(57) Individualized, crosslinked fibers made by a) defibrating moistened, cellulosic fibers and at least partially drying the fibers under substantially unrestrained conditions, i.e., in the substantial absence of interfiber bonds, b) contacting the fibers with a crosslinking agent, c) reacting the crosslinking agent with the fibers in the substantial absence of interfiber bonds, to form intrafiber crosslink bonds, d) subjecting the fibers, while in a moistened condition, to a second defibration step, and then at least partially drying the fibers under substantially unrestrained conditions.