The photos with the shawl are beautiful, but I can understand that such a big piece may not be convenient to wear. Nevertheless, you looked beautiful with the shawl.
I often reuse yarn, but after my last two post everybody perhaps by now knows, that I am a bit lazy sometimes... so I always thought " why soaking... the yarn will become smooth again on its own, if I knit it up" But as you perhaps guess - it does not. My last sweater has clearly visible parts, where the yarn is kinky. So next time I will follow your method and will not omit the soaking.