Tip Tuesday: Yarn Care Tips for Long-Lasting Knits
Your projects deserve the best care to keep them looking fresh and beautiful for years to come. For this week’s Tip Tuesday, we're sharing essential yarn care dos & don’ts—from managing your yarn stash to washing finished items and protecting your precious knits from moths.
Let’s make sure your yarn will continue to bring you joy year after year.
1. Caring for Your Yarn
Storage is Key: Keep your yarn in a dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Long-exposure to direct sunlight can fade colors. Opt for breathable bags or bins rather than plastic bags. Plastic bags can trap moisture and moisture overtime can damage the fibers.
Storing your yarn off the floor and in enclosed containers helps reduce dust buildup, keeps it safe from pets and young children, and prevents unwanted critters from getting in.
Your Quince & Co yarns will arrive wound up in skeins. Avoid winding your yarn into balls until you’re ready to use it. Yarn stored in ball form for too long can lose its elasticity and bounce.
2. Washing Different Fibers
Check the Label: Every yarn type has its care instructions, so always consult the yarn label first.
General Washing Guidelines: Hand wash wool, alpaca, and other animal fibers in cool water with a gentle detergent. Cotton and linen can often handle a gentle machine wash, but it’s safest to hand wash delicate items.
Garments with a looser gauge or a lace should almost always be hand washed to prevent the stitches from getting snagged. If you choose to use a washing machine, consider placing the garment in a breathable, machine-safe cloth bag to provide extra protection during the wash.
Drying Tips: Lay items flat on a clean towel to dry, reshaping them as needed. Never wring or hang wet knits to dry them. This can cause the garment to stretch and will affect its fit.
3. Storing Finished Knits
Fold, Don’t Hang: Hanging knitted garments, even when dry, can cause them to stretch and lose their shape over time. To maintain their fit and structure, it’s best to fold sweaters and other knits neatly and store them on shelves or in drawers.
Seasonal Storage: In regions with drastic weather changes, consider storing your knits in breathable linen or cotton bags to allow proper airflow during the off-season. For added protection, tuck in cedar blocks or lavender sachets to ward off unwanted pests—especially moths!
4. Protecting Against Moths
Clean Before Storing: Wash and thoroughly dry your knits before storing. Moths are attracted to dirt, sweat, and food residue. Let’s not tempt them.
Inspect & Refresh: Regularly check stored items for any signs of moth damage. This could be done once every few months depending on how you are storing your yarns and how much of it you have. If you spot holes, inspect all nearby items and treat affected areas as soon as possible to keep the problem from spreading.
Moth Protection: Natural moth repellents like lavender sachets or cedar blocks can help keep pests away. Plus, they have the added benefit of smelling great!
By following these yarn care tips, you’ll extend the life of your yarn and stitches, keeping them safe season after season.
