young and playful children, and latched onto bags/purses that are used semi-frequently, but should be treated like any other trinket/costume piece - with care.  In other words, they can stand some pulls, tugs, etc. but aren’t made for any sort of rough use and are probably about as sturdy as your “delicates” are.  The most delicate I will ever make and sell a yarn tail is a tail meant to only be worn to a single theatrical performance/play, which unless stated otherwise follows no additional care information than whats stated below beyond not wearing it in high frequency.

First and foremost, if you need repairs on your tail - minor or major - then let me know as soon as is reasonably possible.  The sooner you inform me, the easier repairing the tail will be, and the faster we can address and solve the problem so that we can avoid recreating the problem in the future, both personally and for future customers.

Mild shedding is normal and not a concern - all of my yarn tails are prone to a bit of shedding (I highly recommend investing in a lint roller).  The fluffier a yarn tail is, the more it sheds.  Every time you brush it out, some unraveled yarn is expected to fall out into the brush; as long as the tail isn't noticably thinner, do not be alarmed by this even if it appears to be a bit more than expected.  However, excessive shedding - as in shedding that creates noticable bald patches, begins unravelling the tail, shortens the yarn "fur" length significantly and noticably, etc. - is not normal.  Please let me know immediately if your yarn tail is shedding excessively, as it is entirely possible that it is a result of my own mistakes.

Keep tails away from young children roughly 3 years and below - small parts are a choking hazard.  Additionally, my yarn tails are not made to be toys for any pets, and are not pet safe.  Use common sense when using them around youth and animals, both for their safety and to lengthen the life of your yarn tail.

In order to keep your yarn tails fresh and give them a long life, it’s recommended that you gently brush the yarn fur out every now and again, especially before and after wearing to prevent matting (depending on how long you’re wearing it, brushing in between is very helpful too).  Any brush will do, but I personally use a wire pet brush, as I find that it has the best results.  Brushing too roughly can unravel the tail or cause bald spots, but my yarn tails are fairly sturdy so as long as you aren’t brushing them for long periods of time and/or particularly high frequency (as in 5+ times a day) - both can cause excessive shedding - or purposely brushing too deeply into the tail (and thus directly into the knots that hold the yarn "fur" together and/or the braided yarn core that acts as the tail's base), you should be fine.

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My yarn tails are not “water proof” and while it is a slower method of damage, they can be damaged by water, therefore it’s highly recommended that you avoid ever submerging your yarn tail, though they can be in the water every now and again if you’re careful.  My yarn tails are not washer nor dryer safe, and must be hand-washed. In order to wash my yarn tails, it is recommended that you use a misting spray bottle of water and/or gentle/delicate fabric spray to spray in mist mode minimally across the whole tail - this should be enough of a cleaning to keep the tail fresh after a long day’s play, and the tail should rarely if ever require this type of attention.  If the tail needs a deeper clean, use scentless soap, preferably in bar form, starting by lathering the soap in your hands, a damp washcloth, or a sponge, then gently massaging it into the tail by rubbing in the same direction as the yarn fur flows.  To wash out the soap, you can either use a wet towel or submerge in water (the former is preferred whenever possible), but either way make sure you’re washing it with cold water.  Never scrub the tail, this could cause it to unravel, tangle, and/or rapidly shed, creating bald spots.  Only submerge in water if there is no other way to clean the tail, and if you do submerge, use the following drying tactics: To dry, dab the tail with a towel and gently rub the tail in the direction the yarn fur flows, then hang it up to air dry.  If it is dripping/soaking wet, squeeze it by fisting and unfisting your hand (much like you would to squeeze out a wet sponge) down the tail starting at the base and following the direction the yarn fur flows, then give it a good couple of shakes to get out any remaining water out and to allow airflow to the base (which will both help it dry faster, and help it dry fluffier as opposed to flat therefore requiring less brushing to return it to its airy, fluffy state).  Do not twist the tail/"ring it out" like a towel/washcloth, and do not pull or tug on the tail when it is wet.  This makes it far more susceptible to unraveling and excessive shedding. How long it takes to air dry depends entirely on how large your tail is.  Alternatively to air-drying, you can also blow-dry it on the lowest setting with cold air (do not use this method if your hair dryer doesn’t come with a cold setting).  When dry, brush the tail out gently - do not brush the tail when it is wet. This makes it far more susceptible to unraveling and excessive shedding.

Admittedly, I have not tested my yarn tails in chlorinated water yet and do not yet know of it’s effects on my yarn tails.  Damages as a result of submergence in chlorinated water are not covered by warranty.

Avoid high heat, as my yarn tails are highly flammable.  Do not submerge in water hotter than room temperature.  Also avoid hair dryers (on heat/high settings), hair straighteners/curlers, etc. unless you are being EXTREMELY careful, because the material they are most likely made out of is a type of plastic, and even if they don’t ignite, they can melt easily.  They can be blow dried/straightened/etc. but stylistic changes made in such a way are oftentimes permanent, and any damages to your tail by doing so are not covered by your warranty (they are considered alterations).  Doing so too often/for too long can severely cut short the lifespan of your yarn tail.

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When you're not using your yarn tail, make sure to store it in a cool, dry, closed space like a tub or hanging in your closet fully covered by a plastic sheet.  This will protect it from dust, from tangling or warping the natural position of the fur, and most particularly for tails made with wool, will protect it from moths.

This Care Guide does not apply to any potential accessories you may have adorning your yarn tail.  If you are unsure how to go about caring for your yarn tail's accessories, feel free to ask me.