Yarn & Garment FAQ's
General Care Questions
How should I wash my hand knitted items?
First things first — check the yarn label! Most of the luxury yarns we stock love a gentle hand wash in cool water with a wool-specific detergent. Avoid agitation (no vigorous swishing, please — that's how felting happens), gently squeeze out the excess water (never wring — your knits are not a dishcloth), then lay flat to dry on a clean towel.
We're big fans of Eucalan Delicate Wash — it's gentle, effective, and smells lovely.
Can I machine wash items made from your yarns?
Some of our yarns are superwash-treated and can handle a gentle machine cycle — we've noted this on the individual yarn pages in the store, so always check there first. That said, for all luxury fibres — Baby Yak, Merino, Shetland Wool, Corriedale, Cashmere — we strongly recommend hand washing to keep them looking and feeling their absolute best. Treat them well and they'll last a lifetime!
How do I block my finished projects?
Blocking is where the magic happens! After washing, gently reshape your item to its correct dimensions and pin it to a blocking mat or clean towel. Let it dry completely before unpinning — patience is a virtue here. Blocking evens out your stitches and gives your finished piece that polished, professional drape.
We've put together a Blocking Essentials Kit with everything you need to make your projects look as fabulous as they deserve.
Fibre Specific Care
How do I care for Merino wool items?
Merino is wonderfully soft but does like to be handled with care. Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool wash, avoid hot water and agitation, then lay flat to dry away from direct heat or sunlight. Store folded — never hung — to prevent stretching. Treat it right and it'll be your favourite thing to wear for years.
What's special about caring for possum blend yarns?
Possum fibre blends are incredibly soft, warm, and a little bit special — so treat them accordingly! Hand wash in cool water with minimal handling, avoid heat when drying (the natural insulation means it holds warmth, which is great on your body, less great in a dryer), and give them a gentle steam between washes to keep them fresh and fluffy.
How should I care for Cashmere items?
Cashmere is the diva of the fibre world — absolutely worth it, but it does have standards. Hand wash in cool water with a gentle wool wash or cashmere-specific detergent. Never twist or wring. Roll in a towel to remove excess water, then lay flat to dry. Store with cedar or lavender to keep the moths at bay — moths have terrible taste and should not be trusted near cashmere.
Can I wash Corriedale wool items?
Yes! Corriedale is a hardy, beautiful fibre that still appreciates a little TLC. Hand wash in cool to lukewarm water, and avoid sudden temperature changes — that's what causes felting. Corriedale blocks beautifully, so take full advantage and really show off that stitch definition.
Storage & Maintenance
How should I store my yarn and finished items?
Keep your stash and your knits happy! Store everything in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Use breathable cotton bags or bins rather than plastic — fibres need to breathe. Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets to deter moths, and always store knitwear folded, never hung (hanging stretches things out in ways you really don't want).
How do I protect against moths?
Moths are the nemesis of every yarn lover — but they're very preventable! Store only clean items (moths are attracted to oils and dirt), use cedar, lavender, or moth repellent sachets, and regularly handle and air out anything in storage. A quick inspection every now and then goes a long way.
How often should I wash my hand-knits?
Good news — not as often as you might think! Natural fibres are naturally odour resistant, so wash only when necessary — roughly every 3–5 wears for garments, or when visibly soiled. That said, always wash before storing for any length of time. Over-washing causes unnecessary wear on the fibres, so less is genuinely more here.
Troubleshooting
How do I get rid of the smell of mothballs?
Air it out! Place your yarn or garment outside in fresh air and indirect sunlight for a few days — the UV in sunlight helps break down the mothball compounds, and with a little patience and airflow, the smell should disappear on its own.
My item has pilled. What should I do?
Don't panic — pilling is completely normal, especially in the first few wears! Gently remove pills with a sweater comb or fabric shaver. Used correctly, these won't damage your garment at all and will restore that smooth, like-new appearance. A little maintenance goes a long way.
Can I fix a felted item?
Honestly? Felting is almost always irreversible — so prevention really is everything. Always use cool water, avoid agitation, and please, please don't put non-superwash wool in the washing machine or dryer. We say this with love.
How do I remove stains from wool?
Act fast! Blot (don't rub — rubbing spreads the stain and can damage the fibres) with cool water. For stubborn stains, a small amount of wool-safe detergent applied gently should do the trick. Always test on an inconspicuous area first, just to be safe.
Product Specific Questions
Where can I find care instructions for a specific yarn?
Most yarn pages in the store have detailed care instructions and fibre content listed — that's always your best first stop. You can also check the ball band or yarn label that came with your purchase for washing symbols and recommendations. And if you're gifting a hand knit, we highly recommend including the care instructions — the lucky recipient will thank you!
Do you recommend any specific wool washes?
We do — we love Eucalan Delicate Wash! It's non-toxic, biodegradable, free of optical brighteners, phosphates, synthetic fragrance and dye, and pH neutral. It also uses lanolin as a natural conditioner and comes scented (with quality essential oils) or unscented. Basically, it's the good stuff.
Still have questions? We'd love to help — reach out at shop@unwindandknit.com and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. 🧶