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Eight Tips for Drying Your Knits Outside
Take advantage of the great outdoors to pamper your handknits!
As a lifelong knitter, I’ve needed to hand wash and dry garments on many occasions. I’ve discovered how various fibers react through my work with creating outdoor yarn installations and by using natural dyes to create color in textiles. In each aspect of my creative practice, I’ve learned something valuable about how to work with the natural elements of sun, wind, and heat.
Drying your knits outside is a wonderful way to engage in a sustainable act while doing something good for your knits. Here are some hints to help you make the most of the process.
Lightly misting your swatches before air-drying is a great way to test the color fastness of your yarns. Photos courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted
Out to Dry
There are many advantages to drying knits outside. In addition to the benefits outdoor air brings to your actual knitted piece, it is a bonus to be able to make use of nature’s resources. The free, renewable energy of sunshine and fresh air is good for you and good for the environment. And taking your freshly-washed knits outside is a great way to start a conversation with the neighbors!
Here are 8 tips and tricks to help you make the most of the experience.
1) Consider the benefits of air-drying your knits
Air-drying maintains the shape of the knit, reduces static cling, and minimizes the need for ironing. It also increases the life of the knit because there is less wear and tear on the fibers than using a conventional in-home dryer. The fresh smell of a knit newly dried outside is almost indescribably delicious: much better than the smells of food cooking, fireplaces, and other indoor scents!
2) Know the rules before you begin
Some condominium and homeowner associations restrict people from using clotheslines or other clothes-hanging mechanisms in their yards. It’s worthwhile to check your town’s ordinances to make sure that you can freely hang your knitted items outside without a problem.
3) Capitalize on nature’s good drying days
Cloudy with a chance of rain? Bright sun with no cloud cover? Intense heat and humidity? Gusty winds? The results of your drying will be affected by the weather conditions, so make sure you carefully consider the elements. Knits placed outside for many hours in direct sun will fade, especially those made of yarn blended with silk or linen. For the best results, choose a day with mild temperatures and partial sun.
Be sure to spot-check surfaces to make sure they are clean before hanging pieces to dry.
4) Dry in the shade whenever possible
Direct sunlight is destructive to both organic and synthetic materials, and dampness can encourage the growth of fungi, bacteria, and other pests that feed on textile fibers. Avoid humidity and extremely high temperatures to allow your knits to dry thoroughly.
The tiniest sweater drying in the indirect sunlight.
As a lifelong knitter, I’ve needed to hand wash and dry garments on many occasions. I’ve discovered how various fibers react through my work with creating outdoor yarn installations and by using natural dyes to create color in textiles. In each aspect of my creative practice, I’ve learned something valuable about how to work with the natural elements of sun, wind, and heat.
Drying your knits outside is a wonderful way to engage in a sustainable act while doing something good for your knits. Here are some hints to help you make the most of the process.
Lightly misting your swatches before air-drying is a great way to test the color fastness of your yarns. Photos courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted
Out to Dry
There are many advantages to drying knits outside. In addition to the benefits outdoor air brings to your actual knitted piece, it is a bonus to be able to make use of nature’s resources. The free, renewable energy of sunshine and fresh air is good for you and good for the environment. And taking your freshly-washed knits outside is a great way to start a conversation with the neighbors!
Here are 8 tips and tricks to help you make the most of the experience.
1) Consider the benefits of air-drying your knits
Air-drying maintains the shape of the knit, reduces static cling, and minimizes the need for ironing. It also increases the life of the knit because there is less wear and tear on the fibers than using a conventional in-home dryer. The fresh smell of a knit newly dried outside is almost indescribably delicious: much better than the smells of food cooking, fireplaces, and other indoor scents!
2) Know the rules before you begin
Some condominium and homeowner associations restrict people from using clotheslines or other clothes-hanging mechanisms in their yards. It’s worthwhile to check your town’s ordinances to make sure that you can freely hang your knitted items outside without a problem.
3) Capitalize on nature’s good drying days
Cloudy with a chance of rain? Bright sun with no cloud cover? Intense heat and humidity? Gusty winds? The results of your drying will be affected by the weather conditions, so make sure you carefully consider the elements. Knits placed outside for many hours in direct sun will fade, especially those made of yarn blended with silk or linen. For the best results, choose a day with mild temperatures and partial sun.
Be sure to spot-check surfaces to make sure they are clean before hanging pieces to dry.
4) Dry in the shade whenever possible
Direct sunlight is destructive to both organic and synthetic materials, and dampness can encourage the growth of fungi, bacteria, and other pests that feed on textile fibers. Avoid humidity and extremely high temperatures to allow your knits to dry thoroughly.
The tiniest sweater drying in the indirect sunlight.
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5) Consider your drying surface
Think about your knitted piece and how you want to arrange it for drying. Does it need to be prepared in such a way that it doesn’t stretch out of shape? There are many suitable pieces of equipment to use such as a drying rack, a clothesline, a hanger, a fence, a towel over a hedge, a few smooth rocks, or a cardboard box. Shawl and sock blockers are ideal for this. Whatever you choose, make sure the surface is clean with no dirt, rust, or dyes that could transfer and cause stains.
6) Prepare your knit to dry
When you wash your knitted object, use a gentle soap designed for hand knits, such as Eucalan, or even some organic baby shampoos. A little bit goes a long way, so make sure you read the manufacturer’s guidelines for your brand of soap. Using too much can make the fabric stiff. Before drying outside, remove as much excess water as possible by placing the knit in a soft absorbent towel and gently rolling it up.
A cardboard box can work well for shaping.
7) Check and double-check the drying process
Once you’ve placed your knitting outside to dry, check on it frequently. Outside conditions can change rapidly, and anything can happen: a gust of wind can knock your knit to the ground, or changing sun angles can expose your knit to possible color fading. Protect your knit by peeking at it from time to time: drying times will vary based on the size of the piece, the fiber used, and the knitted material itself. Dense cables take longer to dry than knitted lace. While you’re at it, pull up a chair and enjoy the good weather. And remember—never leave your knits outside overnight!
8) Inspect your knit before bringing it back inside
Thoroughly check your item to make sure an insect did not make its home in the fibers while it was out in the elements. And the knit should be completely dry before storing it. If it feels slightly damp, you may need to take it back out to dry on another day.
Why dry outside? Because it’s a win-win-win: good for you, good for the environment, and good for your knits. Give it a try! Your knits will thank you.
Marsha Borden writes, knits, makes art, and tracks terrapins on the shoreline in Guilford, Connecticut. She has written about paper needlebooks and other subjects for PieceWork magazine and the PieceWork website.
