I washed the FLAK back using the products that I have for my shelties, Bark 2 Basics shampoo and D-Mat conditioner, and it has softened up beautifully! I think that I'll be able to wear it as a pullover after all, mostly because of this great conditioner. Yay! I have a friend who breeds llamas and I know that she uses the D-Mat before grooming them for show so I figured that sheep's wool couldn't be that much different from llama fibre and dog hair.