Care guide for handmade pieces

This guide gathers short rules that keep handmade pieces looking good for years, by topic: washing, drying, storing, removing pills and gift wrapping. Tick what you have done, and your browser keeps your ticks for your next visit.

Washing

Hand wash knitted and crocheted pieces in cold water with a little wool wash or any mild soap Scarves & knits
Soak the piece for ten minutes, then move it gently in the water; do not rub it, or the wool may felt Soft wool scarf
Wash coloured pieces on their own the first time
Small cotton pieces, such as coasters, can go in the machine at 30° in a laundry bag Set of 4 crochet coasters
Rinse the piece in cold water until all the soap is gone

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Drying

Do not wring the piece: roll it in a towel and press to soak up the water
Lay it flat on a dry towel and ease it back to its shape and size while damp Crochet baby blanket
Dry it in the shade, out of direct sun, so its colour does not fade
Keep knits out of the tumble dryer; the heat shrinks them Scarves & knits
If it needs pressing, use a light steam from a distance without the iron touching the piece

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Storing

Fold cardigans and scarves rather than hanging them; hanging stretches shoulders and ends Light cardigan
Store them in a cloth bag or a box that lets air through, not in a closed plastic bag
Put lavender sachets or cedar blocks between wool pieces to keep moths away
Crochet baskets keep blankets and balls of yarn tidy on a shelf Crochet storage basket
Keep bags and white pieces away from sun and damp Crochet bags

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Removing pills

Small pills on wool are normal with wear Merino wool yarn
Remove them with a wool comb or a de-piller while the piece is dry, with light strokes
Snip larger pills with small scissors without pulling the yarn Tool box (scissors, markers, tape measure)
If a strand pulls out, do not cut it: work it back inside with a yarn needle Yarn & tools
Wash the piece inside out so fewer pills form in later washes

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Gift wrapping

Say in the order note that it is a gift, with the words for the greeting card
We wrap the piece in soft paper with a cotton ribbon, and leave the invoice out of the box
Put the care card in with the gift so its owner knows how to wash it
The baby blanket and the knitted booties make a lovely gift to welcome a newborn Babies & children
The beginner crochet kit is a gift for anyone who wants to learn Beginner crochet kit

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This guide is general and suits most cotton and wool pieces; each piece’s page says how to care for it. If you are not sure, send us a photo of your piece on WhatsApp.