How to soften wool yarn

Sometimes, wool can become too rough after multiple uses and washes. (ball wool image by Sidoroff from Fotolia.com)

Whether it's after a few years of washing your favourite sweater, hat, scarf or other woollen item too many times, or you've miscalculated how your new knitting project was going to feel with frequent use, it's disappointing to have to resign yourself that your knitwear is too scratchy. Though you can buy products made specifically to soften wool, there are things you can do with products you may already own to achieve the same result -- whether it's with a clothing item or wool yarn before you've begun to knit or crochet.

Fill your sink basin or bath with 948 to 1185 ml (4 to 5 cups) of lukewarm or cold water -- depending on the size of your wool yarn item.

Conditioner works on wool as it does with hair. (toilet ries. bottles of conditioner and soap image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com)

Add in gentle shampoo or cleanser, if the item needs to be washed. Otherwise, mix in conditioner until it dissolves. You can add in 1 tbsp of white vinegar if you're washing first, to take the rough edge off the soap, though it's up to you and your situation.

Squeeze water gently through wool fibres and swish around in the conditioner solution for a minute or two. Then, let it sit for five to 10 minutes.

Press out the water again, and do not rinse out.

Lay yarn or wool items flat on a towel to dry. (striped towel 1 image by Dana nicolescu from Fotolia.com)

Roll yarn or clothing item out on a towel and place another towel on top. Press it down to get as much water out as you can. Then, lay it flat on top of another towel to air-dry.