Caring for handmade crochet
Washing, drying and storing crochet, so it lasts. What to do for cotton, wool and acrylic.
A well-made piece deserves care. A few habits keep crochet looking good for years.
Always start with the yarn label
Keep the label, or take a photo of it, for every project. It tells you how the yarn should be washed.
Washing
- Cotton and acrylic. Usually machine-washable on a gentle cycle. Use a mesh bag for items with loops or fringe.
- Wool. Hand-wash in cool water with a wool wash. Do not agitate, as that can felt it.
- Blends. Follow the more delicate fibre.
Drying
Squeeze the water out gently. Do not wring. Roll the piece in a towel, then lay it flat to dry, reshaping it as you go. Hanging heavy pieces stretches them.
Storing
Fold, don’t hang. Store in a breathable cotton bag rather than plastic. Cedar or lavender sachets help keep moths away from wool.
Repairs
Keep a small ball of leftover yarn from each project. A quick repair on a loose stitch is much easier than a big fix later.