eNewsletter
December 2005

How to figure out what laundering symbols mean

When I buy yarn, one of my first questions is how to wash it. Sometimes, the yarn label, especially yarns that are manufactured outside the US, contain the International symbols for laundering. I know a few of them, but certainly not all. So I was delighted to find a site that explains all the symbols and also offers them in PDF format. I printed my copy right away. If you are interested to figure them out go to www.textileaffairs.com and see them for yourself or print a copy to carry around. There is also wonderful information about stain removal on that site. We definitely need it this time of the year!

A follow up on last month's article

Last month we talked about naturally colored FoxFibre® yarn, and I asked our readers to send us comments about their experiences with this yarn. Marlyce Swinnerton from Windsor/Ontario has this comment about FoxFibre®:

"I used several shades of this naturally colored cotton in a sweater several years ago. I did not realize that the colors would run and was somewhat disappointed in the result after washing. The ecru color also became darker and somewhat dingy looking. The only complaint I had was that the colors ran when I washed them. I guess the answer would be not to mix the colors in the same garment, and certainly not mix them with the ecru or ivory next to the camel shade. When I reread the description on the hank tag, it did describe the colors darkening and intensifying, but did not mention the running into each other.

However, I should say that the yarn is wonderful to knit, and wears beautifully. I always get compliments on the sweater, even now years later. It still looks fresh and new, but is soft looking."

Nazanin S. Fard

Needlecraft University