"Unlike yarn rinsed in city water, river-washed yarn has a vivid, but not harsh, brightness to its colors and a recognizable depth."

Subsequently the dyed wool is placed in a river current for a couple of days and then laid in the sun for further natural curing. The slow river rinsing and sun baking lend additional sheen to the wool and ensure that the wool has preserved its highly valued lanolin. Unlike this method, yarn factories use commercial dryers that dull the wool's sheen.