Washing hand knit sweaters

The problem with hand knit sweaters is the need to wash them by hand. UGH! So as you can imagine, I don’t do it enough. Usually the cuff of the sleeve will show the most dirt. As some point, enough, I need to wash them.

Well, I was lazy, even though these four sweaters are knit out of wool, some maybe super wash, but I’m not sure anymore.

I didn’t take pictures of the process. This is all after the washing. So as you can see, no tragedy. I threw 4 wool sweaters in the washing machine on the most delicate cycle and cold water. Hot water and agitation will felt wool.

Upon removing them, they were rather stretched out. Like really out of shape. At this point I pulled out bath towels, put them on the floor and sort of laid out the sweaters to dry. Not really blocking them into shape. This is where I should have taken a picture, but to be honest I was a little scared. No, they hadn’t shrunk, but what if they were stretched out of shape.

After 24 hours, when they were just slightly damp, they went into the dryer, on the fluff only cycle. Cold, no heat and very gentle. Just 10 minutes. IT WORKED! The sweaters settled into themselves. The stitches tightened up. Look, the lace and ruffle look as they should. Nice definition. AHH, a sigh of relief.

I know, on close inspection the lace band doesn’t match, but that is my problem when knitting the button band. Nothing can fix that. But the fit and comfort of the this are great. And it’s clean!

Here is an even better example of the pattern in it’s best form. This sweater is at least 18 years old. Still a great pullover. Btw, you have probably noticed, I have a fair number of brown, or orange sweaters. I guess I like that color.

After all these years. Still looks good.

This one is about 12 years old.

Do you see the little sparkle on the top? But only on the front, not on the back. Those were the days when I added beads to my knitting. Didn’t want any on the back, can you imagine leaning back in a chair and rubbing up against those beads?

I admit, beads do add interest to a knitted garment. Be it sweater or shawl. But I’m pretty sure those days are over for me. There are beads in the band as well. But the band has never laid flat, it always rolls in. There are two rows of garter stitch along the edge, not enough to prevent the roll. It should have simple been garter stitch without the fancy lace.

This sweater is only a year or two old. It got stretched out of shape the most. Probably because it is the loosest knit. It too benefited from it’s short time in the dryer.

In conclusion. hand knit sweaters can be washed in the machine. It’s the air drying flat that is very important. And then, 10 means on the fluff cycle and the sweaters are as good as new. I have a few more sweaters that need a wash.

Leah

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