Saturday, January 10, 2009

~Yuck~

Recently I've had to throw away two of my handknits:


Pigs Monkeying Around



How Fetching


Why? Because they felted in the wash! Boooooo I'm so sad! The Monkey Socks were the most disappointing. I washed them fine for nearly a year then all of a sudden they started felting. The yarn is 100% wool, but it was labeled as "superwash" wool, and the instructions on the label said to machine wash.

I'm certainly not happy about the Fetching mitts, but at least I am forewarned that the yarn is not machine-washable, because I have a scarf out of the same yarn. I'd hate for the scarf to get ruined since much more work went into it than the fingerless mitts.

*sigh*

And to top it off my ripple afghan is in need of washing. I'm going to hand wash it - there is no way I'm throwing it in the washer and crossing my fingers hoping it comes out ok! Not after I spent so much money on it!

10 comments:

Heather said...

I am so sorry to hear that you had to dispose of some of your handknits. It is heartbreaking to spend time, effort, and money on something and then have it get ruined. 100% wool that is superwash is only washable because of a coating on the wool that keeps it from felting. My guess is that after a lot of washing this coating came off. For a truly superwash wool, try finding a blend of wool/nylon (usually 80/20 or 75/25). Washing hand knitted items in cool water is also recommended, as the switch from a warm wash to a cold rinse can cause felting. I also found turning socks inside out when washing them keeps them looking newer longer and helps prevent pilling.

I hope you have better luck with your knitted garments in the future!

Jennwith4 said...

Awww!! Those socks were my favorite that you made! I loved the yarn.

Charity said...

Oh dear! How sad. I'll have to remember that about superwash though.

Tammy said...

Heather - thank you for that information. I didn't realize that was the case with "superwash" wool. I got the yarn from Sunnyside Ellen, it's 100% Merino wool.

Jennifer, these were my favorite socks too! :(

Anonymous said...

Thanks for leaving your blog address! I know I've visited frequently, but now you're on my blog reader, too. :)

I don't knit, but I do crochet. My problem is not ruining items but losing them! I don't know how many scarves I've had to replace. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh no!! How disappointing that must be. Your work is *lovely*!

Anonymous said...

oh no, I hate when that happens to my fav clothes too!

Mrs. U said...

Oh Tammy!!! And these are SO pretty!!! But how bad was it??? I know that I've seen a lot of felted things lately so could it have been redeemed at all???

Gosh, you are SUCH a talented knitter!!

His,
Mrs. U

Mrs.Vicki said...

Oh, isn't it agrivating. My first pair of socks I knitted in alpaca and merino got thrown in the dryer by mistake and they slightly felted. They still fit though, but now every time I wash them I have to stretch them while they dry. The funny part is they are actually warmer :)

lauramichelle79 said...

Awwww those socks were too cute. I'd be sad to see them ruined too. I wish I had your talent. I need to take a knitting class because all I can do right now is the knit stich