Tuesday, January 4, 2011

How I Made Scratchy Yarn Like Buttah



Image Source - google images
Recently I made a great scarf. I had my dad try it on and he told me he didn't like how it felt on his neck.  Boo!  I can't say I'm surprised, because the yarns I used were Red Heart Super Saver, Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool, and a really rough, straight from the sheep wool I picked up in Oaxaca.

I'm not dissing on any of these yarns.  I adore them all, but let's be honest- they don't have the best reputations for being squooshy and buttery to the touch.

So let me tell you (step by step) what I did to make my scratchy scarf buttery smooth. Saturday Night Live character Linda Richman would say, "Like buttah."   

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Thanks to Leslie on Crochetbug for the Red Heart in vinegar tip!

1.  Soak the scarf for 20 min in a cold vinegar solution.  (Ratio of 1:64, vinegar to water should do.)

2.  Rinse

3.  Hand wash in cold water with shampoo. Do not agitate.

4.  Rinse twice

5.  Gently massage in a generous amount of hair conditioner into each part until it is saturated.

6.  Let sit 10 min.

7.  Soak saturated scarf in cold water for at least an hour. 

8.  Rinse twice.

9.  Gently get rid of excess water by lightly squeezing, and rolling in a towel.

10. Block garment by laying flat to dry.

I used cheap Suave shampoo and conditioner for this, and not only is my scarf like buttah, it also smells like apples.