Here at SweetGeorgia Yarns, we sometimes get asked why our labels say to handwash before use. It isn’t because the yarn is dirty, it’s all about the water; specifically, the unique glacial water used in SweetGeorgia’s dyeing process, which has a perfectly neutral pH. Since water sources vary around the world, pre-washing hand-dyed yarn lets you test how your local water and detergent interact with SweetGeorgia yarns, preventing any unexpected dye from bleeding. This is important, especially before knitting or crocheting any colourwork items where the dye can stain the surrounding yarns in your project. Giving your yarn a quick soak in some detergent is all that is needed to safeguard all the hours you are about to spend on your project.
Before you begin soaking, open the skein up and secured the yarn with handy ties to easily retrieve it later. Fill a basin with lukewarm to cool water and add a gentle detergent like Soak. Make sure the detergent is mixed thoroughly into the water. A quick dip in the soapy water followed by a gentle squeeze will reveal if any dye is misbehaving. Because of the water and detergent’s pH, a small amount of dye may appear which is normal. A second wash should appear clear. But if you spot large amounts of dye, just reach out to SweetGeorgia Yarns, we are always here to help. If your water is clear, the yarn is colourfast meaning you’re good to go, ready to knit or crochet without any fear of colour disasters.
Materials and Tools Shown
More about Charlotte
- Charlotte Instagram
- Charlotte’s patterns at SweetGeorgia Yarns
- Explore Charlotte’s courses at the School of SweetGeorgia
- Browse Charlotte’s articles to discover new techniques, refine your skills, and spark creativity
Do you have questions about the benefits of pre-washing hand-dyed yarn?
Join our community!
- At the School of SweetGeorgia, we’ve built a vibrant and welcoming community of fibre-loving makers, passionate instructors, and dedicated staff. Whether you’re looking for guidance on a new technique or just need a little creative encouragement, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
- Not yet a member of the School? We invite you to come and see what it is all about! Use the code: EXPLORETHESCHOOL to save 15% on an All-Access monthly membership!
- We welcome you to join us in our SweetGeorgia Community. This is where we share projects that inspire, have fibre-filled conversations, host make-alongs, and participate in a variety of virtual meetings! We discuss all things knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving, machine knitting, and more!
- Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe to our newsletter! It’s a simple way to stay updated on what’s new at SweetGeorgia and the School of SweetGeorgia, catch up on the latest articles, watch new SweetGeorgia YouTube videos, and be a part of our community without any pressure to post. We value your presence, no matter how you choose to connect with us!
Original publication: July 25, 2023. Refreshed: July 07, 2024
