Never machine dry the items.
Here’s a foolproof hand-washing method that will work for just about all your hand-knit clothes and blankets.
(Synthetic yarns can be machine-washed, but hand-knits made from natural fiber yarns should always be hand-washed.)
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Remove a bit of yarn for testing from an interior seam.
Carefully light the yarn with a match or flame.
If it smells like burning hair and turns to ash, it’s a natural fiber.
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If it has a chemical smell and melts, it’s synthetic.
Rub the ends together until they feel dry.
If the ends stay together, the yarn is wool and it has felted.
If the ends don’t stay together, the yarn is acrylic or another manmade fiber.
grab the Correct Detergent
Use a gentle detergent.
For wool fibers, choose aformula designed for wool, such Woolite or Eucalan, which contains lanolin.
Lanolin is a natural oil produced by sheep that helps preserve wool fibers and increases the water-resistance of wool.
This throw in of detergent works well for any hand-knit items, even those made with synthetic yarns.
Fill it with cold or cool water, mix in the detergent well, and completely submerge the item.
Do not dry any hand-knit items in a dryer, however.
Being rough with the item can cause it to become misshapen.
Let the item soak for up to 30 minutes.
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Rinse Out the Suds
Use cold water to rinse out the excess suds from the item.
Continue to rinse until the water runs clear.
Roll up the garment in the towel, pressing firmly as you roll.
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Don’t wring the towel.
Lay a dry bath towel on a flat surface large enough to hold your garment.
A card table is a perfect size for air-drying sweaters and typically has a protective vinyl top.
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Always protect wood surfaces with a vinyl tablecloth placed under the towel.
Pat it into shape, and avoid tugging or pulling.
If it’s a sweater, gently push the ribbing together at the neckline, wrists, and waist.
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Fasten the buttons, and fold the collar.
Allow to Air-Dry
Allow the item to air-dry for 24 hours.
For large blankets or throws, support the weight with adrying rack.
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Repeat until no suds or stain remains.
If you don’t know how to knit, consider finding a local knitter to repair the item.
Some very small holes can be stitched closed with a needle and thread.
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Avoid hanging up hand-knitted items, such as sweaters, as it will cause them to lose their shape.
Ideally, clean them only once or twice a season.
Be careful, though, because over-drying will cause the item to shrink too much.
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You may want to put the hand-knit in a mesh laundry bag to avoid damage from the washer action.
Hand-washing is the preferred method for cleaning any hand-knit item.
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