In this post, we’re going to delve into the essential steps of washing, drying, and steaming your crochet projects. Proper care for your crochet items is crucial to ensure they maintain their shape, durability, and overall appearance. Welcome to Crochet Basics! I’m Valeria, and this series is dedicated to helping you master the art of crocheting your own clothing.

Previously, we covered how to choose the best crochet hook, the right yarn for your project, how to achieve the perfect tension, and how to hold the crochet hook and the yarn. Please check out those posts before applying any suggested information to this post, lots of knowledge is built on the previous concepts, without knowing those, my advice might not work for you. For example, if you crochet your clothes with nylon, you cannot steam it as I suggest here, it will simply melt.

Now, let’s focus on the final steps that will keep your crochet creations looking beautiful and lasting longer.

ALL OF CROCHET BASICS:

The Importance of Proper Care for Crochet Items

Washing, drying, and steaming are vital steps in the crochet process. These actions not only help maintain the integrity of your project but also ensure it stays true to its intended shape and size. Whether you’re working on a delicate lace top or a cozy winter scarf, the way you care for your crochet items will significantly impact their longevity and look.

WASHING

Choosing the Right Detergent

The first step in washing your crochet sample is selecting the right detergent. Here’s what you need to know:

• Hand Washing Detergents: Choose a gentle detergent specifically designed for delicate fabrics. Options like detergents for silk, baby clothes, or lingerie are excellent choices.
• Machine Washing Detergents: If you prefer machine washing, ensure your detergent is suitable for use in washing machines and gentle on delicate fabrics.

Make sure to select a detergent that you trust and feel comfortable using, as this will help ensure the best care for your crochet items.

Washing Your Crochet Sample & Finished Crochet Clothing

It’s essential to wash your crochet sample before you start crocheting your clothes, as this helps you understand how the yarn behaves with water and detergent. There are two main methods: using a washing machine or washing by hand.

Machine Washing

If your washing machine has a setting for delicate items such as lingerie or silk, this can be an ideal option. These settings typically use cold or lukewarm water and a gentle cycle. Follow these steps:

1. Use a Lingerie Bag: Place your crochet sample in a zippered lingerie bag to protect it from getting tangled or damaged.
2. Select the Right Setting: Choose the delicate or gentle cycle with cold or lukewarm water.
3. Avoid High Spin Speeds: High spin speeds can stretch and distort your crochet work, so opt for a low spin setting.

If your washing machine doesn’t have these options, it’s best to wash your sample by hand.

Hand Washing

Hand washing is a safe and effective method for cleaning your crochet samples. Here’s how to do it:

1. Fill a Bowl with Water: Use cold or lukewarm water and add a small amount of your chosen detergent.
2. Dissolve the Detergent: Stir the water to ensure the detergent is fully dissolved.
3. Wash the Sample: Submerge your crochet sample and gently move it around in the water. Avoid rubbing or wringing, as this can damage the fibers.
4. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the sample in clean water until all detergent is removed.

Consistency is Key

Consistency in washing methods is crucial. If you start by hand washing your sample, continue hand washing the final garment. Similarly, if you machine wash your sample, continue using the machine for the final product. This ensures the garment maintains its structure and shape.

You can shrink (or stretch) your crocheted clothing if you wash your crochet sample by hand and then end up washing the finished garment in the washing machine. Of course it will depend on the yarn and crocheted pattern, but I do recommend you not to play with this around. Do not ask me how I know! lol

DRYING

Horizontal Drying for Crochet Sample

Use a light-colored fabric to dry your sample, as some yarns may bleed color. Follow these steps:

1. Lay Flat to Dry: Place your crochet sample on a clean, light-colored towel or fabric.
2. Shape the Sample: Gently stretch and shape your sample to its original shape.
3. Check for Color Bleeding: Light fabrics will show any color transfer from the yarn, helping you choose the right lining for your finished garment.

4. Allow it to air dry completely: avoiding direct sunlight which can fade colors.

Vertical Drying for FINISHED GARMENT or “mid-project”

For larger garments like dresses or skirts, hang them vertically to ensure even drying and prevent distortion while wearing.
If you skip this step of vertical drying, and neither stretch your garment while steaming, let’s say a silk dress can grow on you while you are out and about. I experienced coming out in a mini dress and coming back in a maxi…

Of course, it will always depend on the yarn and the size of the garment (a dress will always stretch more under its own weight than a crochet top). But it is not something I would recommend experiencing. Unless you are going to the beach, and might not care much…

Use a thread through the crocheted holes or a long needle to support the garment. This method ensures the garment stretches evenly (follow the video to see how I recommend hanging heavy crochet clothing).

STEAMING

Steaming Your Crochet Sample

Steaming helps set the shape and size of your crochet project, making it look professional and well-finished. Here’s how to steam your crochet sample:

1. Use the Right Temperature: For natural fibers like cotton, silk, or linen, use the corresponding setting on your iron. For blends, choose a moderate temperature.
2. Stretch and Steam: Gently stretch your sample to the desired shape and steam it using an iron with a steam function.
3. Check for Shape: Make sure the sample maintains its shape, square is supposed to be square, etc.

Steaming Your Crochet Clothing

I use steaming at various stages of the project. It helps me get reassurance that my calculations based on the crochet sample were correct, and the final garment will not only fit me right but will also look like I imagined.
After I finish my crochet clothing I give very nice steam, following the exact steps I have described above for the steaming of the crochet sample. 

After I start using my crochet garment, washing and drying it as described above I noticed that I do not need to steam it as often. Of course, it will always depend on the yarn, the type of garment, and for sure your taste. Just be observant and choose what you like to see and how your garment is behaving.

Applying the Same Care to Your Finished Garment

Once your sample is ready, apply the same washing, drying, and steaming techniques to your finished garment. Consistency is key to maintaining the structure and appearance of your crochet items. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Match the Method: If you washed your sample by hand, do the same for the final garment. If you used the machine, continue with that method.
• Drying Techniques: Always dry your finished garments vertically.
• Steam your finished garment as needed: After you finish crocheting your clothing, you wash it, dry it, and steam it profoundly, then watch out if you will need any steaming in the future.

Conclusion

Proper care for your crochet projects is essential to keep them looking their best. By washing and steaming your crochet samples and applying the same technique to the final garments correctly, you’ll ensure they remain beautiful and durable. Experiment with these techniques, observe the results and adjust as necessary to achieve the perfect finish for your creations.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below. Happy crocheting!

FAQs