Caring for Your Hand-Crafted Projects

After you have put a lot of effort into handcrafting beautiful things, it is important to preserve that beauty as long as possible.  Improper storage and laundering are the most common causes of damage to crocheted and knitted items and often result in the item being ruined.

So how do you properly care for your hand crafted items?

Washing and drying instructions for the fibre you’ve used are generally noted on the yarn label.  Read our tip from August 2020 for help understanding the yarn labels .  If you are not sure what the fibre is or don’t have access to the label:

• Hand-wash your item if necessary (or use the gentle cycle on your washing machine).  When doing so submerge your items, let it soak for a bit and give it a gentle squeeze/agitation before rinsing.
• Use a mild detergent.
• Gently squeeze the excess water out – don’t twist or wring the items.
• Lay your item flat on a towel in the shape they should be (almost like blocking) which will help them retain their shape and fit, and
• Let them dry in the open air.  This also helps to keep them smelling fresh.

If you are gifting items, it is a good idea to include the care instructions so they get the best life out of them.

Of course washing hand-made items should be kept to a minimum.  Over-washing can ruin the fibres.  Many natural fibres (e.g. wool) are stain-resistant, therefore don’t need a lot of washing.  Some alternatives to washing include:

• Place your item inside a bag and place it flat in the freezer – this eliminates odors and keeps it free from mould and fibre-eating pests.
• Place your items outside to be aired.
• Give your items a spot-clean – particulalry if something has been spilt on them.  If you can do this straight away rather than leaving it to sit, it will come out easily.  To do this, get a clean wet towel and with gentle strokes, wipe/blot the area that is dirty to remove the dirt/stain then leave to dry.

Never hang your hand knitted/crocheted garment as they will lose their shape – instead fold them or roll them up and place them on a shelf in a cool, dry and dark place.  This applies regardless of the fibre used in your garment.

When storing your hand-made items away for a period of time – make sure they are clean and dry. Fibre-eating pests are attracted to stained fibres and dirt particles while damp fibres will rot.  Here are some methods I have heard of being used:

• Fold garments flat and place them inside breathable containers that are well sealed – such as a cotton pillow case, or fabric bins or a cedar chest.  Avoid plastic or air-tight containers as this can cause mould to develop.  Air-tight containers can also cause the characteristics of the yarn to change.
• Place layers of tissue paper between each item.
• Place herbs such as lavender, cedar or rosemary or cedar blocks or lavender sachets close to or with your stored items, to repel moths and insects.  You could alternatively use cotton wool soaked in the oils – but make sure to wrap the cotton wool so that it doesn’t leak onto your projects. Replace them when the smell disappears as this indicates they have lost their potency.
• Check items you’ve put in storage every month or so.  If during one of your checks you do find a moth, don’t despair – get rid of the moth and immediately place your item in a bag in the freezer for at least 48 hours. This will successfully kill any insect larvae and/or eggs. Once removed from the freezer, wash the items again before placing them back into storage.
• Avoid placing moth balls in the bag with your items as they can actually cause damage to some fibres.
• Put your items away in a cool and dark closet – not sitting in direct sunlight or heat as this can cause sweating and fading of the colours.
• If you live in an area that experiences a lot of mould, items can be stored in the fridge when not in use.
• And when you do remove your items from storage – give them a good airing!