Black Squirrel Yarns is temporarily closed!
We have uninvited guests: every wool-lover's nightmare, moths. We have seen 3 moths in the shop and that is 3 too many. Yesterday, Monday October 5, 2026 we made the decision to close the store in order to figure out what we are going to do. We are still figuring that out.
Here is what we do know:
- We are taking this VERY seriously!
- We will not reopen until we have a clean shop and clean product.
- The online store will be closed until we have safe and clean product to ship.
- We will be completely transparent about our process including how we treat the product, how we clean the space, and what preventative measures we will take going forward.
- We will make regular reports on our progress about what we are learning, here on our blog, where everyone can see it.
If you have an outstanding online order or are registered in an upcoming class, please keep an eye out for an email from us in the next 48 hours.
As I write this, it is day two. I do not know all the details of how we will accomplish this. We are figuring it out with a bunch of smart and capable people. I will share more soon.
If you have questions, please reach out to maia@blacksquirrelberkeley.com. I don't have the ability to reply to comments on the blog, but I will respond to your questions and comments in future blog posts.
More information coming soon.
Maia
Treating Moths
Thank you so much for all the messages of support! This is scary for us and it means everything to us that you are standing behind us through this difficult time. Our community is truly the best!
We completely understand that it is scary for you too, so we want to give you some advice on how to treat a known, or feared infestation or exposure. We are recommending two options that can be done at a small scale at home. Heat is faster. Freezing is easier, but takes more time.
Heating
Place your yarn, fiber, or garment on a sheet pan and place it in your oven at its lowest temperature and bake it for 30 minutes or more allowing some time for it to come up to temperature. The minimum temperature required is 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Most home ovens have a minimum of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Someone we know has done this in her home oven and had no problems with natural fibers.
If you heat treat, be sure to remove anything plastic like buttons. If your yarn, fiber, or garment is not 100% natural fibers, heat may not be the right option for you. Yarns that contain nylon may be fine, indie dyers cook yarn to near boiling temperatures. Many use yarns that contain nylon and are superwash. Research your fibers before you proceed. You may want to remove yarn bands with adhesives just in case (Scotch brand tape will melt at temperatures above 250 degrees Fahrenheit). If you are cooking handwash yarn, you may want to cover the yarn as soon as it comes out of the oven so it cools slowly. Sudden temperature changes can cause felting.
Heat treating is what we will do in commercial warming racks that have temperature controls.
Freezing
Place items in a plastic bag and place in a freezer for several days to a week. The temperature needs to be below 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Standard advice is to do 2 freezing cycles. The quicker it freezes and thaws, the better.
The University of California Integrated Pest Management has more information on clothes moths and more options for treating moths. This link includes pictures of moths, moth cases, and eggs.