Wool is a versatile yarn that is popular for producing fall and winter items. Wool is not only a favorite among experienced stitchers; it is also a good choice for novices because it is forgiving. It unravels easily and looks great in any knit or crochet craft.
Tips for Working With Wool at Home
What are you doing with this bashful yarn? Continue reading as Gayle, our lead designer, explains four suggestions for working with this inherently comfortable textile.
1. Blocking
Because it responds so well to blocking after your works are finished, wool is one of the most forgiving and pleasant textiles for knitters and crocheters.
Blocking is the process of pinning your components to their correct forms on a flat surface (I like to do it with the wrong side of piece facing outward).
The piece is then covered with a moist cloth overnight or for a few hours until the cloth is dry. It is ideal to use linen tea towels or used pillowcases. When the cloths are dry, unpin your piece and you should see that it has a more equal texture overall.
If you’re in a rush, you can use the identical steps as before, but instead of moist towels, lightly shoot steam from a steam iron hovering over the pieces. After steaming, they will need a few minutes to dry before being unpinned.
2. Completing And Weaving In Ends
Because wool and wool blend components block so well, completing the finishing of your garment will be rewarding. Sew seams with the same yarn that was used to make your product (unless the yarn is extremely bulky, then you will need to substitute a worsted weight yarn in matching shade for sewing).
When sewing wool clothes together, I prefer using the mattress stitch technique since the yarn has amazing built-in memory and a forgiving quality that blends seams together so readily.
Many yarns have an inherent ‘tooth’ or texture that helps it grasp into fibers as you weave the ends into work while weaving in wool yarn ends.
This helps to keep the ends in place and makes them less visible than acrylic or cotton fiber. To avoid discovery, always weave your ends into seam edges.
3. Hand And Washing Is Not That Dangerous
Many individuals are put off by hand-washed wool yarns. I actually wash wool and wool blend things in my washing machine using the shortest, soft cycle, cold water, and a very minimal bit of gentle soap.
Before putting the item in the washing machine, place it inside a laundry bag (buttons or zippers done up — this is critical — and turned inside out). Include no other laundry in this bag. To avoid felting, the water MUST be cold, and the cycle MUST be short and mild.
When the machine cycle is finished, remove the item from the laundry bag and lay it flat to dry. Take caution when moving around in a damp wool garment. They will be hefty and easily stretched. When they’re wet, give them plenty of support.
In my laundry room, I have a large laundry rack that I spread a thick towel over to provide a level surface for sweaters. This allows air to move above and below the item, allowing it to dry.
4. Wool And Woolly Goods Storage
As with many natural fibers, keeping yarn and completed goods takes some thought. Take the time to fold and store garments with buttons or zippers that are done up. Hand knit garments should never be hung; this might result in stretched out garments and hanger marks on shoulders.
If you’re storing wool yarn balls, make sure they’re in airtight containers. Big Ziploc bags are great for storing WIPs, and plastic storage boxes will keep your stash secure and ready till inspiration hits.
5. Pilling…. Those Painful Little Balls
Wool’s natural ‘tooth’ or scale-like texture attracts itself in locations where the garment is rubbed together, such as elbows and cuffs. Pills are little balls of yarn that form and can make a garment look worn.
Using those specific little pill removal tools with the sanding edge is the finest approach to deal with pills.
I’ve also gently pressed the pilled portions with packing tape or duct tape wrapped around my hand (sticky side out). Always wash your clothing inside out to avoid pilling, and store garments with buttons or zippers done up and folded nicely.
Never hang hand knit items—this can result in stretched out garments and hanger marks on shoulders.
Wool Yarns I Adore
Patons Classic Wool Worsted is my absolute favorite. The color palette is diverse enough to suit a wide range of projects. It is suitable for both knit and crochet tasks, and the gauge is stable.
Because there are so many interesting colors for granny square designs, I’ve constructed a couple crocheted afghans with Patons Classic Wool Worsted.
They’re extremely warm and adaptable for use on the couch or in the bedroom. I’ve also produced several aran cable knit projects with Patons Classic Wool Worsted because the cable textures look great in pure wool and I can neatly block them.
However, I also enjoy other yarns in the Patons Classic Wool family because of their luxuriant textures.
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