Benefits of Hypoallergenic Wool
Anything that is hypoallergenic causes fewer reactions than other types of products. People who are sensitive to skin allergies should be especially careful when choosing wool types to ensure they do not have an allergic reaction from it. Allergies can develop at any time even if you never had them before. So choosing clothing and linens that are not prone to causing allergic reactions is a good idea. If you are purchasing wool knitting yarn to make items for yourself it is simple smart shopping. However, if you are using it for a gift, you should always look for non-reactive materials because you never know what someone may be sensitive to.
Who should you consider when buying wool?
If you know you are prone to skin sensitivities you may want to lean toward wool knitting yarn that is hypoallergenic. Ensuring the wool you use in your knitting patterns will not cause a reaction on your skin is a good idea so that you are always comfortable. If you are knitting something as a gift, though, you should be especially careful. Often people make kitted gifts for babies. You should always make sure to use the safest wool for baby’s delicate skin. Whether you are making clothing such as hats, sweaters and booties or linens such as receiving blankets and cocoons, using non allergenic wools is recommended.
Caring For Your Knitted Garments
Whether you knit garments yourself or you have received a gift of a hand knitted item you need to know how to care for it properly so the natural fibres stay in the best shape possible. Hand knitted garments take time to make and show the talent of who made it. You do not want that talent to go to waste by reducing the life of the clothes. Caring for items created with wool knitting yarn takes some special care that is not necessarily difficult, but needs to be adhered to in order to preserve the garment.
Type of fabric
The type of care that is required will depend greatly on the type of yarn. If you have an alpaca fibre you will need to care for it differently than cotton. Hand dyed yarns will need additional care in comparison to natural fibres. If you are the one who made the outfit, check the label on the skein of yarn for any special instructions. If you received it as a gift and it is possible, ask the person who made it what it is made of and how it should be cared for. If you are unsure, handle it as if it were regular knitting wools. Regular wool should be hand washed using cold water and lain flat to dry, making sure you shape it before it dries. Washable wool can be washed in the laundry as can cotton, linen and ramie, using the gentle cycle. Synthetic fibres can be laundered with the rest of your clothing.