Before you wash
- Air the knit. Wool largely cleans itself: laying it flat by an open window for a few hours removes odours.
- Spot-clean stains straight away with a damp cloth and a little wool wash.
- Check the yarn label. Our Peruvian Highland wool yarns, such as FACES, are hand wash only.
How to hand wash, step by step
- Fill a basin with lukewarm water, 30 °C at most. Rinse at the same temperature: a sudden temperature change combined with rubbing is what felts wool.
- Dissolve the wool wash in the water before you add the knit.
- Submerge the knit, press it gently so it soaks through, and leave it for 10–15 minutes. Don't rub or squeeze it.
- Rinse in water at the same temperature, unless you use a no-rinse wool wash.
- Lift it out with both hands, supporting all the weight. A soaked super bulky knit is heavy and stretches under its own weight.
- Remove the water by pressing it against the basin, then roll it in a dry towel and press or step on the roll. Never wring it.
- Dry flat on another dry towel, away from radiators and direct sun. Turn it over after a few hours.
How to block chunky knits
| Method | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Wet blocking | Wash or soak the piece, towel out the water and dry it flat to size, pinned if needed | Sweaters, blankets, curling edges |
| Spray blocking | Lay the dry piece out to size and mist it with water until damp; let it dry | Hats, cowls, quick touch-ups |
| Steam blocking | Hover a steam iron over the piece without touching it, then let it cool flat | Evening out stitches and cables |
Don't block ribbing by stretching it: it loses its elasticity. On textured stitches such as cables or seed stitch, never press down with the iron.
What's different about super bulky wool
- It holds a lot of water. Use two or three towels to press it out.
- It takes time to dry: allow 24–48 hours for a sweater or a blanket.
- Never hang it wet. It stretches and loses its shape. A blanket dries best on a flat drying rack or on a bed covered with towels.
For blankets, see also the best yarn for chunky blankets.
Mistakes that ruin wool
- Hot water or sudden temperature changes.
- Rubbing, wringing or a fast spin.
- A tumble dryer or a radiator.
- Hanging the knit wet or storing it on a hanger.
Pilling and storage
Pilling is normal on wool, especially where it rubs, such as under the arms. Remove pills with a sweater comb or a fabric shaver. Store knits folded, never on hangers, clean, and with cedar or lavender against moths.
What about raffia?
Paper raffia isn't washed: it's spot-cleaned with a damp cloth. We explain it in how to crochet with raffia.
FAQ
Can I machine wash chunky wool?
We recommend hand washing. The drum's movement can felt or stretch the wool, especially super bulky knits, which are very heavy when wet.
How often should I wash a wool sweater?
A few times a season. Between washes, airing is usually enough.
Does blocking change the size?
It relaxes and evens out the stitches. Wool stretches a little when wet, which is why you dry it flat to the measurements you want.
How long does it take to dry?
About 24–48 hours for a super bulky knit, depending on its thickness and how humid your home is.
