After-Care: Caring For Your Knits

We tend to spend so much energy prior to knitting planning; choosing the right patterns, making sure the color is perfect and spending a little extra on just the right tools. Then the hours that goes into the garments and accessories. But what about after we are done making our knits? How about 6 months, a year or more later when we have some wear and tear?

Crafting hand knits is a labor of love, and caring for them afterward is just as crucial. Proper aftercare, including blocking and maintenance, is key to preserving your hard work and ensuring it looks its best. Whether you've used superwash or non-superwash yarn, aftercare is where you add that extra touch of craftsmanship.

Determining whether you've used superwash or non-superwash yarn is simple; just check the label or feel the yarn itself. All wool is composed of microscopic barbs, so when you treat the yarn to be ‘superwash’ you are coating the barbs. Typically this gives the yarn a smoother effect, while non-superwash yarns retain their natural properties and you can typically see still a lot of spring and bounce in the yarn. Non-superwash yarn do require just a bit more delicate care because they will felt if put into the washing machine.

Once your beautiful project is complete, the next step is blocking. This final touch transforms your creation from homemade to handmade. There are two main methods: wet blocking and steam blocking. Both involve using wool wash to clean and soften the fibers.

Wet blocking is ideal for achieving specific dimensions, letting texture show through and evening out stitches in general. We use this same technique to hand-wash our knits years after.

Submerge your item in lukewarm water with Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Wool Wash, let soak for 5 to 10 minutes (don’t forget to check for any color bleeding). Once it has soaked it should be clean and your ready to pull from your tub or basin, gently squeezing out excess water with the Cocoknits Absorbent Towel. Then lay flat to dry on Cocoknits Blocking Mats. When wet blocking, be cautious of superwash yarn's tendency to grow and non-superwash yarn's susceptibility to felting.

Steam blocking is quicker and suitable for items without a lot of texture or to control growth. To steam blocking, lightly spray your item with Farmer’s Daughter Fiber’s Wool Wash Spray and use a garment steamer to gently shape and flatten it.

After wearing your handknits, you may notice pills or loss of fluffiness, especially with non-superwash yarns or fuzzy yarns. Use tools like the Cocoknits Fuzz-off Comb to Remove Pills or the Cocoknits Sweatercare brush to rejuvenate fluffiness.

Remember, wool doesn't retain odors, so knits don't need frequent washing unless soiled. Overwashing can lead to pilling and wear. Store your items flat to maintain their shape, avoiding stretching from hanging. With proper aftercare, your handknits will stand the test of time and wear.