As I was knitting with the Fibre Company Terra, I realized that it felt a bit more rough than I remembered the first time I used it.  Wondering if the fiber content had changed, I went looking for my little swatch (they are all over the house, mostly being used as coasters) and found that my swatch was just as soft and wonderful as I remembered the yarn. Like a good wine that needs to breath a bit, many yarns change after they have been knitted up and blocked. Noro Kureyon is another example of this. When you work the fiber, the oils on your hands transfer to the yarn, changing how it feels. In addition, the process of putting the yarn into little stitches affects how it feels to the touch. Lastly, and most importantly, blocking or washing the fiber can dramatically change its drape and feel. With Kureyon and also Terra, the fiber softens up and relaxes after being washed, making it a much more satisfying yarn. Using a wool wash like Soak is another way to enhance the fiber even more. So before judging a fiber in the hank, be sure to check out a swatch of the yarn. If the store doesn’t have one, ask if they have a partial ball that you could play with. Try it out, block it and then decide if you like the fiber.