Question: I’ve posted on “watcha knitting July” a picture of the baby blanket I just finished. I’m going to include one of yarn bands with care instructions in the package when I mail. My question is should I suggest that after washing to lay out to dry mostly then place in dryer for touch up. One to preserve the blanket and to kind of block each time or just chance it and throw in dryer. I just know how hard washing & drying is on fabrics and after all this work I want to see it last. Also kind of anxious mailing since it can be risky all the way from Texas to New Hampshire anything can happen but have no choice, keep my fingers crossed!!
You can make the suggestion and it’s probably a good idea. My guess is that sadly one of two things will happen. The blanket will be washed and dried with everything else or it will be tucked away as something too good to use and saved for a special occasion. I don’t recall what yarn you used nor do I have a clue how to find previous threads on the project.
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Your finished blanket is lovely.
Is it acrylic?
I’d probably include a ball band and leave it at that.
Your gift will be cherished.
If i gifted a baby blanket I’d rather it was used and loved even if it ended up out of shape and ragged rather than not used. The best blanket is the one the kid ends up dragging around the yard because it brings them such joy and comfort, but ends up getting mended a dozen times with the wrong coloured yarn and big stitches! It could end up showing a life time of experiences on it.
I had a special blanket when i was a kid, i might have been about 6 when i was given it… eventually in my 20s my cat fell in love with it and it became his and it gave him much comfort even in his final days. Truly treasured but very very worn (and i never gave one moments thought as to how it should be washed).
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I absolutely agree! My granddaughter told me an afghan I made as a wedding gift was put away to keep it safe from the cats. I explained that I knew she had cats and if it got messed up, that’s life. I’m not into cherished heirlooms that get passed on a time or two and nobody ever uses them. To me considering the recipient and how the item will be used and abused is more important than my preferences in making it. I have to remind myself that the special occasion may never come so use that lovely item while I can enjoy it.
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It’s 75% cotton and 25% acrylic. Love it since not a lot of fuzzies since for a baby.
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Oh i think it will wash just fine. I don’t think I’ve used a cotton/acrylic mix but everything I’ve made in cotton and everything in acrylic just gets laundered and put out on the line (or on a rack indoors if it’s a wet day). Nothing gets special treatment in our house and everything has been fine. The only laundry disaster i had was cashmere merino silk which i try not to think about. My knits sometimes get dried flat for their first wash, after that it’s every man for himself!
It’s kind of hard when you’ve put so much effort and time into something to give it away and hope it survives. I’m sure it will be fine, and certainly loved.
I often add a large laundry bag to blankets I’ve worked on. Putting the blanket in the bag helps keep it safe from snags. That’s one of the last things you want to happen to such a lovely gift.
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I love cotton/acrylic yarn. I have tops I’ve knit with it. They go in the washer and can go in the dryer though I usually don’t put them in the dryer. Don’t worry about additional care instructions lest you scare the recipient into not using it IMHO. I second including a mesh laundry bag.
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Oh, I get it. You wash the blanket in a mesh bag to protect it. Good idea. Thanks. And you’re right. A new mom is busy enough without worrying about how to wash something and I do want it to be used.
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