Itchy wool

[Eujeankilt]

I'm the proud owner of a new Newsome box pleat and I dearly love it, but it is rather itchy. I've seen it alluded to on various posts, but I'll ask it right out.

Has anyone heard of a way to make it less so? Has anyone tried hand washing in Woolite to this end? Did it make any difference?

I asked Matt and he wasn't sure but thought the Woolite might help.


Thanks,

Dale

[cavscout]

Sorry, I can't give advise but I'm curious if this is your first wool kilt? I have a wool stillwater and have not noticed it being itchy.

[Skweres]

i have a wool house of edgar and its not itchy at all

[Fearnest]

I wonder if the weight/weaver might have something to do with it...

Do you have problems with other wool garments? Sometimes I'll find a woolen sweater itchy, but a woolen sock or trou$er is OK - and I think it's from the way the fabric is finished.

[Tattoo Bradley]

This about that gorgeous MacDonald of Glencoe?? You know... the obvious choice would be to trade it to me for my SWK Econo kilt.

But seriously, I have three wool kilts... one of which is the Matt Newsome box pleat made from Lochcarron 16oz. strome. I haven't had much, if any, itch problems. One thing though, I'll go ahead and blow the mystery open. I choose to wear boxer shorts with that one. More than anything, for cleanliness purposes. But, it seems if the bum were to itch from the wool this could help as well?

[Barb T.]

Some people are just sensitive to the little fibers that stick out of every wool thread. My dad, for instance, can't even wear a wool sweater over a shirt - makes him itchy.

Many of my piper friends wear bike shorts under their kilts, particularly in the summer when the itchiness seems to be worse in the heat when you're sweaty marching around in a parade playing the pipes.

Barb

[Riverkilt]

I don't know what I'm talking about, just speculation here.

If you take a textile glass, or a good magnifying glass, or any close up lens and look at the wool you'll see what makes you itch....little fibers that stick up.

For me, the best way to get rid of the itchy effect - if you feel it - is to take the pain and wear the kilt a LOT. Wearing it a lot will both get you used to the feeling of the tiny fibers that poke out, it will probably also bend or push them down so they don't stick out so much.

So, grit thy teeth, kilt up, and suffer until the pain passes.

Ron
Whose wool kilts don't itch

[Colin]

My 8 yard kilt (Marton Mills wool) was itchy the first time I wore it, but I haven't noticed it since.

[starbkjrus]

I'm with Ron and Colin. One of my wool kilts was itchy when I first got it. Now after several wearings not so much. It seems that those little fibers either get tamed or rub off or something. (See how much technical knowledge I have about fabrics? )

[thescot]

Ron, Colin, and Dee nailed it. The best answer is wearing.

For those who are unaccustomed to real wool, the feeling is just plain itchy at first. With wearing, it gets better.

My wool regimmental tams ate my forehead up the first few times I wore them. Even now, after a few years, they still give me a little itch now and then.