Wash Before Giving?

Remove any doubts that the item is thoroughly clean and fresh, while making your item look first-class.
by Jackie E-S

QUESTION from Stephanie —

Should I handwash socks before giving to the recipient?

ANSWER —

I always wash before giving, for socks or any other wearables. This removes any doubts that the item is thoroughly clean and fresh – even though you and I are clean people, there still can be hand oils/sweat that transfer to the yarn while we knit. Washing before giving also is a final test that the care instructions I include on a tag with the gift will work as planned for the recipient.

The act of wetting in the washing process helps the stitches settle in as uniformly as possible. Sometimes the yarns will soften and "full" a bit to futhermore making a better-wearing fabric for socks. And even a light hand blocking (or drying on sock blockers if you have them) helps the item look first-class.

You don't necessarily have to handwash, though. Many of the popular sock yarns are superwash and can be machine washed.

Happy sock knitting and gift giving!

Related resource article: Washing Socks: Hand washing method for deep cleaning delicate yarn

Do you have a Question about knitting technique or skill? Please email me and I will consider it for an upcoming Q&A.

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