Accidental Felting

KnittingShieldMaiden · 12-10-2010, 12:43 PM

So my mom chose out this yarn she wants me to make socks for her out of, it's Crystal Palace brand, 100% Peruvian Wool. If my mother just throws these socks in the washing machine with the family laundry of blue jeans etc, which is something she WILL do, won't they felt? I'm really worried about this. Can someone relieve me of my fear and anxiety?
Thanks!!
~KnittingShieldMaiden~

Mirl56 · 12-10-2010, 05:49 PM

Do you still have the label? It will say if it's machine washable or not. If it isn't, you're right - it will felt!!

You could try looking at other Crystal Palace sock yarns, make sure to look at washable ones, to see if you can find the same color your Mom picked.

KnittingShieldMaiden · 12-10-2010, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mirl56

Do you still have the label? It will say if it's machine washable or not. If it isn't, you're right - it will felt!!

You could try looking at other Crystal Palace sock yarns, make sure to look at washable ones, to see if you can find the same color your Mom picked.

Yeah, I had to go dig it out of me stash, but it's actually Cascade Yarns, in "Heathers" 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. I can't find anything that says "machine washable" So...does that mean I can't make ANYTHING out of this yarn that would need to be washed? What would that be? How did people make wool things without them felting for the years and years before they invented superwash wool???

suzeeq · 12-10-2010, 06:20 PM

Cascade 220 will felt. They have a superwash that probably wouldn't.

Felting happens when you use a washing machine to agitate the item. That's usually what you need to do to felt something and a washer that agitates has only been common about the last 50 or 60 years. Before that, most people washed by hand or used another type of machine.

trvvn5 · 12-10-2010, 06:22 PM

I'd imagine that its going to felt pretty easily. I know a lot of people who have used Peruvian Wool with the sole purpose of felting it. So if you want to make something for her, it's probably gonna have to be something that will only get washed occassionally and something that she will be willing to hand wash.

KnittingShieldMaiden · 12-10-2010, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by suzeeq

Cascade 220 will felt. They have a superwash that probably wouldn't.

Felting happens when you use a washing machine to agitate the item. That's usually what you need to do to felt something and a washer that agitates has only been common about the last 50 or 60 years. Before that, most people washed by hand or used another type of machine.

So, if she hand washes them (or more realistically has ME handwash them) will they still felt? Or if they are handwashed will they not felt?? And would having to wash them VERY CAREFULLY cause them to not really get clean?? Ah the agony of not knowing everything!

suzeeq · 12-10-2010, 07:02 PM

I doubt she's going to want to hand wash them, but that could prevent felting. Another thing is they might felt slightly from being worn; friction plus heat can cause that. You really ought to think about a superwash yarn for these socks and use this one for a scarf or hat that doesn't need to be washed as often or thoroughly as socks so would be easier to hand wash. Cascade 220 does come in superwash and you can probably find the same color so she'll like it. Also, worsted weight is pretty thick for socks anyway, unless they're to be worn in the house or in boots because they'd be too thick to fit in shoes comfortably.

KnittingShieldMaiden · 12-10-2010, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by suzeeq

I doubt she's going to want to hand wash them, but that could prevent felting. Another thing is they might felt slightly from being worn; friction plus heat can cause that. You really ought to think about a superwash yarn for these socks and use this one for a scarf or hat that doesn't need to be washed as often or thoroughly as socks so would be easier to hand wash. Cascade 220 does come in superwash and you can probably find the same color so she'll like it. Also, worsted weight is pretty thick for socks anyway, unless they're to be worn in the house or in boots because they'd be too thick to fit in shoes comfortably.

Yeah, we were thinking fuzzy wear around the house socks. I didn't think about the felting while worn thing. I'll swing by my LYS today and see what they got that's similar. THANKS!! (glad I decided to ask and didn't just make them...lol)

Jan in CA · 12-10-2010, 07:38 PM

If you can find some with a little nylon in them they'll hold up better, too.

Becky Morgan · 12-11-2010, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by KnittingShieldMaiden

Yeah, we were thinking fuzzy wear around the house socks.

If she's going to wear them around the house, the DROPS Christmas calendar has a really neat felted slipper-sock pattern that might be perfect.