Mosquetín tamped wool blankets almost exclusively, and occasionally work clothes or other garments used for the rain, such as capes or leggings. These type of fabrics received the generic name of xerga or burel.
The process of tamping could last more or less time depending on the quality of the wool. If it was good, of merino sheep, 28 hours were enough. If was of lesser quality, it could take up to 48 hours.
During the process it was necessary to make sure that the blankets remained wet and to turn them regularly to prevent the garments from sticking. This operation was called “vira o batán” (turn the fulling mill). Once the process was finished, the cloths were removed and dried out in the sun on the bushes surrounding Mosquetín. By the end of the process, the blankets would shrink and could lose up to 15% of their weight or more.
Tamping did not occur year round, rather only between the months of October and April, taking advantage of the moment when the river had a stronger current. The best time was spring, because the fabric came out better. In winter, on the contrary, the blankets lost too many filaments.
In Mosquetín it was customary to bring the blankets to the neighboring fair of Baio, one of the most important in the region, which was held on the third Sunday of the month. Sometimes they were brought by muleteers from the land of Xallas, who returned to pick them up at the fair the following month. The payment, unlike in the mills, was done with money.
