I just finished a baby blanket woven from 8/2 cotton.  I've made several and they've all turned out nicely, but this one turned out scratchy after washing.  I know if it's a tighter twist, it will be less soft, but this doesn't feel soft at all.  Do you think if I wash it several more times (maybe on hot instead of warm) it will be better?  Luckily I have time to buy more yarn and weave another one, but I was hoping to try to weavew a baby wearing wrap as an additional gift to my niece.  If I have to weave another blanket, I don't know if I'll have time to weave the wrap too.

Comments

Tue, 10/29/2013 - 01:49

Claudia Segal (not verified)

Tina, which brand of 8/2 did you use? I have found the UKI to soften up nicely in hot water. I suggest trying hot water and some Oxy Cleaan if you have hard water. I also find using a good soap , preferable organic, helps soften the cotton, too. AAs for the baby wrap, I found it takes almoost as long to warp the loom as it does to weave it. I am currently putting on a 20 yard warp for 4 baby wraps. Keep us posted. Claudia
Tue, 10/29/2013 - 23:35

TinaHilton (not verified)

Unfortunately there's no brand name on the yarn. I did buy it from a reputable weaving store. I washed it a couple more times today but it still feels rough. I fretted over the colors too. I like the colors side-by-side and they even looked good in straight 1/3 and 3/1twill. But this is a block twill from a profile draft of cats tracks and snail trails, and the colors don't do so well this way. I'm so disappointed. I know I can use the fabric for something else, but to have both the color and the yarn not work is a real bummer.

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 00:39

Artistry

Tina, What a bummer! I googled " how to soften cotton fabric" and several methods popped up. Maybe something you read there will work? Good luck Cathie
Wed, 10/30/2013 - 00:55

Weavingholiday

That is disappointing!

Is there a chance that overdyeing might somehow bring the colours around?

Do you think it might work as a carriage cover or simialr if you did a lining and maybe edging in something soft like flanelette?

Hope you can find a solution!

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 13:12

sequel (not verified)

I agree with the observations that there has been a change in 8/2 cottons.  I've switched to the kind that comes on spools (Yarn Barn, Maurice Brassard) instead of cones (Halcyon Homestead, UKI, Spectrum) or even better - Dragon Tales, sooooo soft!  The spooled cotton seems to have a somewhat higher twist and softer fibers.  Be sure to check the spools though.  If you pull from the "wrong" end it will add twist (and trouble) to your warp threads as you wind.

 

To check for twist balance, unspool about 4 feet from the top of the spool.  Hold the spool end and the cut end together and see if it twists around itself.  If it does,  cut the yarn at the spool and turn the spool over and try the other end. Mark the end of the spool that adds the least amount of twist to form and always pull from that end.

Wed, 10/30/2013 - 15:56

laurafry

I always pull my yarn off the end of the tube - rarely have I found it to be a problem.  However, because I like things to be consistent, I always pull off the tube from the same direction, in my case counter clockwise. 

I'm from Canada and as such have the most experience with the yarns supplied by Brassard.  The 2/8 cotton from Brassard is ring spun, most likely combed, very smooth.  The 'usual' 8/2 unmerc. cotton available in the US is open end spun, with fewer twists per inch than the Canadian cotton.  Yarn Barn of Kansas does carry the smoother yarn - look in the description for 'suitable for warp'.  Also WEBS carries a similar quality called EIGHT/TWO.

(I still have a few copies of A Good Yarn:  Cotton left if anyone is interested.  PM me for details)

cheers,

Laura