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knitafew
New Pal
USA
19 Posts |
 Posted - 02/27/2011 : 11:14:29 AM
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Greetings, I read through many fantastic yarn articles here at KR and would love any tips & hints about steering clear of itchy yarn. I love natural fibers but some are so darn itchy!
Thanks
Chloe
Wishing you time to knit |
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Shelia
Permanent Resident
USA
2315 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2011 : 11:07:28 AM
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I know what you mean by asking, but my take on itchiness is that it's a very individually subjective thing. Especially with commercial garments, I've suffered a lot from itchy sweaters over the years, but I generally don't have a problem with most knitting yarns and types of wool. It also differs depending on where I'll be wearing the woolen garment - my feet don't really have a lot of sensitivity, but the back of my neck can still react to a wool scarf, depending on the yarn. I think Clara does a great job of giving us enough information that we can make some choices of options then test out the feel of the wool on our own skin.
Shelia
www.letstalkstash.blogspot.com
ravelry name - sheliaknits |
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Consuelo
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
582 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2011 : 2:57:00 PM
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Well, merino wool is pretty soft as is anything with Alpaca or silk, even acrylic can be softer than some wools. However, if you get a wool that seems a bit scratchy, try soaking it in hair conditioner over night. You'll be amazed how much softer it gets.
Consuelo
"Travel is fatal to prejudice" Mark Twain |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1729 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2011 : 3:02:39 PM
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I can't wear any wool next to my skin, other than socks and mittens, no matter what it is. I just know that I will wear a t-neck or blouse under a sweater and then I have no problem.
For scarves, I use the wool ones as an embellishment and the soft acrylics to wrap around my neck, or I have some silk scarves and they are amazingly warm and very skin friendly.
See My Stuff: Here
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NutmegOwl
Gabber Extraordinaire
561 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 08:13:04 AM
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There are wools, yarns and sweaters that are itchy?
To Shelia's point, we are all different ...
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Nutmeg Owl
Quaecumque sunt vera
http://www.owlwaysknitting.wordpress.com |
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PBELKNAP
Permanent Resident
USA
1127 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 12:02:29 PM
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I find that washable wools aren't scratchy. I try to buy superwash yarn when I'm going to make something that's supposed to be next to my skin, like socks, gloves, mittens, or scarves.
Otherwise, I usually wear a shirt under all my sweaters.
*************************
PAM
Twitter Name = WildKnitter
Blog: http://wildknitter.blogspot.com
If I could only do this for a living... |
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knitafew
New Pal
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 2:22:39 PM
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 I had no idea that if one found yarn itchy that another might not DUH!
chloe
'wishing you time to knit' |
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knitafew
New Pal
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 2:23:53 PM
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Thanks Consuelo... Conditioner overnight - Love this tip!
Chloe
quote:
Originally posted by Consuelo
Well, merino wool is pretty soft as is anything with Alpaca or silk, even acrylic can be softer than some wools. However, if you get a wool that seems a bit scratchy, try soaking it in hair conditioner over night. You'll be amazed how much softer it gets.
Consuelo
"Travel is fatal to prejudice" Mark Twain
chloe
'wishing you time to knit' |
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knitafew
New Pal
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2011 : 2:26:43 PM
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Thanks so much, this is what I was hoping for a personal hard rule of sorts - Superwashable sounds great.
Chloe
quote:
Originally posted by PBELKNAP
I find that washable wools aren't scratchy. I try to buy superwash yarn when I'm going to make something that's supposed to be next to my skin, like socks, gloves, mittens, or scarves.
Otherwise, I usually wear a shirt under all my sweaters.
*************************
PAM
Twitter Name = WildKnitter
Blog: http://wildknitter.blogspot.com
If I could only do this for a living...
chloe
'wishing you time to knit' |
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Kade1301
Permanent Resident
France
1426 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 05:01:34 AM
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My mother always said that when wool is itchy, it's too warm for wearing it - seems to work for me. My Masham hat with ear flaps didn't pose a problem this morning a few degrees above freezing (I forgot, when spinning and knitting it, that wheras on my head my hair would act as a buffer, the ear flaps would touch my ears and cheeks. Masham is NOT recommended for next-to-skin wear...). The other thing is that I notice that I suffer more from itchy wool when my skin is too dry.
Bye, Klara
http://www.lahottee.info |
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Clara
queen bee
USA
4363 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2011 : 11:21:51 AM
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Klara - your mother spoke the truth! Studies have proven that the receptors in our skin are more sensitive in warm weather than they are in cold. Moral of the story: Always live in a cold climate. 
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
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knitafew
New Pal
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2011 : 08:44:45 AM
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Yes, and a cold climate = more knitted warmies too!
quote:
Originally posted by Clara
Klara - your mother spoke the truth! Studies have proven that the receptors in our skin are more sensitive in warm weather than they are in cold. Moral of the story: Always live in a cold climate.
Clara
Your friendly Knitter's Review publisher
chloe
'wishing you time to knit' |
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Topic |
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The Itch Factor
