Hi Muffy, Just found your blog a week or two ago. Very enjoyable read, and I like the pictures. I am curious about your ratio of cotton to wool sweaters. It seems you have a preference for cotton, but this may not be the case. What is the rationale for your preference? Thank you.
Dear Muffy, How do you prevent navy cotton clothing from fading in the wash? I have a navy cotton sweater that's just two years old and it's already looking shabby. I've noticed that other navy cotton clothing articles are also fading. Thank you in advance.
The only reason I have more cotton sweaters than wool is because they are much easier to find. I would love to buy more wool, but the pickings are very slim for women. I can no longer find classically styled, well constructed wool sweaters.
Regarding care, I first have to say that my sweaters get a lot of hard use. Just today, dropping off a copy of the book and a check for our CSA at our friend's farm with my husband, I realized just how much wear my sweaters get:
I can't walk by a paddock of animals. (And I do love the source of wool.)
I have to say hello.
And it is always good to be thought of as part of the pack of a farm's future protector of the sheep.
Then I have to do it over again on the way out, to the amusement of the farmer (and friend of fifteen years).
In my experience, a certain amount of fading after washing is inevitable. One piece of conventional wisdom is to turn sweaters inside out when washing, then air dry. When I have used this method, while it does slow the fading, my navy sweaters come out with a light coating of lint, especially down outside crease of the arm.
Ultimately, I rather like the look of faded navy (whether it be hats, jackets or sweaters), want to wear my sweaters comfortably, and hate picking off lint. So now I hold back as long as possible, and then just throw them in with other dark items, put them in the dryer for about 15 minutes, then air dry. (Although sometimes I forget and leave them in for the entire cycle, which happily hasn't really been a problem.)
21 comments:
I agree, faded navy is so pretty. At first I thought your dog was a goat - silly me.
There is a Woolite for dark clothing. You can put dark cotton sweaters in on delicate (at least that is what I do). The fading is minimal.
I love cotton and wool sweaters. I am a knitter and I have more wool sweaters (I like the feel of the wool as it goes through my fingers more than the cotton because cotton does not have the give or pull that wool does.).
@Joy C. - So funny. I can see why one would expect to see a goat. That is their new farm puppy.
I was going to mention Woolite Dark, but I see S.P. beat me to it. Laundry bags are also helpful when washing sweaters - they seem to prevent some of the odd creases from forming.
My navy cotton Lands' End drifter crewneck has gradually developed a nice fade, but I finally got sick of the bad shape retention. Can only wear a couple of times and it needs to be shrunk in the wash again.
I spoke with a Woolite rep in Costco once. They were giving out samples. He told me that there is virtually no difference between regular Woolite and Woolite Dark. They are both extremely gentle, but it gives them more shelf space and makes people feel better psychologically. Now I just buy regular Woolite, and I haven't detected any discernable difference in my dark clothing.
After reading the remark by Anonymous, I guess I can scratch Woolite Dark off my grocery list. I wash my dark sweaters and clothing in Woolite Dark (until now! I guess I'll use regular Woolite).
I miss being able to find wool sweaters. Most of my sweaters are cotton because as Muffy mentioned, cotton sweaters are easier to find.
To add to my wool sweater selection I have purchased several Dale of Norway (or equivalent) over the years. You can order them from Gorsuch or you can pick them up at that great Scandinavian shop in Portland, Maine on your way up north. (this is an early pre-caffeine post, I will remember the name later?)
Enjoy!
The fondness for "faded navy" strikes a resonant note.
Have you noticed that many of the Prep treasures are things that sow signs of being around for a long time?
The favorite LLB chamois may be literally decades old, but the most comfortable item you own. The Harris tweed from JP has elbow patches because of holes in the elbows, and not because of style. Still a favorite, that many would have moved on.
The old dog with the creaky joints gives you unconditional love, with every beat of his heart.
Sometimes "faded" is the mark of a treasure, or so it seems.
I couldn't agree more. I always turn my sweaters inside out and lay them flat to dry. It's a bothersome process, but it does save the color. I wash my sweaters alone though and always in cold water for the dark colors.
Actually, did you know you don't need to use detergent at all if you are washing your sweaters alone? I have an aversion to perfumey (is that even a word?)smells on my clothing. However, if I'm near animals (usually horses) I do throw in a small shot or two of detergent. I particularly like Costco's "environmentally friendly" detergent. Very lightly scented and no funky dye or coloring to it.
I recently found out I'm allergic to wool. How's that for a kick in the pants? There goes a fortune in cashmere and some darn cute sweaters and scarves. I can't even wear them over something else. Who would have thought after all these years?
Muffy,
The sheep look like something out of a Jamie Wyeth painting! Love you Patagonia vest!
Loved the pictures, as always! I'm a fan of wool myself. Cotton is great for summer clothes, but I'm always aware that it is a "thirsty" plant and not entirely environmentally friendly--although much better than synthetic items.
Caring for wool garments: I always hand wash my lambswool sweaters then I place them in a washing machine for the spin cycle only. I either lay them on a flat surface or place them on a hanger away from direct sunlight. I have never had one fade.
Finding great wool knitwear for men & women: The House of Bruar in Scotland have a great range of knitwear at reasonable prices. They're very good to deal with too. See www.houseofbruar.com
Never put wool sweaters in the washing machine, especially if they are real Norwegian sweaters (you'll wash out the lanolin, aside from just generally destroying the garment). Never put cashmere in the washing machine. Hand wash your cotton sweaters if you don't want fading. You can put your hand washed sweaters in the spin cycle of your washing machine to get the excess liquid out. I use Ivory or Dr. Bonner's to wash my sweaters.
Muffy, I enjoy your blog so much. It's so great to see that somewhere in the world people still have traditional values and are fond of a simple way of life, which to me includes spending time with animals :) Your photos keep getting better and better, and this post was no exception. Congratulations!!!
To dry wool sweaters -- I put them in the washer in cold/gentle -- I spread them on a large towel, then roll it up one way, then the other (tube, then nautilus shell). That gets enough moisture out to dry them flat.
I should wash my LL Bean norwegian! It's a cardigan and probably shouldn't be hanging on a hook...
I wouldn't worry so much about fading. After all clothing is to be utilized. So what's a little fading? It shows that you have finally broken the garment. A broken garment is like an old friend, it is reliable, took years to bond and just feels right. Fading is tres Prep. Crisp and colorfast garments in my mind are meant for advertisements and mannequins, not people.
Warf Rat understands what it's all about.
Slainte
Hi Muffy - I finished the book. Very powerful. I'm loaning it tomorrow to my former principal. I actually sent you an email while midway through the book. Hope you're having a great evening. xoxo
@Preppy 101 - Thank you! Thank you also for your email. I apologize for being so late in my response, as I have been out of pocket. I will be catching up shortly.
Muffy, I cheated.
I've been one to avoid cotton sweaters due to problems I've had with them holding their shape and a lack of longevity. I'm in my early 40's and hadn't had one in probably 20 years. Until now.
I was at a thrift shop the other day looking for odd vintage items like Sero shirts to add character to my wardrobe. I saw a RL navy cotton crewneck hanging on the rack. It was slightly faded but otherwise looked like new. Hmm!
After washing and giving it time to air dry, I am wearing it this Sunday morning. I have it over a Brooks white Oxford buttondown shirt, along with khakis and loafers.
I usually wear lambswool or cashmere. This is a different look and I love it. There's no shame in wearing navy cotton. It's its own thing. This RL sweater is better made than the cotton sweaters I used to wear. I suspect it'll hold its shape better too.
Now, I need to decide if I want to buy a new one.
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