Friday, October 30, 2009

Counting up-


I've been working on other stuff too this week. I am trying to decide whether I need more yarn for this project. There's not much out there for sale, I should probably pick up two or three balls.

4 comments:

smariek said...

Which Noro yarn are you using?

For the past few days I've been thinking about using my Noro Kureyon Sock yarn for a scarf ... but the yarn feels so scratchy to my hands! I'm not sure it would be wearable around the neck.

junior_goddess said...

Rinse it in vinegar. That smooths the cortex, and it should soften significantly.

smariek said...

Interesting. Would that be a separate vinegar (100% or diluted?) rinse before or after a Eucalan wool wash bath?

junior_goddess said...

After the entire cycle is completed, leave socks in washer and begin a rinse cycle, adding about 1/4 cup vinegar. Vinegar is the most natural and effective laundry softener; and can be used in the last rinse cycle, or 2nd to last rinse cycle if you'd rather not have a faint vinegar scent in your laundry.
http://www.greenerpasturesfarm.com/RealSocksPurchasing.html

or
Another thing you can use to soften knits is vinegar. Acids will cause the scales in wool to lie down. It works on human hair, too. Rinse your hair with a capful of vinegar in about 2 cups of water or so. It'll be soft and smooth, and unfortunately limp.

Alkaline pH will cause the scales to rise, making wool feel rougher. This also works on hair. Wash your hair with a paste of baking soda. When you're done, it'll feel distinctly different. If your hair tends to be limp, baking soda will give it body and make it more manageable...but it will feel less soft.

Since soaps and detergents are alkaline, it makes sense to put a little vinegar in the rinse water when washing woolens.

off of tech knitter.

I'd guess just a little at the very end.