Review of Laila's socks, Elann Baby Cashmere and how I wash my knitting

Last December, I knit "Laila's Socks" from "Folk Knitting in Estonia" by Nancy Bush.  Full details on the socks and yarn, as well as photos of how the socks looked when first knit can be found in this post.

Many of you wanted a review on how the yarn held up, since it is A) cashmere, well a cashmere blend, and B) cheap.  Since the socks have had plenty of washing and wearings, I thought it would be a good time to show how they are doing.  Especially since we are heading into the colder months and Elann will probably have this yarn available again.  And there have been murmurings from other knitting bloggers about maybe knitting these socks.

I'm actually quite pleased with how the yarn and the socks look.  These have only been subjected to handwashing in synthrapol.  My method for washing delicate knitwear is to fill a bowl or bucket with hot water, add a bit of synthrapol, and lay the knitwear on top of the water, allowing the wicking properties of water to saturate the garment.   Synthrapol is a wetting agent used to prep yarn, fiber or the whatnot for dyeing.   I've soaked what appeared to be clean yarn in hot water and synthrapol and been absolutely shocked and disgusted at what comes out of it.  The dirt, grease and grime, ugh!  So I'm confident that the synthrapol and hot water will not damage the yarn and knitting, especially since absolutely no agitation is neccessary, but will still get the garment clean.  Especially socks. 

Tangent within a tangent.  If the yarn bleeds, use cold water.  Hot water will make it bleed more.  And whomever started the whole "vinegar will stop the bleeding" myth was wrong.  Vinegar will not set dye unless you are also heating the yarn to a much higher temperature than hot tap water. 

Edited to add:  several of you have mentioned Eucalan.  I actually am not a fan of eucalan, cause the idea of not rinsing soap out of my knitting is gross.  I find that the oil (lanolin and the essential oils) attracts dirt and I'm all for not attracting dirt.  I also clean my carpets with vinegar and hot water because carpets washed with carpet cleaner get dirtier faster.  I should probably stop talking and maybe go start a cleaning blog.

Depending on the fiber content, I'll soak the knitwear overnight, basically however long it takes to let the water cool to room temperature.  I then dump everything into a sink, let it drain and refill the bowl with tepid water.  Lay the garment back in the bowl, allow it immerse and then drain it again, and repeat until the garment is soap free.  Lay flat to dry. 

This is probably more work than most of you are up for, but after spending the hours knitting something, especially out of a delicate and expensive yarn, I think the extra effort is worth it to keep it looking its best and lasting as long as possible.  It also makes me love my superwash socks all the more.

But back to the elann cashmere and the socks.  The socks have taken on a definite fuzz halo and there has been some extra fuzziness around the heels.  The feet bottoms have felted a bit, but no pilling.  I'm pretty pleased with how the yarn has held up, but probably wouldn't use this yarn for socks that were not some sort of fair isle pattern, as the stranding of the yarn must have something to do with how well these have held up.  I'd be wary of using the yarn for socks single stranded.

My favorite thing about these socks actually has little to do with them.  I was lucky enough to have met Nancy Bush.  I told her I knit Laila's socks out of cashmere and she said that she thought Laila herself would be pleased!

Comments

[loribird]

Wow, those are gorgeous... I've been contemplating that pattern, now I definitely have to knit it!
Thanks for sharing washing techniques - I'm always looking for new ways, since I have to rescue all the handknits from a (well-meaning) husband's laundry efforts.

[June]

I've noticed that cold/hot water effect on color bleeding. Any idea what the mechanism is?

[LaurieM]

Yeah, your favourite thing with these socks has to do with you. That's a nice compliment from Nancy. Did you tell her you were doing her socks as a master works project?

[maryse]

those socks are beautiful. i love them.

[di]

Wow- it's so nice when socks have little stories around them. I love your Nancy Bush story. Did you tell her about how many of her other patterns you have knitted and are planning to knit?
You've reminded me I really should take better care of my knitwear...

[blossom]

what a great review! when you do post, you write great things!! i like the fuzz halo. it looks really warm and cozy. perhaps you may need to need this patterna again with your own yarn. i'd love to see that!

[Alison]

Wow, those socks are nice! I might have to treat my feet someday:)

[Jocelyn]

The socks are beautiful, but Nancy Bush's comment must have made your day!

[Liz K.]

Thanks for the lesson in washing woolens. I just had a sweater made of Cotton Fleece bleed in the wash (just a tub of cold water with a little lavender shampoo), and now it looks almost tie-dyed, where some areas have darker splotches and some areas look faded. This is the second time I washed this garment too. As the dye-ing and fiber guru, do you have any ideas of how I could get things to even out? I am just sick about it!

[jess]

I was wondering how they were holding up! I absolutely love that pattern and I love your version. :)

I think I am going to use baby ull for mine -- or order some solids from you! [once I finish up some other SiP.]

[MJ]

I have 3 balls of that same yarn, same color. I was thinking of making socks with it also, but going down a needle size from what's acceptable so that it makes a nice, tight weave. Thanks for the sock update, it definitely sheds light on the yarn! I wish more knitbloggers would do yarn/project updates like that.

[carrie m]

i think they look even nicer now than when you first knit them. they're worn and loved.

[Vickery]

Thank you for the review--the socks look great!

[Stacey]

Good to know - I eyed those socks when you first made them, and have been waiting for Elann to get the yarn back in. I figure they will make a great pair of cozy socks!

[Carla]

Where do you buy synthrapol??

[Beth S.]

That was a VERY useful post! I really appreciate that you took the time to give us an update on this project. The socks look damn good for cashmere that has seen regular wear!

I wash my handknit socks pretty much the same way you do, except that I use Eucalan. I'll even do this for my superwash socks sometimes, especially if they're lacy (I'm paranoid about snags.)

[Agnes]

Very interesting ... I checked on synthrapol ... it's true that using that would mean a lot more work than Eucalan, but that might be worth the while. Just that I may have to prepare myself for the horror of seeing "the dirt, grease and grime" ... hahaha ...

[amanda]

thanks for the washing info. that is really great to know, especially for the really NICE items that I knit. i am going to take part in eye candy friday for sure this week. great idea!

[Julia]

This is a great review - so informative and helpful. I might not use your washing method all the time, but I can definitely see using it at least twice a year (at the beginning and end of the sweater season) on my special knits. Your socks are lovely, and you have sold me on the yarn for stranding.

[Mich]

I would also love to know where I could buy some synthrapol!

[jillian]

A wonderful story! Thank you for sharing :)

[Valerie in San Diego]

Hmm. Laila is the name of my cat; I wonder if I should make them for her...

Beautiful knitting and excellent review!

[Kelli]

Jeez louise! That is some of the prettiest knitting I've ever seen!

[kris]

oh, i love these socks so much! finally got my hands on the book; now just need the perfect yarn!

and a cleaning blog sounds like a fab idea ;-)

[Annie]

Ok, I gotta ask about the carpet thing. You use hot water and vinegar? Do you use that with a steam cleaner or something? I have a carpet that I need to clean that supposedly has stain guard (heh) and it could use a good cleaning. I'd rather not use some heavy duty soap so your vinegar thing really interests me!