#washing alpaca wool clothing

[pastafossa]

Hi Pasta!! I have a question 🙃 What do you think Matt and Jane got each other for Christmas? I cant stop thinking about it. They’re so cute 🥹

BEHOLD. Like 1.1k so rest is behind a see more, but this was in my drafts for what their gifts would be. I didn't have time to get the whole scene done with everything, but I figured this would do!

It didn’t take long for Matt to make use of some of his Christmas gifts, and you found yourself standing by the couch less than an hour later, staring down in amusement at the happy, melted puddle that was Matt Murdock beneath the glow of a Christmas tree.

He’d burrowed down into his new hoodie, his eyes closed and his nose tucked down into the velvet-soft alpaca wool that lined the inside—some of the softest wool you’d been able to find, and something you’d searched long and hard for. Wrapped around the rest of him was a rich, red alpaca wool blanket, thick and warm and equally soft. You had a feeling that, under the blanket, he’d likely also slipped into his new fleece-lined sweats and fleecy socks, ninety-five percent of his body now cradled in soothing, warm comfort. 

“So is that a yes on those?” you said softly, relieved now that it was obvious you’d chosen right when it came to this. It had been… a while, since you’d given anything for Christmas, much less given a gift to someone who meant as much to you as Matt did. Soft had seemed a good road to take, and you’d spent ages hunting for something that he’d be able to wear even when his senses ramped up to the point of pain. “Soft enough?”

A quiet sigh, almost a moan, was his response, followed by a glutted “Mhm,” before he lazily lifted his arms out from under the blanket, opening them to you. You quickly took up the invitation, climbing into his lap and letting him wind his arms around you. You dropped your head against his shoulder, reaching over to run your palm across the velvet-soft fabric covering his chest. His reaction was instant, arching up into your hand as he purred and melted further into the couch at the sensation of the fabric sliding on his skin, his head lolling back when you nuzzled in past the collar of the hoodie so you could press your lips gently to his pulse. Briefly, you passed over the new necklace chain he wore, the little braille pendant reading ‘Always Loved’ hidden somewhere beneath the fabric, its color a match for the key around your neck. That, at least, you knew was a success, but the rest...   

“You really do like the clothes, don’t you?” you asked him, relaxing a little, curling your fingers to scratch a little as you ran them up and down his chest. “I had a good feeling on the necklace, but for these… I wasn’t sure.” “Why not?” he asked sleepily, fumbling one hand up until he could slip it up under the back of your shirt, palming the line of your spine like you were stroking his chest. You weren’t surprised; he always tried to reciprocate, or maybe he just... liked having an excuse to touch you back. “These are probably the softest things I own now. They’re perfect. They feel amazing.”  

“I was worried it was too… I don’t know. Impersonal.” You drummed your fingers a little against his chest, tucking your legs up until you were more comfortable. “But you shouldn’t have to wear things that hurt on your bad days, or at all really, so I-I guess I just—”

“The hoodie smells like you,” he murmured, tipping his head to lay it atop yours. You went quiet, still and unmoving as he continued, “I can tell that you wore it for me a little after washing it, and that it made you happy to do it, because your scent’s different when you’re happy and when you love someone. And every time I move, nothing scratches. Nothing hurts. All of these feel soft and gentle, like how you touch me when I’m bleeding, and when I need you most.” His chest expanded and then dipped on a contented sigh, and then he reached up, brushing his thumb over your cheek, his thumb coming away wet. His voice dropped to something even softer, low and tender. “So much of my life is pain, sweetheart. How could the way you touch me, the way you want to take away some of that pain from me, be impersonal?”   

You wound yourself a little tighter around him, hiding your face against his neck as you let out a shaky breath, and he pulled you in tighter with a soothing noise. You’d been so… so terrified you’d fuck this up, that you’d do this wrong after so many years of dodging it, of being alone, of being forced to avoid anything like a holiday, anything like friends or love. The idea that you’d gotten it right on your first try… 

And you weren’t the only one. 

You leaned away from him just far enough to pick up one of the two photo frames on the coffee table where it had been set atop a massive pile of books you’d wanted to read for years, years in which you’d been forced to pass them by, story by story, cover by cover until Matt hunted down those stories and placed them back into your hands. You laid back against his chest again after you’d brushed your fingers fondly over the books, and instead, you focused once more on the photo inside the elegant black frame. 

Foggy had taken it at Josie’s at some point—a candid of you and Matt crammed into a booth, his arm draped around your shoulders as you leaned into him, a bright grin on his face, your head tipped back as you laughed at something he’d said. The warmth in your eyes and his smile was obvious as you stared fondly up at him beneath the dull glow of the bar, at the very same table Foggy had once worked at to ensure your friendship with Matt was mended. There was no disguising what this was. And… 

“I can’t believe I can put this on my desk now,” you whispered, tracing your fingers over the frame. 

And you didn’t… have to disguise it, did you? There was no need to hide, not anymore. You could have his picture on your desk, could hold his hand as he walked you home, could kiss him when he came to see you at your office or you at his or when you were both out in the rain. And he could do the same with the second picture, one destined for his own desk, all so that he could proudly gesture towards it whenever you came up. 

A… a real life. 

He lifted one arm and you sniffled, crawling back around to wrap your arms around him in return, burying your face against his neck as he held you close. Held you here at home—a home for you both, for your tree, for your books, for an actual life, lived fully and completely and wholly for the first time.

“I love you, so much,” he whispered. "Merry Christmas."

“Love you, too. Merry Christmas.”

There was no bigger gift he could give you.  

[itsalynx]

Fabric for Allodynia

Someone asked me once that if clothes hurt so much, why did I wear them when I didn't need to. Which is when I had to explain that air hurts and clothing, if it doesn't hurt, protects the skin from the painful air. The hard part is getting the right clothes.

Much like with skincare, the clothes that tend to work the best for me are natural fabrics. Much commerically made clothing contains microplastics that, with washes, tend to stiffen and become scratchy. These clothes are also often stitched with thread run with plastics for durability, but they have the same effect. I had a mother whose son is autistic ask me about why her son would wear clothes for a few washes and then suddenly complain that they hurt and I explained it was most likely that his seams were stiffening and can become unbearable. I recommended she oversew his seams with a soft, natural fabric.

I'm going to walk through a few things I have learned that work for me. I will say again that there is a lot of privlege wrapped up in these options in that I can afford these options. If you want to try this but find it outside your budget, I recommend picking one piece at a time, the ones you'll wear the most. That's how I built during the 10 years I had only disability to live on.

Silk

Silk is an amazing fabric for anyone who deals with skin issues but also for those with temperature regulation issues *raises hand*. Silk can be processed in a lot of different ways and those final dispositions touch the skin very differently. Raw silk, for example, is actually very uncomfortable for me because it has a rough finish. If you can go to a fabric store and touch fabrics to get a feel for the differences, do so and take notes.

The process for making silk washable has been expanded which makes it much more reasonable. Silk is a very tough fabric so it holds up well and is worth the investment if you can afford the outlay.

Silk, like most plant products, has no flexibility unless blended (and I try to avoid non-natural blends) so always pay attention to size and cut. I tend towards looser silk clothes because of this.

There are legitimate environmental concerns with silk (because the process kills the silkworms and the processing of the fiber can cause waste that is problematic if not properly managed). But because it lasts so long, I try to be as conscious as I can about purchasing and wearing things for their full life. And it makes my skin less angry.

Bamboo

This is my go-to fabric for most things. My pajamas are bamboo (mostly from Sandmaiden Sleepwear) and my yoga wear is bamboo (Freak LeChic). Bamboo breathes, it's soft, it washes well. I can wear it directly against my skin because it holds well. It can be dyed any color so you get range.

Plant fibers don't have memory, so they grow with wear, which is fine but good to be aware of. Bamboo does have stretch because of the process required to make bamboo wearable. And that process is where we run into the issue with bamboo. Again...it's environmental.

As a plant, bamboo is amazing - it grows all over the place and it grows fast with minimal work. But the fiber is stiff - think jute. The chemical process that makes it soft and flowing produces about 50% pure waste, which goes into the environment. This is the viscous process and applied to most bamboo fabric.

There are versions of processing that are harm neutral, but less common and more expensive. Keep an eye out.

Wool and Alpaca

Most people think wool and think scratchy but merino wool is incredibly soft. It has memory and stretch, it can be washed (if treated - we call it superwash in the fiber world), and dyed with natural or chemical dyes. It also breathes beautifully, which can make it an all weather fiber depending on how heavy the garment is. It's renewable for the entire life of the animal and the shearing process doesn't harm the sheepies - in fact, sheep that are not shorn regularly are under enormous strain. Wool has been the go-to fiber for clothing and textiles a very, very long time and there's a reason.

Alpaca is also an animal fiber, from the very soft and very pleasant alpaca. It doesn't have the same memory as wool, but it has more than plant fibers. It's heavenly and very warm. Like wool, it's renewable the lifetime of the animal and alpacas can live happy herd lives in areas untenable for sheep, like the deserts of Arizona.

I have recently found joy in compression socks when my feet and legs are hurting or for travel where the pressure plays havoc with my legs. The one from Pacas have been really great and held up well with washing and wear.

A Few More Shoutouts

Tencel (Lyocell) - this is actually a really cool fabric. Lyocell is a process, Tencel is a brand (there are others). The proces makes plant fibers soft, like viscouse, but without the waste and the really bad product. I'm trying to replace some of the above with those as I find them.

Cotton - I love cotton when it's good cotton. Soft and light and lordy can it stand up. The biggest challenge is that if you can't lay hands on it, it's hard to know what you're getting until you get it because there are so many qualities and weaves and cuts of cotton. 100% cotton should be soft to the touch and durable. Cotton can be water hungry so look for offsets and sustainable practices called out. I like the cotton items from pact and can speak highly of the tenacity of their t-shirts.

[outofangband]

from @welcomingdisaster's amazing list of world building prompts here

My world building Masterlist

“Weaving or fiber crafts”

(I got the prompts people sent for the list, I’m getting to those too! I’m also still accepting them!)

I hope this is an ok use of the prompt, it’s not a fic, just some general headcanons/world building

Cloth production in Ladros (with some discussion of how it changed post Bragollach)

The Bëorians keep goats, sheep, alpacas and rabbits for wool and it is from these that a majority of their clothing production comes from. The landscape and environment of Dorthonion made fiber crop production on a large scale difficult.

Mostly through trade, flax based fabrics are also sometimes available, usually used for lighter clothing which can be more difficult to make with woolen materials

Ceremonial and noble cloaks are sometimes made partly with linens and then painted with sigils or designs.

Leather is also used from goat and alpaca. This is especially used in shoes, bags and satchels, and belts.

Nearly everyone partakes in some aspects of clothing production, regardless of gender or status though there are certainly parts that tend to be more gendered.

Children are often tasked with aiding in sheering and preparing wool before its washed and spun into yarn. Yarn is then dyed and woven or knitted into clothes and blankets and other materials

People who can create lighter weight materials or smoother textures are especially valued as are those who can incorporate designs and patterns into their ware.

Most people wear stockings throughout the year except for the summer. Children tend to wear dress like frocks until the age of twelve to fourteen.

Men and women tend to wear tunics/ blouses and breeches or skirts with dresses worn for some formal events.

Different styles and patterns of embroidery are used for different parts of clothing. There are special patterns that are used for children’s clothing. This tradition is one of the few Bëorian fiber arts that survived the Bragollach

Shoes are often made from leather with lining of down or wool. The nicer ones tend to have elaborate embroidery patterns.

Color is very important in ceremonial clothing and dyeing is a significant trade among the Bëorians

Red madder root, woad, dyer’s croton, common marigold, dayflower, yellow chamomile and black mulberry are among some plants valued for dyes. Earthen and stone pigments are also used.

Red madder dyes are of particular significance to the Bëorians. The deep red color is used to dye sashes and headwear that is traditionally worn during formal occasions.

As the climate of Hithlum is different from Ladros, red madder could no longer be used after the Bragollach among Bëorian refugees. The deep red it yields is also considerably less common among Hadorian clothing and customs.

Many Bëorians in Hithlum had to relearn trades they had been doing their entire lives because of the differences in materials, processes and customs. As most had come with nothing, their clothing and possessions having been destroyed during the sudden flame, this was extremely disheartening and yet another aspect of the devastating losses of culture and customs

(I'll go more into patterns when I do my sigils and symbols post for the humans!)

[lesless]

Systems Rambling

I approach things systematically, so I pick a "category" of life to improve in a given time; usually between 6 month & a year/two, so I can give things a try for a stretch to see what I will actually use/like. Around 2020 I was going through skin care and scents, (category "getting ready") & landed on a deodorant, face wash, exfoliates, lotion, sunscreen, perfume, & eyelash serum I really love. It took me longer than most categories bc I use the whole product in a sub-category before repurchasing or trying something new--if something is right, I'll get anxious that I'm running low. That's how I know I have a winner.

Before that, it was bikes. I started using a cruiser I had been gifted a few years before, realized it wasn't what I needed, bought a cheap road bike, used the chain off it (literally) & sprung for a nice bicycle in the same style. I searched Craigslist for months looking for the brand (Fuji) & size (xs) I liked/needed, in my price range, purchased it, & have adored that bike like a noble steed ever since. I am installing a rear rack on it today so I can start riding it to work, 6 years later I am pleased when I see it or use it.

Over the last few years I have been scrutinizing clothing. Growing up I had uniforms, then I was too broke to play with my style until ~25. Moving to a new environment & getting a new job necessitated a re-evaluation of what will keep me warm, comfortable, & professional/tidy in a way I like. I realized I don't like synthetic clothes, at all, on instinct. I'll reliably wear high-cotton-content clothes, wool, alpaca, linen, leather, & I have been very satisfied with silk in passing but haven't owned any yet (expensive). I'll happily wear synthetic exercise clothes until the literal minute I am done moving. Next I started trying to go outside my comfort zone, wearing different cuts & colors than I had before. I found I need fitted tops or tailored waists on dresses & don't care to wear pastels. I'll wear white, tan, red, maroon, grey, black, dark greens, & less so, light greens & burnt orange. I'll wear fun patterns on pants/skirts or shoes, but never pattered tops, unless they are stripes or lines, & even then then, I rarely reach for those. I like a lightweight shoe. I like silver details. I like to layer with tanks & jumpers when I'm cold, I like mittens over gloves, I like handkerchiefs, I like two-piece bathing suits. After all this attention, trial/error, I have settled into an ability to reliably purchase things I'll actually love to use! I think my closet is a testament to that.

[chaletnz]

Arequipa: City Walking Tour

I’d slept pretty well all things considered with changing bus in the middle of the night and we were whisked off the bus and dropped off at around 5am to our hotels. The receptionist said it would cost an additional 15% to check in early, and 4% for the card payment fee but for $43 in total for 2 nights this was the nicest place I had stayed so far on the trip! I took a shower to refresh and then put in my laundry at last, hoping like mad that they would actually wash it for me, and then headed out around 7am for a walk around the city. It was very quiet with everything still closed, but I could see the Plaza de Armas without any people there which was awesome! It was Sunday too (Mother’s Day to be exact) which meant a lot of the places I had starred on my map to visit for a good coffee were closed today and the only one open was Pukupuku. I was satisfied with my flat white and enjoyed it on their rooftop listening to the magical city sounds of blaring music, and blaring sirens. Breakfast was now required since my plans would lead to a walking tour in a few hours so after my coffee I stopped in at EcoBrunch for a yoghurt bowl topped with fruit, seeds and granola and hoped my stomach wouldn’t have any problems. At 10am I joined the walking tour with about 15 others and our guide whose name I didn’t quite catch – Javier or Edgar? He passed around some samples of 70% cocoa chocolate and then led us to our first stop at Alpaca Mundo to see some alpacas, feel the wool fibres, and see how the garments are made. On the way he explained that Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru at 2,325m above sea level. It is known as the White City because of the Spanish who colonised the city and the buildings actually being white in colour since they are made from volcanic rock. The last eruption of the volcano was over 5000 years ago but the last earthquake was only in 2001 and the next one shouldn’t be far away… At Alpaca Mundo Edgar showed us the garments that were for sale made of vicuña hair – a scarf for 6,000 soles, a sweater for 8,000 soles, and a shawl for 18,000 soles. The vicuña is the rarest camelid and is native to Peru, it has the finest and softest hair in the world for clothing. They are also a protected animal by Peruvian government and if you cause one to die such as hunting or hitting it with a car, you will go to jail for 5 years. We walked through the city streets which are totally different from those in the likes of Cusco where the Incas lived. Arequipa didn’t have Inca inhabitants and was solely occupied by the Spanish so the buildings have a very European feel. We came across a small market and Edgar recommended that we go to the Central Market and try the special juice – it’s made with fruit like normal, but also includes beer, milk, honey, egg and Viagra for the ultimate health boost apparently! Edgar then took us to Templo la Compañia de Jesús where he described a lot of the façade sculpture to us and then we headed inside to see the church. There was a last supper painting inside where the disciples were enjoying their roasted guinea pig as this was a sacred animal, they also sat at round tables instead of a long rectangular one to be closer to one another. Our last stop was Plaza de Armas where Edgar shared the detail that all cities in Latin America have a main square that is the same, one side has the city hall, the other side has a church or cathedral and there is a fountain in the middle. I thought back to all the main squares I had visited through Nicaragua, Guatemala, Cusco and they all fit this description! The only ones that don’t follow the pattern are in Venezuela and Brazil so I’ll be on the lookout for them when I eventually visit those countries. Edgar quizzed us on which bell tower had fallen down repeatedly over the years (the left) and then took us up to a bar with a viewpoint. We were allowed to pass through a little gate and walk out on to the roof for views of the city.

[sassypotatoe1]

If you use a gas or ventilation system heater put a bowl of water before the vents/flame. If your air dries out, though it might look like you would want that, your nasal canals dry out. If they dry out they crack and you're like 5 times more likely to catch a cold. If there is a ton of moisture in your house this isn't necessary, but get a cheap greenhouse humidity monitor and watch that shit.

If you make wood or coal fires, bar checking the chimney, properly clean out all the ash between fires, and have proper ventilation in the room the fire is in. Carbon monoxide kills, do not let it catch you unawares. You need a proper and strong flow of air going through the room. There's a myth that carbon monoxide is heavier than air. This is not true, it disperses evenly throughout the air most of the time. If you can get a carbon monoxide sensor installed, do it.

Vacuum seal windows and draw blinds and curtains at night. There are kits for this I believe, it doesn't get too cold where I live so we don't have them, but I believe it's like heavy duty cling film sheets that you tape down around the window frame, then you vacuum out the air. Vacuums are fantastic insulators, and if you can create them around your house by sealing the windows? Great.

Use the sun! If you have south-facing windows in the northern hemisphere or north-facing windows in the southern hemisphere those puppies are completely uncovered during daylight. No blinds, no curtains, not even sheer curtains. Get as much heat from the sun into your home during the day as you can.

Hot water bottles are good, but if they puncture or burst you're now not only burned by the hot water, you're also wet and rapidly cooling. At worst, get a moisture absorbing cover, at best switch to bean bags or if you can afford it ceramic bead heat pads. You can heat them in a coal or wood stove, or in a microwave if you don't have blackouts. If you're shivering, focus it on your core. Stomach, chest, pits, back, neck, crotch. If you're not shivering but your extremities are cold, put them on your hands and feet.

If you have to walk somewhere or bike somewhere in the cold, get sheepskin boots and jacket, waterproof that shit. It's gotta be wool pointing in suede pointing out. You can waterproof it yourself by rubbing beeswax all over it, especially in the seams, and using a hairdryer or heat gun to melt the wax in. You will have to redo the wax. If you're vegan, though I will disagree with you on the ethics and sustainability of using pleather over real animal skin, pleather outer is fine, waterproof on its own even, but just seal the seams. Be quadruple sure that the synthetic fur or fleece is hollow fiber.

Sheep fleece doesn't have to be attached to the skin to be effective, it can be sheered off the sheep which does not harm the sheep and actually benefits them. Same goes for any fleece. The warmest is alpaca, sheep is pretty high up there, while cotton, linen or bamboo fleece is not an animal by-product but much less effective at retaining heat. Felted fleece is more dense and therefore more effective at retaining heat, but it is heavier, uses more of the fiber and often scratchier. Natural. Fibers. Shrink. If you knit or felt or weave your own stuff you probably already know this, but just in case you don't wash natural fibers in cold water, and air dry. You can iron them without issue but don't tumble-dry them.

The reason I know these things despite living in a warmer climate is because one, I have a shit heart so my circulation is shit and with it my internal heating system, and two, I'm poor as shit and can't afford an electric or gas heater. I had a gas heater my parents loaned me when I was away at varsity, but my landlord threw a fit about the fire hazard so I had to figure out how to stay warm using my clothes, heat pads and blankets.

COLD WEATHER TIPS FROM SOMEONE WHO LIVES WHERE IT’S COLD:

I always see posts about layering clothing, but there are so many more creative ways to help keep you warm if you don’t have a lot of warm clothes. But first, a note on layering clothing:

-Your underlayer is your WICKING layer. That means it is a layer specifically to absorb the moisture your body produces. DO NOT USE COTTON AS A BOTTOM LAYER. Use merino wool if possible, but other good substitutions are nylon, polyester and rayon. 

-Your middle layer is for insulation. You want AIR POCKETS in there, NOT tight fitting clothes. This is where you want to put your fluffy sweaters, your fleece, down, fur, flannel, or vests. If you do not have these, you can substitute with multiple layers of long sleeve shirts.

-Your outer layer is for keeping the cold away from your body. If you do not have a jacket, you can put on your thickest piece of clothing and then a raincoat over it. Windbreaker if you have one. 

ALSO

-Jeans are the absolute worst at holding heat. Use only as a last resort. 

-You can’t really ever have too many layers on your feet. Alternate tucking your layers of pants into your layers of socks to keep your ankles warm!

-Wear a hat OVER a hood if it will fit! This will keep your ears warmest.

TAKE OFF/OUT ANY AND ALL JEWELERY/PIERCINGS

-If you have a medical bracelet, DO NOT REMOVE IT. If you can, tuck a layer of clothes between it and your skin.

NON-CLOTHING TIPS:

-Raid your recycling. Gather all cardboard boxes and break them down so that they are flat. Put them on the floor to add more layers between you and the cooling house. Newspaper will also serve the same purpose.

-In an emergency, you can also layer newspaper between clothing layers. Don’t worry about looking stupid if you’re staying warm.

-If you have a tent, set that sucker up in whatever room you have decided to stay in. Stay in it and keep it zipped shut as much as you can, but do NOT cover the vent at the top. You can put the rain fly up, but make sure there is circulating air for you to breathe.

-You are probably not going to feel very hungry at times. DO NOT STOP EATING OR DRINKING. Digestion produces a lot of body heat and the food will give your body energy to keep itself going.

-The best foods are heavy and full of carbs and proteins. Eat nuts, eggs, pasta, meats, and beans. If you are on a diet, now you’re not. If you’re vegetarian… bulk up on those pastas and nuts.

-Try not to sweat. If you are finding yourself getting damp, take off the outer layer just until you start to cool slightly. Then redress! Your bottom layer should dry quickly, and being wet is dangerous.

-On that note, STAY ACTIVE. You are probably going to want to hunker down and snuggle up, but that will make your muscles cramp. Every 15-20 minutes do something that gets you up and about. Walk circles in the room, do a couple jumping jacks, stretch, whatever. Just enough to move some blood around your body. Don’t get sweaty or out of breath, it’s just a little movement.

-CHAPSTICK. ON YOUR LIPS. ON YOUR NOSE. ON YOUR EARS. ON YOUR KNUCKLES. Don’t let your extremities get dry or cracked.

SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA:

-Uncontrollable shivering -Slurred speech -Confusion or memory loss -Dizziness or lack of coordination -Inability to be woken from sleep

CHILDREN AND INFANTS!!!! I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.

-Children WILL get colder before you. Make sure they are properly bundled up.

-If you need to breastfeed, put a blanket over the both of you and wait a few minutes for the air to warm before removing or shifting your clothing.

-DO NOT COVER AN INFANTS FACE. ESPECIALLY WHEN SLEEPING. Keep them tucked inside your own clothes when possible. As close to your heart and stomach as possible. 

-Put chapstick on children’s cheeks and clean their face often if they are crying or wiping at their nose. This will prevent cracked skin and irritation.

-Make sure your children are staying as hydrated as you! They are going to fuss and not want to drink cold things, but they NEED liquids.

SIGNS OF HYPOTHERMIA IN INFANTS AND TODDLERS ARE DIFFERENT:

-Shortness of breath  -Cold, red skin -Lethargy or listlessness

Finally:

CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBORS. CHECK ON CHILDREN. CHECK ON THE ELDERLY. STAY SNUGGLED. STAY SAFE.

[battywitch]

I think I would've tried making more clothing items (knit and crochet) sooner if I could figure out how the fuck you clean them.

Something small, like my current wip or a hat, seems fine to go in the washing machine on delicate maybe, and isn't a big deal to hand wash. (If it can be washed in water.)

But how in the actual hell do you clean a crochet queen sized (for example) blanket, or a knit coat???

I realize the material is important. My current project is cotton, though. I might try to get some, like, lighter weight merino or alpaca or something soon and try making a pair of slippers or a sweater vest or... something, idk. I might be allergic to wool but I'm not certain. I wish we had thrift stores nearby so I could try to find sweaters to unravel, but alas.

Anyway. I have no idea how to clean larger pieces, even something like a shawl or skirt.

[peru-perusals]

Day 8 - Part 1 - Textiles Demo

Photo by Holly

On Wednesday morning, we packed up our daypacks with clothes for three days and checked the rest with the front desk.

After breakfast, we loaded into the van to head out from Cuzco, through Ollantaytambo, deeper into the sacred valley!

We drove up through the mountains to a little community called Patacancha where we were welcomed by a group of women with neon orange skirts!

They introduced themselves one by one with how greatful they were to Apus Peru (our tour company) and their number of kids, ending with their name.

We introduced ourselves by name and expressed our gratitude for their hospitality.

They gave us teas and other drinks. I made a hot chocolate with mint leaves!

We walked over to a small building where they had set up a textile demonstration.

First, they showed how to shear the alpaca fur with a broken piece of glass. They did note, however, that if they were shearing a live alpaca, they’d use scissors to avoid having a sharp blade near the animal’s skin.

Second, they washed the fur using a soap plant. They rinsed it in the sink.

Third, they showed us how to spin it into yarn. The yarn was tied onto a top and spun to thoroughly twist the yarn. The twisted yarn was then rolled around the spool. The yarn was tied to the top of the top and the process was repeated. We all got to give it a shot. I wasn’t very good at it, but Austyn was a natural, and the women wanted her to stay there in the village.

Fourth, they demonstrated how they dyed the yarn using natural dyes, but also discussed using brighter artificial dyes.

Finally, they demonstrated how they weave patterns into a scarf or a tablecloth. They looped yarn across two sticks held in place with stakes pounded into the ground, then they used multiple tools to separate the strands into a top and bottom so they could thread another spool through it.

Photo by Holly

Austyn got to hold one of the little kids while we watched the demo, much to her enjoyment!

Photo by Alyssa

They opened up bags of all of their wares and we all sifted through colorful handmade wool and alpaca items. I bought a colorful wool scarf handmade by a woman named Mercedes!

Photo by Holly

Afterwards, they surprised us with a meal of a fried meat and potatoes, which was delicious. Even their tablecloth was colorful!

We said our goodbyes and headed back to the van.

Photo by Holly

[sweatersproducer]

100 cashmere sweater price,knitwear producer

S2M Knitwear Maker https://sweater-manufacturer.com producersweater@gmail.com

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[customknitfactory]

knit customization upon request,sueter en bespoke

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email: customknitfactory@gmail.com

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[lazyllamaecowear]

Website : https://www.llalpacawear.com/

Address : Salt Lake City, Utah

Lazy Llama Eco Wear offers sustainable, eco-friendly fashion through natural and recycled fibers.

Alpaca fiber contains natural hollow cellular structure, creating a superior lightweight insulation, resulting in a warm breathable airflow keeping you at a comfortable temperature all year round.

Our Process:

We purchase Fair Trade fiber from families in Peru.

We create, design and manufacture locally in Salt Lake City, Utah.

A percentage of your purchase goes to help buy an alpaca for a family in need. This helps provide an income for the family and sustainability of the alpaca.

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/lazyllama.ecowear/

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[hygieneforall22]

basic things to Consider While Washing Baby Clothes

A newborn’s skin is highly sensitive and prone to irritants and chemical exposure after nine months of being shielded in the womb. The best way to safeguard your newborn and avoid these skin problems is to:

Strictly adhere to the fabrics you buy for your child.

Clothing, blankets, bedding, and toys that will come into contact with the baby’s skin should all be washed. Just make sure you pick a natural detergent that is non-toxic.

All fabrics contain different quantities of chemicals, while the quantity of chemicals emitted from most fabrics is small and could not represent a substantial risk to the health of the adult average. However, because of their sensitive skin, babies are smaller, more susceptible to chemicals, and significantly more susceptible to skin irritation, rashes, and other harmful consequences than adults.

FABRICS TO USE AND AVOID FOR YOUR INFANTS

Avoid synthetic fabrics such as polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon, and other things that claim to be non-polluting, free of flammable, free of wrinkles or static. The greatest amounts of hazardous substances have been treated for these items. These compounds are frequently found in the fabric fibers and cannot be washed out and cannot be washed away, thus they should be avoided, in particular for children.

Cotton, wool, silk, hemp, alpaca, angora, mohair, and flax are all-natural fibers that are far purer than man-made textiles. Unfortunately, chemicals are still included in these. It is critical to prewash these fabrics with crown liquid laundry blue if they will be used around newborns and small children. Although pre-washing can remove some superficial treatments, it does not necessarily detoxify the textile from the chemicals used during production.

Items such as crown liquid laundry blue, manufactured with certified organic cotton, wool, cashmere, hemp, and linen are the safest alternatives for infants. Ideally, no colors are used, or only natural dyes are used as a second choice. These materials will ensure that your child is exposed to as few chemicals as possible. Pre-washing the baby’s clothes with Comfort Concentrated Fabric Softener is still necessary because the products may have come into contact with everything from bacteria to pesticides throughout their journey, especially if they were manufactured overseas.

read more: https://hygieneforall.com/things-to-consider-while-washing-baby-clothes/

[josephfabish]

How Andean Weavers Spin Wool

Joseph H. Fabish spoke frequently on the textile traditions of the Peruvian Andes. Joseph H. Fabish’s areas of interest included techniques of spinning and weaving that created highly functional, decorative fabrics.

For traditional Andean craftspeople, no tools were used to prepare wool that typically came from alpaca or sheep. The initial step, teasing the wool, involved opening the wool and removing debris. This was accomplished by holding a lock with both hands and pulling it apart through rapid side-to-side movements. At the end of this process, the wool was fluffed and without dense regions, making it appear cloud-like.

For spinning, weavers used a lightweight spindle known as a pushka, which combines a straight hand-carved stick and a turned balsa whorl (small wheel). Possessing no hook, notch, or groove, the Andean spindle featured half-hitches that secure yarn to shaft. The design was intentionally portable, as herders were often on the move to pastures. Instead of a spindle stand for the thread, the ground was used as a base and the yarn wound around a pebble.

One of the most common ways of organizing the thread for washing or dying, such that yarn could be plied straight without tangling, was a figure eight skein. This involves winding the thread between two arms. Once these steps had been completed, the wool was ready to be weaved into blankets, clothes, and pieces to hang.

[sunchyld]

Hi!

So when I crochet I usually think about 3 things: Price, maintenance, and audience.

More under the cut cause this response was longer than I thought it would be

Acrylic yarn is normally cheaper and you normally get more for what you spend, down side is that it is basically plastic- depending on what blends you get. Wool/cotton/natural fibers can be expensive and sometimes limited in color varieties and you often get less. You get what you pay for in terms of quality. Natural fibers can be softer but there are also a ton of acrylic yarns that feel nearly like silk.

Second is maintenance. What kind of care does each material require. Natural fibers can take much more effort to maintain. Specific cleaning instructions, extra long dry times, risk of degradation of the fiber. Where as my experience with acrylic is that it’s just a little sturdier. While I don’t recommend machine washing any handmade crochet/knit piece, I’ve not had much trouble with acrylic, where as a wool blanket I crocheted for my sister was destroyed because it went through the dryer.

Last is audience which ties into maintenance in a lot of ways. I make a lot of baby clothes/blankets and most acrylic yarn is softer and more hypoallergenic since people can have allergies to some natural fibers. Not only that but like I said, acrylic can handle a wash that something like wool or mink cannot. So I’m not going to give a new parent a blanket they can’t wash easily. Though vice versa I also make a lot of dishcloths and pot holders and there is nothing better than cotton or wool for that because both fibers are heat resistant and cotton washes really well. Acrylic would melt at high temperatures and from my experience it doesn’t feel very good wet. So I guess my final answer is that it depends on the project and whose going to use it. Though I personally love working with alpaca wool and cotton finger weight. They feel great as you work with them.

Crochet question

There is SO much acrylic yarn available...why do people normally choose this yarn over the others? Personally I prefer working with cotton! I know wool can shrink quite badly when washed... I feel like cotton may be just a little more eco friendly too when it comes to projects decomposing with age? I could be wrong though! What yarns do you like to use and why??

[jessilixx]

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[wastelesscrafts]

Yarn types

Introduction:

If you're new to fibre crafts, you may find the enormous choice in yarn types overwhelming. Let's try to demystify some of the more common yarn types and fibres so you know where to get started!

This guide does not encompass all types of yarns, just some of the more common ones. Also note that I'm a knitter and not a crocheter, so this guide is written from a knitting perspective.

If you're more interested in sewing rather than knitting/crochet, please check out my fabric guide.

Yarn weights:

Yarns have varying thickness: this is called yarn weight. The weight of your yarn will influence your knitting gauge, so it's important to pick the right weight for the right project. Each yarn weight requires a different needle size, too: the thinner your yarn, the thinner your needles.

Yarn weights can go by different names, but these are some of the most common ones:

Lace: lace yarn is one of the thinnest yarns out there. It's commonly used for delicate projects such as intricate summer scarves or doilies, or to knit lace trims.

Fingering: fingering yarn is a bit thicker than lace yarn, but still very thin. This yarn weight is used for light-weight projects such as baby garments, delicate socks, or thin garments.

Sport: sport yarn is twice as thick a fingering yarn and is often used for socks, accessories, shawls, and thin sweaters.

DK: DK is slightly thicker than sport yarn and is used for the same purposes.

Worsted: worsted yarn is one of the most common yarn types you'll find. It's a mid-range yarn weight that's great for a wide variety of projects, ranging from clothes to scarves, accessories, sweaters, and amigurumi.

Chunky: chunky yarn is thick and bulky, which makes it great for quick, thick projects such as blankets and rugs, or bulky scarves and sweaters.

(Image source) [ID: six yarn weights: lace, fingering, sport, DK, worsted, and chunky.]

(Image source) [ID: standard yarn weight system: categories of yarn, gauge ranges, and recommended needle and hook sizes.]

Yarn fibres:

Just like fabric, yarn can be made from a variety of fibres, among which animal fibres, plant fibres, and synthetic fibres.

You'll also find blended yarns, which combine different types of fibres into one yarn, and novelty yarns, which are usually synthetic and used to create special effects such as fake fur or a metallic sheen, for example.

Let's take a look at some of the most commonly used fibres:

Animal fibres:

Animal fibres are made from the fleece/hair of certain animals. These fibres are long-lasting and will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. When done properly and in an ethical manner, harvesting the fibres needed to make these yarns will not hurt the animal (with the exception of silk, unless you use peace silk).

Wool is prone to shrinking and felting if not washed correctly.

Sheep: the most common woollen yarn type, and therefore also the cheapest. Very soft and absorbent, great for winter. Some people find it itchy, and it can trigger allergic reactions.

Alpaca: very warm, and softer than sheep wool. Hypoallergenic, so a great choice if you're allergic to sheep's wool.

Cashmere: warm, soft, smooth, and much lighter than sheep's wool.

Mohair: light, warm, very fluffy. Has a nice sheen to it. Can be tricky to knit due to its fluffiness.

Angora: light, soft, fuzzy, and incredibly warm.

Silk: smooth, breathable, strong, soft, and shiny. Unlike the other fibres on this list, silk is not made from hair or fleece, but from the cocoons of silk worms.

Plant fibres:

Plant fibres are made from cellulose, a plant component. They're known to breath well which makes them great for knitting clothes, but often lack elasticity.

Cotton: light, absorbent, and durable, though not very elastic. Great for beginners. Can become a little rough after washing, so make sure to take proper care of it.

Linen: strong and durable, but can be a bit stiff. Very breathable. Will keep you cool in summer. Prone to wrinkling.

Bamboo: drapes well, and is very soft! If other plant fibres cause sensory issues for you, give bamboo a try.

Synthetic fibres:

Synthetic fibres are oil-based fibres which means they won't biodegrade and don't breathe well. However, they're cheap and durable, which makes them handy for beginner's projects.

Acrylic: doesn't breathe well, but is warm, machine-washable, and probably the cheapest available yarn option. Comes in varying qualities, ranging from horribly itchy to "I can't believe this is acrylic".

Rayon: a semi-synthetic fibre, as it's made from plant cellulose but then turned into insoluble fibres. Very soft, but needs extra care when washed.

Nylon: very strong and stretchy, which is why it's often mixed into sock yarn blends and such.

Polyester: a type of plastic fibre that's often blended in with other yarns to make them stronger and less likely to shrink.

Conclusion:

There are many options available when you're looking for the perfect yarn for your next project. Getting acquainted with different types of yarn will ensure you pick the right material for whatever you're making.

If you've got a specific yarn in mind but want more info before you buy it, or if you've found a mystery skein that's gone out of production years ago while thrifting, get yourself a Ravelry account. You'll find reviews of pretty much any yarn brand you can imagine in their yarn section.

New to knitting? Check out my Knitting 101 guide.

Looking for cheap and preferably sustainable yarn? Check out my guide on crafting on the cheap.