Not as charming as Carole's method for drying socks, but effective.
Even though many of my hand knit socks are superwash wool, I've found that the dryer is not kind to them. It's better to let them air dry. And to play it safe, I hand wash them too. Most would be fine in the machine on gentle, but I have a few pairs of 100% wool and I don't trust myself to remember which is which.
The only socks I wash and dry in the machine are the ones made from Online Supersocke Cotton (cotton/wool blend). They've been through the wringer, so to speak, and still look brand new. They receive no special treatment from me--washed with all the other dirty clothes in warm water, regular cycle and dried on medium heat. The only thing I have to watch out for are the Velcro closures on John's fishing shirts. Velcro and hand knits do not play well together.
Does anyone know of a superwash wool that does well in the washer and dryer?
Very clever! DH has several pairs of handknit socks, and I never give them any special treatment. They all still look almost new, except the Lang Jawoll pair which has some wear spots that have been darned. The Regia pair has worn like iron, and I'm surprised at how well the Emu Superwash ones have held up since thy are 100% wool. I wish I had more advice, but my socks don't get worn as often as DH's!
ReplyDeleteHey
ReplyDeleteI recognize those socks...
I love em!
JHB
What a great idea! I handwash mine, too, but air dry them hanging on the towel rack. Your way looks more efficient.
ReplyDeleteOpal sock yarn does well in the washer and the dryer. Trekking, too. Interlacements Toasty Toes shrinks and felts!
I've only knit about 7 pairs of socks, and the one pair that I sent through the dryer got all fuzzy. I think that air drying is best ;o)
ReplyDeleteSorry, I also hand wash and air dry all mine.
ReplyDeleteMy washing machine has a hand wash cycle and I wash all the socks using that. And you know all about my drying method. :-)
ReplyDeleteHmmm.....that's a good point.....as I get more socks knit, some will probably be superwash and some not, and I probably won't remember which is which. Hand washing everything would definitely be safest.
ReplyDeleteI throw all my superwash in the washer on cold and in the dryer on low heat with no problems. The only sock yarn I've had trouble with is knitpicks essentials. I think they might have changed suppliers because the last set of socks I did for my grandsons ended up shrinking 2".
ReplyDeleteI haven't had any shrink in the dryer--I've used Regia, Opal and Socks that Rock most often--but I did find that if the dryer heat is too high the socks seem to get "scratchy" and that's not so good! I machine wash and dry all of mine but do them in a tiny load with other lightweight items of my own--they don't get washed in a regular load--and take them out JUST before they're completely dry.
ReplyDeleteMost of my socks go in the washer and dryer without any problems :-).
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