Friday, September 7, 2007

Felted Duster

A cautionary tale: Wool is NOT my friend.

After completing my duster knitted from Berroco Peruvia that fit perfectly, I put it in the washing machine with the setting at cold water, handwash delicate cycle thinking it would firm up my stitches and remove the "wooly" smell. I was horrified to find that one side felted beyond repair -- although I used cold water, I think the gentle agitation added to the unwanted felting process. The whole thing is wasted and now I'll painfully cut off my fancy buttons and save for another day.

You may know this already, but PLEASE learn from my mistake and only hand wash your wool duster.

6 comments:

Courtney said...

I am sorry to hear that, I know you wont want to hear what is abou to come out of my mouth, but maybe you can just felt both sides and give it away as a childs coat. (trying to look at the glass half full)

Anonymous said...

=(

AJ said...

I am so, so sorry. I made a wool sweater and just let it sit in cold water and I think since it wasn't such a great yarn, that it felted. Not too much, but enough to make me feel bad and know that I'd never ever wear the thing.

Will you start a new one.

Anonymous said...

I will be really careful with mine. I just received my Peruvia today from Webs and I am starting my duster now. I think that I will put my swatch in "handwash" in my washer and see what happens.

Anonymous said...

OK, I chickened out and didn't put it in the machine. I just submerged it in cold water and then let it dry. I'm so glad that you posted about the Peruvia since I would have made the same mistake. But I am so sorry about yours.
Are you brave enough to try another?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this as I'm using peruvia too. I'm so sorry it has happened to you though. What a complete bummer.