How to Launder and Care For Your Chunky Handknit Blanket

You take the time and care to knit a warm, comforting chunky blanket, which becomes essential on those brisk, chilly days. With so much use, you must launder your hand-knit blankets regularly. In this article, we will talk about the best way to launder your chunky hand-knit blankets so that they don't unravel, shrink, fade, or pill.

How To Launder Your Handknit Blanket

The first step in caring for your handknit blanket is to know what type of yarn was used. Different fibers require different types of laundering.

Washable Yarn

If you knit your blanket with washable wool or acrylic yarn, it can be washed in the washing machine on a low cycle with either cold or warm water. It can even be dried in the dryer on a low heat setting. If your washing machine has an agitator, consider hand washing it because the agitator can cause pilling and unraveling. If you have a front loader washer, washing should not cause any damage.

Delicate Wool

If your chunky blanket has been knit with fuzzy, unspun, roving wool or another type of delicate wool, water will damage the fibers and the airy appearance. For these types of wool blankets, have them professionally dry-cleaned at least twice per year.

Hand-Dyed Yarn

If you used hand-dyed yarn to knit your blanket, a simple airing out might do the trick. But, if your blanket needs to be washed, always hand wash it with minimal agitation. Use cool water with a low suds wool wash. Hot water and harsh detergents will cause the fibers to become damaged and the color to fade. You can soak it for a short period, but do not rub it to clean it. Lay flat on a towel to dry.

Wool

All-natural wool requires hand washing, especially if it is pre-felted wool yarn. Use cold water with a wool-specific soap and do not agitate or rub. Lay the blanket flat on a towel to dry. The following washing soaps are recommended for delicate fibers, like wool:

• Soak Wash
• Ecover Wool & Silk
• Dirty Labs
• KnitIQ No Rinse Delicate Wash
• Outback Gold

If your home is like mine, we use our comfy, chunky knit blankets all year. Airing them out every few weeks will help you to extend the time that they need to be washed. Too much washing can begin to break down the fibers, so try to limit washing to a few times each year. Follow these recommendations to keep your blankets fresh and beautiful for years to come.