Knitting pattern for Winter Pastel Cap by Pastelkollektivet

General washing instructions

Wash gently by hand or on a dedicated wool/hand-wash cycle at max. 30°C / 85°F. Use a low spin speed: max. 800 rpm if adjustable, or Low where the options are Low / Medium / High.

Always dry flat. See the yarn instructions and exceptions in the table below.

Start with a swatch

Wash and dry your swatch like the finished piece. Measure gauge only when completely dry; washing and shaping can change appearance and dimensions.

When combining yarns, follow the gentlest care instructions. Test strong colour contrasts in the same swatch; otherwise, keep light and dark knits separate when washing and drying.

Choose the right detergent

Use mild liquid detergent without enzymes or bleach, suitable for all fibres. Choose wool detergent for wool, angora, mohair and cashmere. For knits containing silk, it must also suit silk. For Önling No 14 and No 21 alone, mild delicates detergent is suitable.

In Denmark, we recommend: Neutral Uld & Finvask; Sonett Olivenvaskemiddel til uld og silke Sensitive; or Ecover Uld & Silke (Delicate). Always check the current label. Follow the dosage on the packaging, and do not use fabric softener.

How to hand-wash

1. Wash gently in plenty of lukewarm water, max. 30°C / 85°F, with detergent. Gently press the knit down into the water. Do not rub, wring or stretch.

2. Rinse gently in clean, lukewarm water, max. 30°C / 85°F. A suitable no-rinse detergent may be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Support the whole piece when lifting. Roll in a clean, dry towel and gently press out water. Use this method especially for hand-wash-only yarns.

How to machine-wash

Always test the wool cycle on a swatch. Without a dedicated wool/hand-wash cycle, hand-wash. A regular delicates cycle is not a wool cycle.

Avoid large temperature changes between washing and rinsing, as these can cause wool to felt. Use the towel method instead of spinning if preferred. With rinse hold, drain without spinning. Follow the machine's instructions and remove the knit promptly after washing.

Soaking before the first wash

Find the soaking time in the table below. Place finished knits and swatches in plenty of water without detergent, max. 30°C / 85°F. Keep them submerged and undisturbed. Do not soak yarn in balls, skeins or on cones.

Drain the water and gently press out excess water without wringing. Then wash as instructed. Soaking in water does not replace washing.

Önling No 12, No 13 and No 16 are supplied unwashed after spinning. The first treatment is part of finishing. If soaking continues beyond about 24 hours, replace all the water. This also applies to Hverdagskittet with No 12 and No 13.

This treatment allows Önling No 16 to bloom and soften, and softens the fibres in Önling No 21. Önling No 1, No 2, No 3, No 4, No 10 and No 20 are washed at the mills.

Drying and blocking

Dry flat and fully supported on a blocking mat or dry towel on a moisture-resistant surface. Gently shape while damp and check the measurements. Blocking means shaping, not stretching larger. Use rustproof blocking pins when the pattern calls for them.

Allow air to circulate, replace wet towels and leave to dry completely. Avoid hangers, washing lines, radiators, strong direct sunlight and tumble dryers.

Between washes and for odours

Air wool knits overnight or for a few hours outdoors in slightly damp weather, flat or well supported. Let them rest between uses to regain their shape. Airing can remove smoke and cooking smells. Wash if stained, dirty or persistently smelly.

For spinning-oil odours in unwashed yarns, follow the yarn instructions for the first treatment and subsequent washing with wool detergent.

Fluff and pilling

Pilling is mainly caused by friction. Remove pills only as needed with a suitable tool, testing an inconspicuous area first. Take care with airy, loosely knitted and long-haired knits. Wool combs and fabric shavers are not recommended routinely for all yarns.

Storage

Store knits folded, clean and completely dry. Protect wool knits and yarn from moths, for example in a clean, sealed container, and check the contents regularly.

YARN GUIDE

Washing: Max. 30°C / 85°F. Wool cycle: max. 800 rpm or Low. Dry flat. Soaking: Finished knits and swatches only, in water without detergent. Do not soak yarn in balls, skeins or on cones. Wash afterwards.